There are many reasons people find their self in a 60 hour a week situation. Most people tell me, “It just kind of happened.” Generally, this is what that statement means. Bob is a great guy and a hard worker, pulling a steady 40 hours a week. He loves his family, and has his house in order, is well respected, and highly thought of throughout the community. When there is a need to teach a middle school youth group class, everyone thinks Bob should do it.
Bob likes the idea, prays about it and feels he has the Lords blessing, so he accepts the position. After all, it’s only a few hours a week; one on Wednesday night, and one on Sunday morning. He wants to be well prepared to teach the class, so he spends another hour and a half for every hour of teaching, studying the material. Hours per week – 45
He loves what he is doing and is developing great relationships. A year goes by and a third of those Middle School students are now with the High School youth department. Their class starts an hour later, and kids are asking him to join them some Wednesday night, so he swings in a few times. The youth minister is glad to have him there, and after a while, Bob is committed to both the middle school and high school youth departments. Hours per week – 50
While teaching his youth group, he develops close relationships with several members and their parents. Soon the youth feel comfortable enough to go to Bob with their problems. He wants to help, so without realizing it, he has started unofficial counseling sessions. Hours per week – 55
Because of his involvement, he soon becomes a part of choosing and planning curriculums, planning summer camps, winter worship weekends, and of course, fundraising for those events. Hours per week -60.
For those of you who are have this same story, or perceive yourself to be on the same path, please know there bi-vocational ministry is an amazing calling. However, just like anything else, it has its ups and downs. I read on pastoralcareinc.com a great article with some pretty good advice for those of you in this situation, and I am going to sum up for you. I highly encourage you to follow the link and read the article yourself as well.
1) It’s not only an income, it’s a calling. The second part is what should be focused on.
2) Know your limitations
3) Delegate
4) Embrace help
5) Put God first (your personal relationship)
6) Your Family Second, not your calling
7) Maintain a compassionate heart
8) Help who you are ministering to understand change
This list is meant to be a sample of what this article offers, and is pretty good advice. Again I encourage you to read the article in its entirety. I’d like to add to the list, know the difference between your calling, and things similar to it. For example, should Bob have helped out with the high school too?
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http://www.pastoralcareinc.com/articles/bi-vocational-pastors/