EP 301 - Embracing Your Ministry as a Bi-Vocational Pastor
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In this episode of the Replant Bootcamp, JimBo Stewart and Matt MacNaughton wrap up their six-part series on the Healthy Characteristics of a Bivocational Pastor—and they do it one bro short. While Chris is serving his local church (a perfect example of this episode’s theme), JimBo and Matt unpack what it means for a pastor to obediently embrace the ministry God has given him.
Drawing from Matthew 25 and Jeremiah 29, they remind pastors that faithfulness—not comparison or speed—is the measure of ministry success. Whether you’re discouraged by small numbers, limited resources, or slow progress, this conversation helps you see that obedience where you are is what God honors.
Learning to pastor the people you have, not the people you wish you had
Avoiding the trap of comparison and misplaced expectations
How embracing your current ministry aligns with the parable of the talents
Why “rapid multiplication” isn’t the same as faithful multiplication
The importance of developing people slowly and intentionally
Biblical encouragement for discouraged or frustrated pastors
EP 297 - The Healthy Bi-vocational Pastor Cares Attentively for His People - Bi-vocational Characteristics
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Learn why balance is a myth and how bi-vocational pastors can practice situational priorities to attentively care for family, church, and community without burning out.
In this episode of the Replant Bootcamp, JimBo Stewart is joined once again by the “Bi-Vocational Bros,” Matt MacNaughton and Chris Snider, as they continue their series on the characteristics of a healthy bi-vocational pastor. Today, they dive into the fifth characteristic: attentively caring for your people.
Being bi-vocational brings unique challenges—balancing family, church, and work responsibilities. Matt and Chris share wisdom on how pastors can prioritize relationships without burning out, how to navigate pastoral “triage,” and why balance may be a myth. Instead, they encourage pastors to think in terms of situational priorities, learning to be fully present wherever God has placed them in the moment.
This conversation covers the importance of caring well for your family, shepherding your congregation attentively, and knowing when to say no to good ministry opportunities in order to protect your first callings at home.
Key Topics Discussed
The importance of attentively caring for family, church, and community.
Why “balance” is a myth and how to think in terms of situational priorities.
Practical examples of when to prioritize family over church responsibilities and vice versa.
How to be fully present and avoid treating people like “tasks” to check off a list.
Tools like pastoral triage to help navigate urgent vs. non-urgent needs.
Building healthy rhythms and small rituals to communicate attentiveness at home.
Action steps for pastors to intentionally love, listen, and shepherd their people.
Quotes from the Episode
“Your church can find a new pastor, but your wife cannot find a new husband, and your children cannot find a new dad.” – Chris Snider
“I don’t think balance is possible. Instead, we have to practice situational priorities and learn to give attention where it’s most needed in the moment.” – Matt MacNaughton
“I want the people I pastor, and especially my family, to feel that they are fully seen and heard when they’re with me.” – JimBo Stewart
Resources Mentioned
Craig Hamilton’s book: Wisdom in Leadership (on situational priorities)
Galatians 6: Bearing one another’s burdens
Psalm 23: A pastoral fallback when unexpected circumstances arise
Action Steps for Pastors
List your top five people-needs that regularly pull your time and energy. Label which can shift depending on season.
Establish small, consistent family rituals (like a weekly meal) that communicate presence and priority.
Practice pastoral triage by asking questions to discern urgency before rushing away from family time.
Be fully present in each moment—eye contact, listening, and remembering details matter.
Pray for attentiveness before entering your home or engaging in a pastoral conversation, asking God to clear distractions.
Subscribe & Share
Don’t miss the rest of this series on the characteristics of healthy bi-vocational pastors. Subscribe to the Replant Bootcamp wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with another pastor who may be navigating the challenges of bi-vocational ministry.
EP 293 - Setting Boundaries and Expectations for Bi-Vocational Pastors
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In this month’s “Bi-Vo Bros” episode, JimBo Stewart sits down again with Matt MacNaughton and Chris Snider to unpack the fourth healthy characteristic of a bi-vocational pastor: clearly setting and expressing realistic expectations and boundaries.
Serving as a bi-vocational pastor means juggling ministry, family, and other vocational responsibilities—all while resisting the pressure to say “yes” to everything. The guys discuss why boundaries matter theologically, how to communicate them effectively, and how to maintain them even when others don’t respect them. They also explore the importance of protecting your family from unrealistic ministry demands, navigating church expectations with humility, and making sure technology works for you instead of against you.
From practical tips like using “Do Not Disturb” settings and location-based phone filters, to shepherding wisdom on triaging emergencies, this episode offers both spiritual and strategic guidance for thriving in the long haul of bi-vocational ministry.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why boundaries are essential for your spiritual health, family life, and ministry effectiveness
How to communicate expectations without sounding like you’re trying to avoid work
Ways to use technology to protect your focus and availability
How to handle people who ignore your boundaries
What realistic expectations for your spouse and kids should look like
How to navigate long-standing church culture and shift expectations over time
EP 290 - Developing and Sharing Leadership as a Bi-vocational Leader
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In this episode of The Replant Bootcamp, host Jimbo Stewart dives into the topic of intentional leadership development for bivocational pastors, joined by Matt McNaughton and Chris Snyder. The discussion explores the importance of sharing leadership responsibilities within the church, addressing common barriers such as perfectionism and lack of discipleship experience. They emphasize that developing leaders is a long-term investment that leads to healthier pastors, families, and churches. The episode also touches upon practical steps to start the process of leadership development and recommends resources such as Mark Hallick’s ‘Replant Roadmap’ and Ken Blanchard’s ‘Situational Leadership.’
00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
00:40 Monthly Bi-Vocational Leadership Discussion
01:01 Characteristics of a Healthy Bi-Vocational Pastor
02:24 Developing and Sharing Leadership
04:12 Challenges and Benefits of Shared Leadership
11:52 Practical Steps for Developing Leaders
21:01 Overcoming Barriers to Leadership Development
EP 287 - Stewarding Your Time and Money Well - Characteristics of Healthy Bi-vocational pastors
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In this episode of the Bootcamp podcast, we are joined by Matt McNaughton and Chris Snider to discuss the critical topic of strategically stewarding time and money for bivocational pastors. They delve into the importance of managing these limited resources effectively to serve their families and churches well.
Key points include the challenge of balancing pastoral duties with other full-time jobs, practical tips on time management such as blocking off schedules, using long-term preaching plans, and making the most of every opportunity.
They also touch on budgeting wisely and setting realistic expectations both personally and within the church context. The conversation highlights the significance of knowing what to say yes or no to, aligning with God-given priorities, and the necessity of incorporating rest for peak productivity.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back
01:20 Characteristic #2: Strategically Stewarding Time and Money
EP 284 - Joyfully Walking With Jesus: Prioritizing Soul Care in Bi-Vocational Ministry - Characteristics of Healthy Bi-vocational Pastors with Matt MacNaughton and Chris Snider
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In this episode, the Bi-Vocational Bros are back to discuss the importance of joyfully walking with Jesus as a key characteristic of a healthy bi-vocational pastor. They emphasize the necessity of prioritizing one’s personal relationship with the Lord amidst the myriad responsibilities of ministry. Through personal stories, scriptural insights, and practical advice on cultivating a joyful and intentional walk with Jesus, listeners are encouraged to focus on their soul care to effectively lead their congregations. They also address challenges unique to bi-vocational pastors and share tips to maintain spiritual health. The discussion concludes with a prayer for pastors to restore their joy in the Lord.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:11 The Importance of Joyfully Walking with Jesus
EP 280 - Characteristics of Healthy Bi-Vocational Pastors with Matt MacNaughton and Chris Snider
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Matt MacNaughton and Chris Snider join the bootcamp to discuss the growing need for bivocational pastors and introduce a new series focused on supporting them. They highlight the unique challenges bivocational pastors face, such as financial pressures and time management, and provide practical strategies for thriving in this demanding role. Special guests Matt McNaughton and Chris Snyder share their experiences and insights on being bivocational pastors. The discussion covers the importance of framing bivocational ministry positively, setting realistic expectations, and actively developing leadership within the church. The episode concludes with an introduction to six key characteristics of a healthy bivocational pastor, setting the stage for future episodes diving deeper into these traits.
00:00 Introduction and New Series Announcement
01:29 Meet the Guests: Matt McNaughton and Chris Snyder
02:26 The Reality of Bi-Vocational Pastoring
04:55 Challenges and Stigmas of Bi-Vocational Ministry
08:12 Encouragement for Bi-Vocational Pastors
14:33 Characteristics of a Healthy Bi-Vocational Pastor
