It has been a long time since I've posted. Things have been hectic the last few months. I continue to serve as the Transitional Pastor of Westport Baptist Church, our online auction business is doing very well, and we've had some family situations that have taken much of our attention. I guess you could say it has been a normal life for a bivocational minister!
This past week was a very busy one at the church. We had a deacon meeting, a business meeting, and I was scheduled to conduct a wedding and a funeral on Saturday. What a privilege to be able to serve a congregation in this way. Yes, it was a challenge as it required a good deal of time, but it was much more of a blessing to be involved in the life of a congregation and to participate in the lives of individuals and families in such transitional times in their lives. I feel like I am the most blessed person on the face of the earth that I can minister on behalf of God to such a great church.
All ministry has its challenges. Serving in a denominational role for 14 years makes me aware that some ministries are more challenging than others. However, those challenges pale in comparison to the blessings that come with ministry. For any minister to consider that Almighty God, creator of the universe and God over all He created, called him or her to ministry should humble us. For 41 years I have served in ministry, and many times I have wondered why God would have called me to such a place. I cannot answer that, but I can affirm that I am thankful that He did. Apart from my relationship with God and my family, nothing has brought me greater joy than the ministries with which He has entrusted to me.
The working title for my first book was The Joy of Bivocational Ministry. The publisher changed the title but left that as the subtitle. A pastor friend of mine saw the title and remarked that he did not see how bivocational ministry could be considered joyful. I tried to explain to him the joys I have known in such ministry, but he never understood.
Besides the opportunity to serve wonderful churches in a pastoral role, I have had the privilege of ministering to hundreds of pastors and church leaders in various denominations through conferences, workshops and seminars. The vast majority of those speaking engagements were focused on bivocational ministry. Nearly 3,500 people have downloaded my doctoral thesis on Coaching Bivocational Ministers for Greater Ministry Effectiveness. If you want to read that without all the requirements that go into a doctoral thesis I rewrote and published it with the title The Art and Practice of Bivocational Ministry. This past week I was privileged to speak to a class at the Houston Baptist Theological Seminary and answer their questions about bivocational ministry.
Over the years I've heard many complain about the difficulties in ministry. A recent Barna survey found that 38% of pastors have considered leaving the ministry due to the difficulties they have faced. Yes, ministry can be quite challenging sometimes, but it is also the most rewarding thing anyone will ever do.
Every Sunday as I begin the 45 minute drive to the church I'm serving I thank God for the opportunity to serve this church as their Transitional Pastor. I consider it an honor to be allowed to speak to them regarding God's Word and to be allowed to enter their lives. My prayer is that you feel the same way about the ministry God has given you.
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