The statistics are disturbing: 100 to 200 churches close weekly. That is 6,000 to 10,000 yearly. We see mega churches growing and give praise to the Lord. But the number of churches closing does not necessarily result in those people going to other churches. When a church closes, it leaves a geographic area with one less witness.
The primary reason for churches closing is the inability to cover the costs. In smaller churches the pastor’s salary is the major part of the budget. It is often this financial need that makes a church willing to consider a co-vocational pastor.
Actually, I would suggest that the church needs to see co-vocational ministry as “CALLING.” This “Calling” to a co-vocational ministry reveals some needs for the church and pastor:
The calling for the church is revealed by desperation. Admitting that you are desperate can be humiliating, but it can also wake us up to reality. A disturbing statistic is that 40% of churches in USA have less than 50 committed members. The reality is a church with less than 50 committed members is not able to support a full-time pastor in our economy.
When a church understands this, the result is often a sense of desperation. It is this desperation that can be a wake-up call. The wake-up call can lead the church to consider options and changes they may never have been willing to make.
One major issue is often the church leadership feels “all we need is the right pastor.” This is a half truth. The right pastor is a key but only one part of the solution.
When forced to consider a co-vocational pastor the church members need a new commitment. Reality is that a co-vocational pastor will need to be more dependent on the members than he might need to be if he was full-time. Is this not what the New Testament pattern for “Body Life” in the church is? (Romans12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
The Church that accepts the calling to be co-vocational must have members who are ready to sacrificially serve in the church. They cannot expect the pastor to do it all.
The Pastoral Calling is revealed by a Passion for the church. While the church’s calling to become co-vocational may be out of desperation, the pastor called to co-vocational ministry should never be motivated out of desperation. The effective co-vocational pastor’s calling should come out of a passion for the church.
The best illustrating of this type of calling is the Apostle Paul’s description, For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. (2 Thess. 3:7-8). Paul’s passion for the church and God’s Kingdom led him to be willing to sacrificially serve.
The Calling for a Partnership reveals a new potential. Paul in Philippians expressed his appreciation for those who share in his ministry (Phil. 1:3-5). He, also, expressed appreciation for the support of Thessalonians. The effectiveness of any ministry, and especially in co-vocational ministry, is greatly increased when there are partnerships. Partnerships help to provide counsel and supporting resources.
This brings us to one of the basic ministries of BBM, pastoral coaching. Whether a pastor is co-vocational or fully-supported by the church, partnerships can be a great resource. Partnerships provide accountability, encouragement, correction, and many needed resources for ministry.
In our current consulting ministry, with the potential of re-planting the church, the call to a co-vocational ministry is an option that could be part of the solution. It is a church that is desperate to retain a gospel presence and willing to consider all options.
The lessons we are learning: (1) When a church becomes desperate it becomes open different approaches. (2) A pastor is a major part of the solution but he cannot do it alone. (3) Partnerships can provide counsel, resources, and a new hope for desperate churches.