Special Edition: "The Bible don't pay the bills" a raw conversation with Dr. Kevin Middleton

Today’s Special Edition of “Your Best Work: The Podcast” is audio from Covo Con with Dr. Kevin Middleton and Covocational Ministry in the Black Church. Here are some practical takeaways.

* Blend Marketplace and Ministry Skills

* Pursue practical, marketable skills alongside ministry training. This dual approach provides financial stability and resilience, as seen during crises like COVID, and reflects Middleton’s pastor’s wisdom: “Bible doesn’t pay the bills, skills and marketplace degrees will.”

* Embrace Shared Leadership

* Move away from the solo-pastor model by identifying and empowering congregants’ gifts (e.g., through conversations or tools like the APES framework: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, Teachers). Delegate responsibilities to build a collaborative, sustainable church structure.

* Prioritize Personal Health and Balance

* Implement regular self-care practices: weekly therapy, monthly spiritual direction, a consistent Sabbath, and hobbies (e.g., gaming, hiking). Middleton’s use of a Google calendar to create margin and limit unnecessary meetings helps maintain sanity and vitality.

* Engage Younger Generations Holistically

* Recognize that Millennials and Gen Z value meaningful work outside traditional church roles (e.g., nonprofits, justice initiatives). Equip them to see all vocations as holy, fostering a church culture that integrates faith and daily life rather than competing with platforms like TikTok for influence.

* Cultivate a Covocational Framework

* Build a church culture where everyone’s calling is supported, not just the pastor’s. Host events like job fairs or faith-and-work series to affirm congregants’ marketplace roles, ensuring the church doesn’t stifle individuality but mobilizes it for mission.

* Avoid the Celebrity Pastor Trap

* Reject the mindset of being the sole decision-maker. Share responsibility to prevent burnout, enhance accountability, and ensure the church thrives beyond any single leader’s tenure, as Middleton illustrates with biblical examples like Moses and Jesus.

* Have Fun and Stay Human

* Incorporate enjoyment into ministry life (e.g., playing Mario Kart, walking in nature). Following Eugene Peterson’s advice to not take oneself too seriously, find hobbies and community moments that ground you and refresh your perspective.

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