Bivocational or biprofessional ministry has always been part
of Christian ministry. The idea of
serving as a minister while earning a primary or secondary income is nothing
new, but the concept has been more common in some eras than others. With the declining revenues in many churches
and denominations, some are asking such questions as, “Can the church andminister afford each other?”
Biprofessionalism is one alternative that many churches
consider. Those ministers who are
biprofessionalism understand both the positive and negative aspects of the
practice. A new paradigm requires new
ways of thinking. One challenge is helping
the church to transition to the idea that the pastor can longer give his or her
full-time to the congregation. On the
other hand, the trend provides opportunities for lay leaders to reclaim
significant ministries in the life of the congregation. This is the topic I want to address.
Lay leaders may be asked to take on increased responsibilities
for pastoral care, worship, age-group leadership, and community ministry. Although laity have been key participants in
these ministries in the past, when the minister becomes part-time, how will
their roles grow?
In the past, denominations took the lead in training lay
leaders through conferences, retreats, and consultation. These resources have diminished significantly
and often the churches must look elsewhere for training opportunities for lay
leaders.
Ministers often assumed this equipping role in the local
church or parish, but as more ministers become part-time, their time and
resources to do this are limited.
Where does theological education fit into increased use of
laity in roles that ministers might have filled previously? This question
deserves serious consideration. This is
a door of opportunity for theological institutions. If seminaries and theological schools wish to
serve the needs of local churches, this is an emerging need--the formation of
laity to assume increased responsibilities for leadership of vital
ministries. In subsequent blogs, I hope
to unpack these opportunities further.
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