85. Bivocation/Covocation and Microchurches - Brad Brisco - Special Guests, Ep. 1
Feb 5, 2025
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Brad Brisco, an expert in bivocational and covocational church planting, discusses the integration of ministry and marketplace work. He shares insights on balancing church leadership with personal life, practical strategies for effective team management, and the importance of creating 'margin' in one’s schedule. Brad challenges conventional success metrics in churches and emphasizes the value of personal connections and community engagement, especially in a remote work landscape. His journey offers encouragement for those navigating the complexities of these dual roles.
Bivocational church planters view their marketplace jobs as temporary, while co-vocational planters see them as integrated callings.
The speaker's journey highlights the importance of maintaining community connections through market engagement for church planting.
Effective time management is crucial for church leaders balancing dual roles, emphasizing the need for clear boundaries and prioritization.
Deep dives
Understanding Bivocational and Co-vocational Church Planting
Bivocational and co-vocational church planting differ significantly in their approach to ministry and work. Bivocational church planters typically hold a part-time job in the marketplace that they see as temporary until their church can sustain them full-time. In contrast, co-vocational church planters integrate their primary marketplace vocation into their ministry, seeing both as equally important and interrelated callings. This distinction fosters a perspective that recognizes the enduring benefits of participating in the marketplace, allowing for richer community engagement and relationship-building.
Personal Experience and Passion for Co-vocational Ministry
The speaker shares his personal journey into co-vocational church planting, highlighting the shift in perspective from traditional full-time ministry to embracing a dual role. Early on, he worked in the restaurant business while nurturing his faith, which cultivated a belief in the integration of work and ministry. As he transitioned into church planting, he discovered the advantages of remaining engaged in the marketplace, which allowed him to connect with people outside church settings. This integration has fueled his passion for advocating co-vocational leadership as a vital aspect of modern church planting.
The Challenge of Time Management
Time management consistently emerges as a significant challenge for bivocational and co-vocational church planters. With dual responsibilities, leaders often struggle to balance the demands of their jobs, family, and ministry. Effective strategies to address this challenge include organizing schedules, setting priorities, and minimizing distractions. By establishing clear boundaries and creating margin in their schedules, leaders can manage their time more effectively, ensuring that they remain committed to their mission while attending to personal and professional needs.
Embracing the Benefits of Bivocational Leadership
Bivocational church planting offers numerous benefits, both missiologically and financially. It allows leaders to build relational connections in their communities, gaining access to potential members who may not engage with traditional church activities. Financially, it reduces the strain on church resources by enabling leaders to support themselves through their marketplace roles. Moreover, it fosters a culture of shared leadership, encouraging active participation and collaboration among all members, thereby enriching the church's ministry and outreach.
Encouraging Words for the Overwhelmed Leader
For those feeling overwhelmed or discouraged in their bivocational or co-vocational roles, it's important to seek community and support from others in similar situations. Finding mentorship or coaching can offer fresh perspectives and encouragement during challenging times. Leaders should also remember that seasons of struggle are often temporary and can lead to growth and learning. By embracing the dual callings of work and ministry, leaders can recognize the value of their contributions and the impact they make in their communities.
Thanks for listening to Microchurches Podcast! We're kicking off a new mini-series this week where we hear from special guests who we believe to be experts in a specific area of ministry or microchurch life. In this episode, you'll hear from Brad Brisco as he shares about what it looks like to be bivocational or covocational in this kind of ministry. Resources mentioned: Covocational Church Planting by Brad Brisco, Missional Church Network Blog, and Rethink by Brad Brisco. New episodes every Wednesday! The Microchurches podcast is presented by The Underground Network, a network of microchurches and missionaries in the Tampa Bay area. We exist to inspire, engage, connect and empower missional people, churches and networks. If you have enjoyed or benefited from this podcast and/or other Underground resources and would like to support, click here to give.
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