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Tag: bi-vocational

EP 309 – Finalizing Your Sermon Calendar with Chris Snider and Matt MacNaughton

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In this episode, we continue our monthly focus on the bi-vocational pastor. The “Bi-Vo Bros”—Chris Snider and Matt MacNaughton—join JimBo to walk through the practical steps of building a sermon calendar once you’ve carved out dedicated planning time.

We move from the “why” of sermon planning (covered last month) into the hands-on process of how to actually build a yearlong preaching plan.

1. Start with Scripture, Prayer, and a Blank Page
Matt explains why he begins with nothing more than his Bible, a blank sheet of paper, and prayer. He writes out themes the Lord is impressing on him, reflects on where the church is spiritually, and reads through the book he’s considering at a surface level before consulting any outside resources.

2. Read the Book Before You Plan the Book
All three hosts emphasize reading the book devotionally ahead of time. Early exposure—months before planning day—builds intuition for pacing, themes, and structure.

3. Break the Text Down Thoughtfully
Each pastor outlines the book based on natural units of thought, often comparing their outline with trusted preachers and commentary series. They stress not copying another preacher’s outline but treating those resources as a conversation partner to sharpen your own discernment.

4. After You Outline, Lay It on the Calendar
Once the text is divided, they lay the plan over the year’s Sundays and make small adjustments for pastoral wisdom (e.g., avoiding awkward texts on Mother’s Day). The biblical text drives the plan, but the calendar helps fine-tune pacing.

5. Build Systems That Serve You All Year
Chris and Matt both use tools like spreadsheets and Notion to store sermon outlines, themes, theological and anthropological ideas, illustrations, and quotes. These databases grow richer every year and streamline week-to-week preparation.

6. Use Technology, But Don’t Outsource Spiritual Discernment
AI can help with repetitive tasks such as mapping dates or generating headings, but the hosts warn against letting it replace exegetical work or dependence on the Holy Spirit. Technology assists; it doesn’t direct the sermon.

7. Sermon Planning Is Hard Work, but It Becomes a Joy
If planning feels overwhelming at first, that’s normal. Over time, pastors develop a rhythm and start looking forward to the focused, prayerful work of shaping a year of preaching.

What’s Coming Next
In the next bi-vocational episode, we’ll shift from building the sermon calendar to exploring the weekly rhythm of writing and preparing sermons once the yearly plan is in place.

EP 306 – Planning a Preaching Calendar

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In this episode of the Replant Bootcamp, I sit down with my friends and regular guests Matt MacNaughton and Chris Snider—the “Bi-Vo Bros”—to talk about how bivocational pastors can plan their preaching calendars with intentionality and peace of mind.

Every second Wednesday of the month, we focus specifically on the unique challenges of bivocational ministry. This time, we’re drilling down on sermon planning—how to move from week-to-week survival to long-range spiritual formation for both you and your church.

Matt, who pastors at Grace Life Church in Middleburg, Florida, and Chris, who serves at First Baptist Avon Park, share how their own planning rhythms have evolved—from scrambling each week to now mapping out preaching six months to a year in advance. We talk about why this kind of preparation isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about shepherding faithfully, guarding your time, and communicating to your congregation that you’re invested for the long haul.

We also dig into:

  • Why sermon planning actually frees you to be more Spirit-led, not less.
  • How planning ahead reduces anxiety and makes room for creativity.
  • Practical starting points for bivocational pastors who feel like they barely have time to prep each week.
  • How planning a preaching calendar encourages your church and reinforces that you take God’s Word—and your call—seriously.

You’ll hear stories from each of us about times when God’s providence showed up in remarkable ways—moments when a sermon planned months earlier perfectly aligned with what was happening in our church or community.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly behind or that you’re “running out of things to preach,” this conversation will give you a framework and encouragement to plan prayerfully, lead intentionally, and rest confidently in God’s sovereignty.

Listen now and learn how to approach your 2026 preaching calendar with purpose.

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

  1. List your top five people-needs that regularly pull your time and energy. Label which can shift depending on season.
  2. Establish small, consistent family rituals (like a weekly meal) that communicate presence and priority.
  3. Practice pastoral triage by asking questions to discern urgency before rushing away from family time.
  4. Be fully present in each moment—eye contact, listening, and remembering details matter.
  5. 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

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

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
01:52 The Importance of Time Management
07:26 Practical Tips for Managing Time
08:32 Balancing Priorities and Saying No
16:46 Creating a Preaching Plan
22:13 Finding Extra Time and Avoiding Burnout

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

06:31 Challenges for Bi-Vocational Pastors

08:24 Prioritizing Time with the Lord

12:06 Balancing Devotional Time and Sermon Prep

17:34 Finding Joy in Ministry

23:40 Practical Steps to Restore Joy

25:38 Closing Prayer and Encouragement

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

25:09 Conclusion and Prayer

EP 229 – Serving in Bi-Vocational Ministry

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EP 229 - Serving in Bi-Vocational Ministry
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Are you a bi-vocational pastor? Take a couple of minutes and fill out this survey: https://su.vc/bivosurvey

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.

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EP 228 – Surveying Bi-vocational Ministry

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EP 228 - Surveying Bi-vocational Ministry
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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

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