Recently I read an article concerning new Anglican vocations. The point was made that the new Anglican world, (ACNA) would present a need for priests willing to be bi-vocational. This is a new reality that many former Episcopalians are facing. I am thankful, and really not surprised that many young men are willing to go to such extraordinary measures for the sake of the Gospel. There is a long history of such self-sacrifice in Christian Tradition, going all the way back to St. Paul. " I have become all things to all men , that I mighty by all means save some." It was my motivation almost fifteen years ago, and continues to be the driving motive to this day.
However, care must be taken to keep this zeal in its proper perspective. Bi-vocational ministry, while becoming more common, even necessary in many instances, is not normative of Christian ministry. It is the exception rather than the rule, Scripturally and traditionally. St. Paul, by his own testimony, embraced bi vocational ministry as a way of not being a burden to the fledgling congregation at Corinth, but no where does he suggest that all ministers do the same. In fact his council to Timothy, is in stark contrast to his own practice at Corinth. Furthermore, there is no evidence that St. Paul viewed his "tent making" as anything other than a temporary, extraordinary means. It was his "ground for boasting." (1 Cor.9:15)
In this light, bi vocational ministry must be viewed as a personal choice, an offering of self-sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. For the Church to go beyond this, and to require its ministers to be bi vocational would be a violation of the Gospel. "The Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel." (1 Cor. 9:14)
Likewise, bi vocational ministry should be seen as a means to a specific end, not an end in itself. The goal of every bi vocational minister should always be full time vocational ministry. There are a number of reasons for this. First, and foremost, as I stated above, it is against Scripture and Tradition to do otherwise. God has His own reasons why He has always, set aside men dedicated to his service, from the Levites under the Old Covenant to the ministers, bishops priests and deacons of the New. It seems that for the sake of the missionary endeavor, God has allowed exception to this rule, but it is the rule nonetheless. The person considering bi vocational service, needs to be aware of the cost of this compromise. It will cost. We need to count this cost, and be sure that we are able to pay. Bear with me for stating what should be obvious. If bi vocational ministry was the best, most effective way to do ministry, the Lord would have told us.
After nearly fifteen years of bi-vocational ministry, I can testify that it is not "the berries." It's a lot of work, more than people who are not bi vocational can imagine. It is consistently frustrating, because of the limits of time and physical endurance. The quality of service rendered to the parish suffers. Nevertheless, bi vocational ministry enables us to take the Gospel, to plant new churches in areas, that traditional ministry cannot. So I embrace it as an extraordinary means that makes it possible for me to serve the dear people of rural Kentucky now, while reaching out in hope for the day when I will be able to serve the people of my charge without the distraction and drain of a second job.
