Bi-vocational ministryLately, I’ve been thinking a lot about bi-vocational ministry and micro businesses funding ministry. Sometimes I’ve been thinking of it in the middle of the night. The concept almost seems new even though the greatest missionary in the world, the apostle Paul, had a bi-vocational ministry. Today we’re seeing this model a little more, but typically when one thinks of doing ministry they think of stopping everything they are currently doing, and going into ministry. This means giving up current jobs, leaving a current business, raising support, maybe even enrolling in some type of schooling and beginning their ministry or missions work. Not that there is anything wrong with this model of ministry, but …

What if we took a different approach? What if we worked at jobs, or freelancing positions that allowed us to work 50% of our time and then we could devote the other 50% to our ministry. Whatever that ministry is for you and whatever the time breakdown. Even better what if a micro business was established that allowed us to fund our ministry while devoting time to each. Both examples would allow our ministry to be less of a burden to those supporting it. It may only require half the money raised from support, maybe just a fourth.

I’ve seen a good friend use both these concepts. He runs a small business, does some freelancing, pastors a thriving church plant called The Bridge Community and provides for a family of 6.

Last but not least, what if this model perpetuated itself. I’ve seen this model laid out on Peter J Daniels website. It’s a project called the Mele Village. In this model the micro enterprises are funded via a capital account and then they tithe back into the local church which I believe is of course the best first step in your giving.