Virtual Church Consulting

As a Church Consultant one of the trends we are witnessing is a significant rise of bi-vocational pastors, who simultaneously work in secular occupations alongside fulfilling their spiritual duties. This emerging trend responds to various socio-economic factors, presenting a promising church sustainability and contextual engagement model.

For several decades, the model of the full-time pastor, wholly supported by the church, has been the norm. However, changing economic realities, alongside smaller congregations, have prompted a shift towards bi-vocationalism. Many churches, particularly those in urban areas or smaller towns, struggle to financially support a full-time minister, necessitating that pastors seek an additional source of income.

The dual role helps pastors meet their personal and family financial needs and serves as a bridge to the secular world, leading to increased engagement with the community. Bi-vocational pastors often find themselves more in touch with the real-world struggles their congregation members face, having personally experienced the same trials and triumphs in their secular roles. This shared experience deepens their empathy and broadens their pastoral care and counseling perspective.

Furthermore, bi-vocational allows pastors to influence their secular workplaces positively, putting Christian principles into practice in a diverse environment. As they live out their faith in these settings, they often become more effective spiritual leaders, developing a more practical and relatable approach to preaching and teaching.

This trend also reflects the early Christian church’s model, where leaders like the Apostle Paul were tentmakers by profession and church shepherds by calling. Therefore, the rise of bi-vocational pastors could be seen as a return to early Christian principles of self-support and community involvement.

However, bi-vocational ministry comes with its challenges. Balancing two professions requires immense commitment, resilience, and strong time management skills. It can be a taxing endeavor that necessitates a delicate balancing act between fulfilling secular work obligations and serving the congregation’s spiritual needs. Burnout is a real risk, and the church must proactively provide support and understanding.

To optimize the bi-vocational model, both churches and pastors need to adapt. Churches must embrace flexibility, realizing their pastors may not be available during conventional working hours. Pastors must learn how to delegate responsibilities to lay leaders, thus fostering a shared leadership model. Seminaries and theological training institutions must adjust curricula, preparing future pastors for this emerging reality.

In conclusion, the rise of bi-vocational pastors presents an intriguing development within the Christian ministry landscape. While challenging, this dual role can offer financial sustainability, increase community engagement, and provide a more relatable pastoral care model. With careful planning, sufficient support, and adaptability, the bi-vocational model can survive and thrive in the 21st-century church.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

“The Nones” is a term that has gained traction in sociological, religious, and political discourses. It refers to a growing demographic group that, when asked about their religious affiliation, chooses the option “none.” This group includes atheists, agnostics, secular humanists, and those who believe in a higher power or consider themselves spiritual but do not identify with a specific religion.

The Rise of the Nones

The rise of “the nones” marks a significant shift in the religious landscape, particularly in the Western world. In the United States, for instance, the number of people identifying as religiously unaffiliated has grown dramatically in the past few decades. A study by the Pew Research Center reported that as of 2019, “the nones” accounted for about 26% of the U.S. population, up from 17% in 2009.

Who are the Nones?

“The nones” represent a heterogeneous group, embodying a broad range of beliefs, attitudes, and backgrounds. While some identify as atheists or agnostics, explicitly rejecting belief in God, others may hold spiritual beliefs but reject organized religion or do not align with any specific religious tradition.

Demographically, younger generations are more likely to be religiously unaffiliated than their older counterparts. Other demographic trends include higher levels of education and a tendency towards liberal political views. However, this group is not homogeneous and includes people from all walks of life.

Why the Shift?

There is no singular reason for this societal shift but rather a convergence of sociocultural changes. Modern secular societies have seen a rise in individualism and a decline in traditional institutional authority, impacting religious institutions. Additionally, the influence of science and rational thought, the problem of evil, and religious exclusivity or intolerance issues can contribute to religious disaffiliation.

Impact and Implications

The rise of “the nones” has considerable implications, particularly in politics, social policy, and community life. Politically, the religiously unaffiliated tend to lean more liberal, impacting voting patterns and policy preferences. Regarding social policy, issues around the separation of church and state, religious education, and religious freedom are increasingly significant.

On a community level, as religious institutions traditionally played roles in social cohesion, charitable work, and moral guidance, the rise of “the nones” raises questions about how these roles will be filled moving forward.

Looking Ahead

As the religious landscape continues to shift, understanding “the nones” becomes important for the church consultant. Whether this trend will continue or plateau is yet to be seen, but what’s clear is that the conversation around belief, faith, and spirituality is evolving. Religion, once assumed to be a given, is increasingly becoming a choice. This phenomenon challenges religious institutions and society at large to adapt and engage in new ways with matters of faith and belief.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

Another book I recommend for those considering church consulting is “The Unstuck Church: Equipping Churches to Experience Sustained Health” by Tony Morgan. It offers a comprehensive guide for the church consultant to help churches grow and remain vital. Morgan utilizes his extensive experience in church leadership to dissect the lifecycle of churches and provide strategies for each stage of this lifecycle. The book is a valuable resource for established and emerging church leaders, encouraging them to evaluate their current situations and prepare for the future.

Morgan starts the book by exploring the concept of a church’s lifecycle, breaking it down into seven stages: Launch, Momentum Growth, Strategic Growth, Sustained Health, Maintenance, Preservation, and Life Support. He emphasizes the natural progression of organizations through these stages but underlines the significance of understanding where your church is to apply appropriate growth strategies.

In the ‘Launch’ stage, churches are typically focused on surviving and creating their community. The ‘Momentum Growth’ stage sees the church growing rapidly, often associated with dynamic leadership and clear vision. ‘Strategic Growth’ is characterized by implementing effective structures and systems to manage the growing church. ‘Sustained Health’ is the optimal stage where churches balance the influx of new believers with developing existing members into leaders.

In contrast, the final three stages—’ Maintenance,’ ‘Preservation,’ and ‘Life Support’—reflect declining phases. The ‘Maintenance’ stage is a plateau phase where growth stagnates, while ‘Preservation’ is a declining phase where traditions overshadow the mission. Finally, churches risk closure in the ‘Life Support’ stage if significant changes are not implemented.

Tony Morgan guides leaders in identifying their church’s current stage and what to expect in the following stages. He provides practical advice, tools, and strategies to propel the church toward sustained health. For instance, in the growth stages, he emphasizes the need for a clear vision and mission, good leadership, and efficient systems to manage growth. Conversely, he offers solutions for declining churches that involve challenging the status quo, reviving the mission, and focusing on outreach.

The author also stresses the importance of measuring church health not just by the number of attendees but also by the church’s ability to fulfill its mission, make disciples, and impact its community positively. He argues that a church in ‘Sustained Health’ can have as much impact if not more, than one in ‘Momentum Growth,’ given that it successfully balances attracting new members and nurturing existing ones.

Morgan encourages leaders to take risks and innovate. He emphasizes that churches must constantly adapt to the changing cultural landscape to remain relevant and vibrant. This may involve adjusting their messaging, updating their ministry methods, or changing their physical settings.

Throughout the book, Tony Morgan combines his extensive knowledge of church leadership with a genuine passion for helping churches flourish. He consistently underlines the importance of relying on God’s guidance and the necessity of prayerful decision-making.

“The Unstuck Church” is a valuable resource for church leaders of all types and sizes. It is rich in practical advice, backed by solid theological understanding, and designed to help leaders evaluate their current situations and prepare for the future. Its wisdom transcends denominational boundaries, making it relevant and applicable to any church seeking to navigate the ebbs and flows of its lifecycle effectively.

In conclusion, “The Unstuck Church” by Tony Morgan is a roadmap for churches that want to maintain sustained health and vitality in their mission and ministry. It provides valuable insights into the stages of church growth and the strategies to help maintain momentum, tackle challenges, and ensure continued growth. A church consultant can help churches remain unstuck and vibrant for years by reading and implementing its principles.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.