4. Bivocational ministers make starting more churches possible. To reach North America, we need more churches–-healthy, outwardly focused churches. Young churches, however, usually don't have the funding to support a full-time pastor. A bivocational church planter can provide leadership without straining the church's budget.

5. Bivocational ministry models good missiology. Getting the gospel to the world will require efforts far beyond full-time missionaries. Businessmen and women will need to carry the message as they travel the world. Others will start businesses around the world, and they will use that work as a platform for Great Commission work. Bivocational pastors can model that same general approach in North America.

6. Bivocational ministers must learn how to train workers and delegate ministry. Burnout is always a danger for the bivocational minister unless he learns to share the load. His role should push him toward a 1 Corinthians 12 ministry, recognizing that God puts everyone in the church as He wishes to play a particular role in that body. The bivocational minister realizes he cannot do ministry alone--a lesson I wish I had learned years ago as a full-time minister.

7. Bivocational leadership affirms vocation as ministry. Pastors speak the language ("Every member is a minister"), but we don't always help our members understand this truth. We still too often promote a clergy/laity divide that lacks biblical warrant. The bivocational minister, however, brings these worlds together. His workplace is his mission field.

Dr. Steve Greene is now sharing stories, teachings, and conversations with guests who lead with love on Love Leads, a new podcast. Listen now.

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