By Nelson Semanu BOANDOH-KORKOR & Elizabeth BOANDOH-KORKOR
“.…served churches as the people moved west, supporting themselves as farmers, store owners, schoolteachers, and many other occupations while also providing pastoral care to their congregations and leading worship on Sunday mornings.” ~Dennis Bickers, Author, “The Bivocational Pastor: Two Jobs, One Ministry”.
The concept of pastors with professional careers is no longer novel. However, the global ministry landscape is actively encouraging this approach. Many modern churches now see the value of bi-vocational ministry, allowing members to integrate their professional skills with their calling.
While we celebrate these dedicated ministers, equipping them for success in both realms is crucial. Assuming automatic success in both areas is unrealistic.
There are various terms used to describe a pastor who also works in a professional field. Some of the most common ones include:
- Bi-vocational minister or bivo pastor: This emphasises the dual nature of their calling, serving both in ministry and a secular occupation.
- Tentmaker or tentpastor: This term references the Apostle Paul, who supported his ministry by making tents.
- Pastorpreneur (or simply pastorpre): This playful term combines “pastor” and “entrepreneur”, highlighting the business acumen of these individuals.
- Pastoral entrepreneur or spiritual entrepreneur: These terms emphasise the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach that pastors in business bring to their ministry and professional work.
Each of these terms carries slightly different nuances, but they all refer to the growing trend of pastors who embrace both their spiritual calling and their professional skills.
Who is a pastor or minister in business?
It’s important to clarify that a pastor in business is not limited to those who have founded a church or ministry. It encompasses anyone actively involved in ministry work, regardless of their specific role or position.
This includes individuals serving as ushers, Sunday school teachers, security personnel, teens pastors, youth pastors, assistant pastors, branch pastors, personal assistants, secretaries and other support staff.
In essence, a pastor in business is anyone who combines their professional career with active participation in ministry, using their skills and talents to serve God and their community in both realms.
The concept could reflect in the following ways:
- The pastor as a career professional
A professional career typically refers to an occupation or field of work that requires specialised knowledge, skills, education and often a degree or certification. Professionals are usually held to high ethical standards and have a commitment to ongoing learning and development in their chosen fields.
There are pastors who work as professionals in the field of banking and finance, education, media, health, law, real estate, agribusiness, manufacturing, education, sports and entertainment – just to name a few. All these are professionals who qualify to be addressed as bi-vocational ministers.
- A pastor as an entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an individual who starts and operates a business venture, taking on financial risks in the hope of making profit. They are often driven by a passion for their ideas or products and are willing to put in the hard work and dedication needed to bring it to fruition.
An entrepreneurial pastor is directly involved in running the business he or she founded. Aside doing this, such a person may also be involved in singing in a choir or serving as a children church pastor. Today, there are several pastors who are running various businesses that give them regular income.
Pastoral entrepreneurs play a crucial role in the economy, creating jobs, driving innovation and contributing to economic growth. They are often seen as pioneers and change-makers, challenging the status quo and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. “Bivocational ministry is not a second-rate calling; it is a way for churches to remain faithful to their mission in the midst of limited resources.” ~Dennis Bickers
- The pastor as a business owner
It’s becoming increasingly common for pastors to establish businesses in various sectors, such as media, banking and finance, retail, real estate, construction and IT. These pastors often delegate day-to-day operations to others, allowing them to focus on their ministry while still overseeing the business.
A business owner is an individual who owns and operates a business. This can range from a sole proprietorship, where one person owns and controls the entire business, to a partnership or corporation, where ownership is shared among multiple individuals.
Business owners are responsible for the overall management and successes of their companies. They typically oversee operations, make strategic decisions, manage finances and take on financial risks in pursuit of profit. Their roles and responsibilities can vary widely depending on the size and nature of the business.
Business owners play a crucial role in the economy, creating jobs, driving innovation and contributing to the overall well-being of their communities. They are often seen as leaders and role models, inspiring others to pursue their own entrepreneurial dreams.
- The pastor as an investor in other businesses
Additionally, some pastors invest substantial financial resources in established businesses. This allows them to participate in the business world without the burden of daily operational responsibilities.
An investor is an individual that allocates capital with the expectation of receiving financial returns. He or she may put money into various assets, such as stocks, bonds, real estate or businesses, with the goal of generating income, growing their wealth or achieving other financial objectives.
There are different types of investors:
- Retail or individual investors: These are individuals who invest their own money, often in smaller amounts. They may invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
- Angel investors: These are individuals who provide capital for start-ups or early-stage businesses, usually in exchange for ownership equity. They often take on higher risks in hopes of significant returns.
- Venture capitalists: These are firms or individuals who invest in high-growth potential start-ups or small businesses. They typically provide large amounts of capital in exchange for equity and actively participate in the company’s management.
- Institutional investors: These are large organisations like pension funds, insurance companies and endowments that invest on behalf of their clients or members. They typically have significant resources and invest in various asset classes.
The goals of investors vary depending on their individual circumstances and risk tolerance. Some investors prioritise income generation, while others focus on long-term growth or capital preservation. Ultimately, all investors seek to maximise their returns while minimising risk.
Tentmaking
According to www.tentinternational.org: “The term ‘tentmakers’ can refer to any mission-motivated Christian who supports themself in secular work as they do cross-cultural evangelism on the job and in their free time.
They may be business entrepreneurs, salaried professionals, paid employees, expenses-paid voluntary workers or Christians in professional exchange, funded research, internship or study abroad programmes. They can serve at little or no cost to the church”.
The Greek term ske·no·poi·osʹ is used to describe the trade of Paul, Aquila and Priscilla. Various opinions have been offered as to the exact type of craftsman indicated by this word (whether tentmaker, tapestry weaver or ropemaker); however, a number of scholars hold that “tentmaker” is the probable meaning.
Today, ‘tent-making’ refers to more than just making tents. In this book, it implies a minister in business. A tentmaker is a dedicated, spiritually mature Christian who views work through the lens of the Great Commission, as an opportunity to serve God’s kingdom. Work becomes a vital part of Christian witness, building relationships, credibility and ministry contexts.
A tentmaker can be a professional, teacher, government worker, or business owner. Tentmaking opens doors to reach seemingly inaccessible people with the Gospel in new ways. “Inaccessible people” could be those in primitive conditions practising other religions or successful professionals seemingly closed to the Gospel. Tentmaking is powerful in challenging mission fields like Europe or Japan.
The Apostle Paul exemplifies this. He and Priscilla and Aquila made tents while spreading the Gospel (Acts 18:1-5). Paul also worked in Galatia, Corinth, Thessalonica and Ephesus (1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8; Acts 20:31-35; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 9:6). His trade wasn’t just for paying expenses.
In his book, The Tentmaking Pastor: The Joy of Bivocational Ministry, Bickers writes that Paul “continued to make tents as he traveled from city to city” so he would not be a financial burden to those he was ministering to.
He reminded the Corinthians (1 Cor 4:12, 2 Cor. 11:7–9) and the Thessalonians (1 Thess 4:10b–12) of this—that while he ministered in their cities, he “work[ed] with his hands and [was] dependent on no one” and was not “preaching the gospel for money.” Also, at 1 Thess 2:9 and 2 Thess 3:8-10, he provided for his own physical needs.
One authority explained it this way: “In Corinth, Paul preached to Jews on the Sabbath and worked as a tentmaker during the week, talking to merchants and travellers. His trade wasn’t just about expenses or visas in ‘Restricted Access Countries’, but about opportunity.
It gave him daily contact and legitimacy as a skilled provider. Did anyone believe Paul never shared the Gospel while working? His motivation was opportunity. To Corinthians, he was a tentmaker, providing more opportunities than being just a missionary or pastor. His trade was a tool for sharing Christ’s grace”.
Many pastors dedicate themselves solely to ministry, filling their days with preaching, teaching, outreach, counselling and administration. However, others supplement their income with outside jobs, becoming bi-vocational pastors.
This is often the case for those serving smaller churches or communities facing economic hardships, where the congregation cannot provide a living wage. Despite this, their call to ministry remains strong, and they balance both roles out of necessity.
For further study on this subject, kindly get a copy of our book: Pastors in Business: Thriving as a Bivocational Minister; Strategic Keys to Success.
Nelson Semanu Boandoh-Korkor is a distinguished figure, acclaimed as an Author, Publishing Consultant, Christian Business Coach, and a fervent Financial Evangelist. Nelson is a forex trader, cryptocurrency investor and metaverse enthusiast.
Elizabeth Boandoh-Korkor (CA) is an accomplished Chartered Accountant with extensive experience as a Financial Management Consultant, spanning close to two decades in both the not-for-profit and banking sectors. You can reach out to them on +233549762233 or [email protected]
