One of my favorite preachers, Ray Stedman began a message on Romans 12 with a story about a man who notices a storefront with a book title “How to Hug.” Going into the store he is expecting to find a “how to” book, but instead he finds out it is an encyclopedia on the word “hug.” Stedman then goes on to say, “I have often thought, as I think of that story, that the church is like that. Everyone knows that the church is a place where love ought to be manifested, and many people have come to church hoping to find a demonstration of love, only to discover an encyclopedia on theology.”

In the last few Equipper posts with BBM we have been sharing the potential in revitalizing or replanting churches that often results in considering a co-vocational pastor. The revitalization task can be as re-plant pastor or simply taking on the challenge of leading a church in desperation to become a revitalized church. In either case, there is a special calling in revitalization.

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.

I have considered myself a change agent for most of my years in ministry. One change I have been resistant to is the bi-vocational pastor. The resistant most likely goes back to my earliest years of ministry. While serving in a well known ministry the executive director, a man I respect very highly, discouraged me from a type of bi-vocational ministry.