Bi-vocational ministry is for those whose calling is dual – to your career and to ministry. That is, a bi-vocational priest or deacon is one who has a ministry vocation and another vocation that is not ministry oriented. Typically, bi-vocational ministers feel called to this specific ministry, and most often, they feel called to work in small congregations engaging in small church ministry.

In the Diocese of Texas, a bi-vocational church is any church led by a non-stipendiary clergyperson. Many dioceses train clergy (priests and deacons) at local schools of formation and some send them out as “non-stipendiary” leaders, meaning, they’re not paid for their church work. The Diocese of Texas is a good example of this model. Many other dioceses also follow this model.

According to all current data, bi-vocational congregations are increasing in number.

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What should I expect as a bi-vocational minister?

In the Diocese of Texas:

• Except in rare circumstances approved by Bishop Diocesan, the placement will not be in the sending church.
• Priority will be placing the ordinand in a small, bivocational mission congregation within 75 miles of the ordinand’s home.
• If an assignment as vicar of a mission is not made upon ordination to the diaconate, the bishop may assign the ordinand to serve in a non-stipendiary assisting role to any church within 75 miles of the ordinand’s home until an assignment can be made.
• A normative schedule is between 12-15 of service per week and four Sundays per month with time off for vacation and continuing education. Schedules other than the normative must be negotiated in conversation with the transition minister and warden of the congregation. 
• The transitional deacon/priest is expected to continue in that placement for a minimum of three years. If the priest leaves before six years, he or she will be encouraged to accept appointment to another small bivocational congregation.

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How do I know which pathway is right for me?

Something important to consider is that a call to bi-vocational ministry is a specific call to a specific type of ministry. Just as some clergy are called to serve as school chaplains, campus missioners, prison chaplains, or as missionaries, some clergy are called to serve small churches on a non-stipendiary basis. Some clergy are called to serve churches and other ministries full-time, and some are called to serve part-time. Some are called to one vocation, and some are called to dual vocational roles. Some are called as Deacons, and some are called as Priests.

Becoming a bi-vocational minister is an answer to a call to dual vocational ministry, and it is a commitment to small church ministry. If you feel drawn to full-time ministry in a larger congregation, then bi-vocational ministry is not a good fit for you. Viewing bi-vocational ministry as “temporary” due to your current life circumstances is also not helpful because being trained as a bi-vocational minister is not a “stepping stone” to full-time ministry.

Stipendiary clergy and non-stipendiary clergy are different in more than just economic ways. They are trained differently. Stipendiary clergy typically attend seminary full-time and in-person for 2-3 years. Non-stipendiary clergy attend the Iona School for Ministry for 3 years. These two different types of ministry also require different gifts, dispositions, and skill sets. Some characteristics of a bi-vocational minister you might consider are:

• Collaboration is my “go to” – the team gets the job done, not the individual
  • I am entrepreneurial and have an adaptive leadership style
  • I am gifted in things such as change management and facilitative leadership
• I have an affinity and calling for small church ministry and enjoy empowering and supporting those around me to share in the responsibility of doing church together
• I have the bandwidth to handle multiple obligations – paid work, bi-vocational ministry, family
• I have the ability to reconcile vision with realities of multiple commitments

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Part of discernment is trying out some of the ministry practices that you believe you are called to, and there are many ways to do this…

(Be sure to discern with your Rector, Vicar, or Head of Congregation which of these options are right for you and your congregation)

• Use the Book of Common Prayer in your daily life: Pray the Office, Use the Devotionals
• Read the Bible
• Explore Missional Communities
• Practice civic engagement with your congregation to explore your skills around listening and working with opinions that are different than your own
• Join the Eucharistic Ministry team as both a LEM and a LEV to begin exploring your pastoral care skills
• Assist with leading Morning Prayer and engage more deeply with the liturgy of the church
• Work with your Rector, Vicar, or Head of Congregation to craft a sermon and preach once or twice