I’m a pastor, but I sometimes say the place where I do the most real ministry is the cafe.  On the surface, I’m “bi-vocational” (working half-time for our church and part-time at the cafe), but I don’t really see any separation between my two jobs.  There’s been some good conversation recently in the PC(USA) about tentmaking, or bi-vocational ministry, as a viable option for more and more pastors and congregations.  The reason most often given seems to be financial: a church can’t afford a full-time pastor, so the pastor gets another job.  I applaud other pastors who do this, but I think the conversation needs to get beyond the financial reasons for tentmaking.  Here are the reasons why I chose to be bi-vocational: (1) Mission – As a new church development pastor, my “second” job gives me an entryway into the community.  Every day I meet people who would normally never set foot inside a church.  And wherever I’m meeting them is exactly where I’m called to be.  (2) Leading by Example -Working a second job that’s not explicitly a “ministry” vocation also gives me an opportunity to teach and model for members of my church how we as disciples can find meaning in our “ordinary” jobs.  Our churches are filled with people who are discontent with their work and who rarely think of their jobs as places where they can participate in the Kingdom of God. How much of that disconnect is the result of an over-professionalization of clergy?  What would it look like to really reflect in our lives the truth that almost any job can be used to serve God?

Early this morning I met my co-pastor and another friend for coffee in my sacred space.  This afternoon I’ll return and work for four hours, looking forward to whatever conversations God brings my way.  In between I’ll do a little “church work”, but in reality there’s no separation between the two – each job complements and enriches the other. Whether on church time or cafe time, I work and pray, and I look for Christ’s presence in the breaking of bread and the pouring of coffee.

Bend sits in the midst of millions of acres of national forests and wilderness offering world class nordic and alpine skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking, white water kayaking, golf, hiking, camping, fly fishing, boating, etc.  This is a great opportunity to build a church for the 21st century from scratch.  For more information contact Bob Pearson, bobpear@bendcable.com.

First Presbyterian Church of Sioux City, Iowa is looking for an Associate Pastor to engage the families of our church as followers of Jesus Christ and help them to shine the light of his love through their lives in the world.  We’re a fairly traditional downtown church eager to see how God will reform us as a mission outpost for the kingdom through friendship, discipleship, and acts of love.

View the CIF

Hint: You can stuff the ballot box (vote often) if you wait 24 hours and then vote again.

For more information regarding this position, please contact:

Mark Bassham
432.570.4353
mbassham@sbcglobal.net

Gerry Weisenfels
432.688.1338
gweisenfels@grandecom.net