Just wanted to share something briefly about the experience of becoming a bi-vocational pastor.

It’s great to have a day job!  Really, 8 hours a day, five days a week – and I get to relax at lunch!  After fifteen years of full time ministry, the work days seem short.  The Lord opened up a job for me at Murray Engineering.   It’s a small company, and I have been pleasantly surprised to find very little relational stress among the people here – actually, none that I can detect.  There’s no drama, no hysterics, and plenty of work to do.  Some might call that boring, but I find it to be really refreshing.   My employers also seem intent on resolving tensions.  I respect that.

Every day I go to quiet office and enjoy engaging work.  I’m back in the world of engineering, but no longer as an electrical engineer – I’m pretty much starting over learning structural engineering.  (It’s probably not for everyone, but I’m having fun!)  The work requires a lot of concentration, thinking, and attention to detail.  At the end of the day, my mind is kind of tired, but I’m not emotionally tired.  I leave with energy for ministry.

And I think that’s the key for bi-vocational ministry.  Finding work that allows you to leave at the end of the day with energy for ministry.   And I know things can change.   Actually, I know things will change.  But for now, I’m just really grateful.  I get do engineering again AND I get to lead a church established for a movement of mission and discipleship on the First Coast.  I feel blessed.

Got to get back to work…