Pastor Matt MacNaughton is back on the Bootcamp to talk further about bi-vocational ministry. This time we are also joined but Pastor Colin Pugh. Collin pastors Clinton Baptist Church in the D.C. area.
Maintaining Spiritual Appetite and Pastoral Grit: Colin emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with God, especially in the challenges of bi-vocational ministry. He highlights key verses from Jude (20-21) as instrumental in his spiritual growth. JimBo explores how Colin managed the high expectations of pastoring two churches and the importance of maintaining energy and spiritual vitality.
Serving Your Spouse: The guys discuss practical ways to serve and support their wives amid busy and demanding schedules, highlighting the significance of intentional communication and quality time.
Shared Leadership: Matt shares strategies for bivocational pastors, including determining priorities, developing leaders, and delegating responsibilities to create margin for essential tasks. Colin emphasizes the role of small groups, one-on-one meetings, and showing appreciation for small wins in developing leaders within the church.
Pastor Matt MacNaughton returns to the bootcamp for this episode as we survey and explore the landscape of bi-vocational ministry. Here at the Bootcamp we know that if we will listen to the field it will lead us to the future and Matt says that bi-vocational ministry is the future of the church. We would love to listen to you. Take a couple of minutes and fill out this survey: https://su.vc/bivosurvey
Hey Bootcampers, we hope all is well with you and yours! The guys took some time during the deep freeze and snow to talk about leadership styles as defined by the Leadership Guru himself, Patrick Lencioni. His organization, The Table Group, does a great job of defining leadership styles and how they work together for good in organizations and even churches.
In this EP the boys break down the six types of working Genius and talk about how they might play out in the life of your church.
WONDER
People with the Genius of Wonder love to speculate and question. They ask questions like, “Why are things the way they are? Is there a better way?” They love to sit in the ambiguity and imagine the possibilities. People with the Genius of Wonder help create the conditions for Invention.
INVENTION
People with the Genius of Invention get joy from taking challenges and generating solutions. They enjoy innovating from scratch and love a blank whiteboard or piece of paper on which they can brainstorm. Invention is the most commonly recognized Genius but all six Geniuses are needed to get work done.
DISCERNMENT
People with the Genius of Discernment have a natural ability to evaluate the workability of ideas. They are good curators of what’s going on around them and can recognize patterns. They know how to connect the dots and give people good feedback across a broad range of topics.
GALVANIZING
People with the Genius of Galvanizing love to get things moving. They are great at pushing people out of their comfort zone and inspiring them to get started. They enjoy rallying people around an idea and getting them moving in the right direction.
ENABLEMENT
People with the Genius of Enablement make things happen. They know how to help, when to help, and can flex to whatever the situation calls for. People with the Genius of Enablement are people-oriented and want to help realize a vision. This Genius provides the support needed to move solutions into the first stages of Implementation.
TENACITY
People with the Genius of Tenacity are task-oriented and love to take things across the finish line. They ensure a project is going to have the impact it’s supposed to have and lives up to agreed-upon standards. They don’t respond to the emotional appeal of the Galvanizer but to the need to see the work completed. They get joy and energy from checking off a box on the “to-do” list.
Do you know your style? Have a special insight or comment? Drop us a line and let us know. Get with our Genius sponsor, One Eighty Digital, they’ve got the know-how to get your web and social media game up to speed.
Well buckle up Bootcampers, this EP is tackling an important but also somewhat controversial issue—burnout in ministry.
The topic came up via a social media post where a quote was shared; “I have never met a burned-out pastor ready to quit that was deeply abiding in Christ.” – R. Blackaby
There were some hot sports opinions shared by many, the sum of which indicated that this is a touchy subject. The guys break down some nuances about ministry difficulty, discouragement, and burnout. In short, the ministry is challenging. Let’s get a working definition of burnout:
Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress. Sounds like ministry doesn’t it?
Here’s some good news, burnout is not a given, it is not inevitable.
We’re not going to load up the notes here, we do encourage you to listen and be open to seeing your challenges from a different vantage point.
Hey there Bootcampers, we are tackling an important issue in this EP-funding your ministry. There are a lot of opinions on funding and we break down some basics. In future EPs we’ll take the opportunity to dig a little deeper into some of the ins and outs of making ministry possible financially.
Let’s start with the basics: Funding Ministry
Single source – one church pays your salary
The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor,[b] especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,[c] and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”1 Timothy 5:16-18
Missions and ministry support
“And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel when I left Macedonia, no church entered into a partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases your credit. I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” (Phil 4:15-18)
Self-Funded – You work a job, if married your spouse may work a job to be able to do ministry
How many Pastors are bivocational? 60-80%? Our best guess
Today it is estimated that 60-65% of Southern Baptist churches are served by bivocational pastors.Founders Blog
Though we don’t have precise data, we estimate that there are over one million bi-vocational pastors and church staff in North America alone. Rainer – Church Answers
Bivocational – two jobs as a necessity to support your role as pastor not to burden the church
CoVocatioal – intentionally choosing to engage in a dual vocational role
“And he [Paul] found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.” (Acts 18:2-3)
“Or is it only Barnabas and me who have no right to refrain from working for a living?… If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ… What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.” (1 Cor 9:6, 11-12, 18)
Here’s a great quote from a fantastic article by Dr. Geoff Chang:
Spurgeon: The most practicable remedy is to find volunteer laborers who will not need maintenance from the people. This admirable remedy is already largely used, but not so largely as it might be. We have among us numbers of brethren engaged in handicrafts and professions who are endowed with gifts at least sufficient for the gathering of moderate congregations, and some of them display ability equal if not superior to the average of stipendiary pastors. It is an exceedingly great gain to the community when these brethren addict themselves to the ministry of the saints.
Are you serving as a bi-vocational or co-vocational pastor? We’d love to hear from you!
Get the web help you need from our great friends at One Eighty Digital, they’ve got the expertise to get your church’s social media and web presence heading in the right direction.
Happy 2024 Bootcamp crew! Welcome to the beginning of the new year, we’re praying for you! Check out this list of 8 critical questions you can ask as you plan for the coming year. We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a line, send us some feedback and submit your own questions!
Eight questions to ask as you plan your projects and priorities for 2024
Is this the right time to be making this change? Do I have the leadership capital for this change?
How does this project or priority help our church grow in love, unity, or maturity?
Are our priorities and projects focused more on God’s people and purpose or programs?
Is the issue at hand a biblical command or a missional context issue? (Think front seat of the car [identity] or back seat of the car [infrastructure] – see our previous episode on spiritual and organizational church health)
Does everything on our list of priorities, projects, and programs have a current value and purpose or are we just re-doing things because that is how we have done them before?
You might have questions about your website, check out what our good friends at One Eighty Digital can do to get you up and running. They have the know how and expertise to get you up and running and connecting with your community.
Hey there Bootcampers! We hope you had a great Christmas. We’re taking some time to reflect on the past year and the year to come and wanted to encourage you to engage in the same. Here are some thoughts related to a blog Jimbo read over at Practical Shepherding.
12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the LORD has helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. – 1 Samuel 7:12-13
As you close the door on 2023, think through your year in ministry. But be sure to factor in the most important part of ministry and Christ-following in general: faithfulness. Below are some questions to get you started:
Did I seek the Lord in His Word and in prayer regularly? Did God faithfully teach me from His Word and faithfully listen to me in prayer?
Did I respond to God’s love for me by loving others? Did God faithfully love me even when I didn’t?
Did I worry about ministry, finances, and church relationships? Was God faithful to carry me through my fears?
Did I pray for my church regularly? Did God faithfully soften my heart towards others and protect me from bitterness as I prayed?
Did I speak the gospel to both believers and unbelievers? Did God faithfully strengthen and uphold my own faith in the gospel?
Did my church express care for me and my family? Did God faithfully care for me and my family even if the church failed to do so?
Did I serve as unto the Lord, knowing that God faithfully sees what others don’t?
God will never stop being faithful to you, no matter how things are going in ministry and in life. It’s His very nature to be faithful to you. And you can lean on His faithfulness. It’s what upholds your own faithfulness. Paul encourages us this way, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord, your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58).
Because our ministry is done ultimately for, through, with, by, and to Christ, it can never be in vain. It’s never wasted, even if the metrics don’t look great through earthly eyes. Press on. Walk into this new year of labor knowing that God will faithfully walk with you every moment, every step. He is always faithful to you.
Think less about goals and more about your rhythms in ministry. Check out Andy Addis’ book by the same name.
Get your year started off in the right way by getting our good friends over at One Eighty Digital on your website and branding. They have the know-how and expertise to make this year a great one for you on the interwebs.
Hey there Bootcampers! We know this week has you busy wrapping up all sorts of things as you get ready for those Christmas Eve services and family gatherings. In this short EP the guys reminisce about some good ole 80s Contemporary Christian Music, share a few laughs and listen to Bob lament about his old BMW.
We pray that thru all the days ahead you feel the joy of the Lord, knowing that God sent his son, Jesus, to redeem and restore us into a right relationship with him.
Hey Bootcampers, thanks for joining us this week! Today after Jimbo recounts his misadventures with “hot chicken” the guys get down to the serious business of speaking about an important leadership move, sharing the Pulpit. Do you share preaching responsibilities in your church? How would you start? What is the benefit? Listen in and follow along and be encouraged to take steps to add to your preaching team.
Why should you share the pulpit?
Gives your congregation a diverse diet of preachers
It is an avenue for raising up, empowering, and sending out new leaders
Helps keep you in a humble posture
Creates space for personal renewal
Gives your congregation a diverse diet of preachers
Sometimes it can be helpful to hear from different but unified perspectives or styles
Avenue for raising up, empowering, and sending out new leaders
Move toward decentralized leadership
There is a shortage of pastors right now – there is no better place to raise them up than in local churches – normative-sized local churches
There is no better way to help raise up preachers than to let them preach
It is a blessing to see others thrive in their God-given gifts and passions
Helps keep you in a humble posture
Makes sure Jesus is the main hero
Sets the church up better for your eventual exit via death, retirement, or resignation. Every pastor is an interim pastor
Creates space for personal renewal
As wonderful as the opportunity and blessing to preach are it can become burdensome (6 weeks seems to be a consistent pattern from people I have talked with)
It can be very refreshing and encouraging to sit under preaching
It frees you up to spend more energy on other pastoral tasks instead of prep
Get the help you need Bootcamper with your digital presence. Our good friends over at One Eighty Digital can get you up and running in the right way. Contact them today and let them know you are a listener.
We hope you are well Bootcampers! Jimbo has been released from his quarantine and Bob is feeling a little under the weather, but do not fear loyal Bootcamper we held forth and produced another EP for you that is an important listen.
Leadership is often lonely and challenging, that’s why it is vitally important to learn how to share the burdens and blessings of leading the local church. In this EP we remind ourselves of Ezra and Nehemiah and how they each played an important role in leading God’s people.
Ezra is a pastor/priest who seeks to get others to take the Bible seriously, and live faithfully. Nehemiah is essentially a visionary who sees the need for the rebuilding of the ancient walls of Jerusalem.–Tim Mackie
This restoration required, first of all, the rebuilding of the temple and the reinstitution of ceremonial worship. The two accomplished a lot, both had frustrations with those they led, some success and some failure – a real story of the reality of leadership.
Leaders, keep this in mind:
God uses Pastors and Civic Leaders
Both are needed for Kingdom work
Both are valued by God
Each has an important task, a divine gift set, and a specific calling
Working together for Kingdom purposes
Value each other’s gifting, call
Collaborate and Compliment rather than compete
Lead and follow – the best leaders are also great followers
Recognize that absolute success is often measured in many cycles of victory and setbacks
Keep the big picture in mind – Your God-given assignment is faithfully fulfilling the assignment God has given, success is being faithful.
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