Transferable skill sets

While traveling recently I listened to a Dave Ramsey podcast I had downloaded onto my I-Pod.  One caller had left a teaching job due to serious hip problems making it impossible for her to stand for extended periods of time.  She called asking what she might do to return to the work force.  Ramsey responded by asking how might she find other ways to use her skills and passion for teaching in other areas.  He explained she might consider starting a tutoring business so she could better control her work hours and conditions.  She could consider teaching on-line courses.  Perhaps she could further her education qualifying her to teach at a university.  His point was that she had skills that were very transferable and she just needed to determine which options appealed the most to her.

The podcast was very timely because I was on the road to meet a pastor who wanted to talk to me about what a transition to bivocational ministry might look like.  He had read a recent blog post of mine that challenged fully-funded pastors to recognize that many churches are already transitioning to bivocational ministers and more are expected to do so in the near future.  He wanted to discuss what that might look like for him if things were to change in his ministry. 

This is a conversation I've had with several pastors in the past couple of years.  One of the main concerns these ministers have is what they would do for a second job.  Some tell me that ministry is all they know and all they've been trained to do.  They seem a little stunned when I remind them of all that ministry involves.  Pastors teach, they counsel, they deal with conflict, they administer the affairs of an organization, they lead, they manage staff (either paid or volunteer), they work with a range of age groups, they fund raise, they do research, they cast vision and set goals, they provide comfort to hurting and frightened people, they are cheerleaders, they influence the thinking of others, and the list goes on.  All of these are transferable skills into other types of jobs.  The only thing a minister has to do when transitioning from a fully-funded position to a bivocational one is to determine which of these many tasks he or she is doing as a ministry is the most rewarding and is there a market for that where they live.

Many bivocational ministers work as teachers in schools, universities, and seminaries.  As more schools increase the number of online courses they offer I anticipate seeing many bivocational ministers teaching those courses.  Such a position would provide them with great flexibility and enable them to have more control over their schedule.  Such flexibility is wonderful for the bivocational minister. 

Bivocational ministers who have degrees in counseling can often find opportunities working for Christian counseling organizations.  Others find work with social agencies.  I know one bivocational minister who now directs an organization that works with troubled young people.  It is the perfect setting for a minister who once served as a youth pastor, and he is flourishing in this role and providing excellent pastoral ministry to his church.

We could go on citing other examples, but the bottom line is that many of the things we do as ministers can easily transfer into secular employment if we find it necessary to become bivocational.  Again, it's a matter of determining among all the things we do as clergypersons what brings us the most enjoyment and is obviously a strength of ours and then looking to see if there are employment opportunities available in our communities that would allow us to do those things.  Fortunately, the individual with whom I was meeting had already asked those questions of himself.  He presented to me a number of options that would be available for him if he became bivocational.  If that day should come he will be well on his way to a healthy transition.  Would you?