Dear subscriber,

A Word from Our National Coordinator

Bivocational pastors find themselves struggling with time management as they try to balance personal time, family activities, church responsibilities and second job demands. One thing I have discovered as I have served as a bivocational pastor is that you never have the time for everything that you feel you should be doing in each area of your life. Also, probably no one will be completely satisfied with your performance in any area. Therefore, as a matter of survival, you must be at peace in your heart that you have done your best at accomplishing your primary goals.

You must set your primary goals in each area of responsibility and make sure you do those things that are basic. Other things can be added as time allows.

Two things which seem to be neglected the most are family time and personal devotional time. These two things are essential to maintaining a healthy balance in your life. Your family is perhaps the greatest message you will ever preach. If you fail to maintain your daily walk with the Lord, you lose the joy of ministry and the strength to keep going.

One of the conferences that I will be leading at our National Meeting in Albuquerque in April of next year is “Balancing the Life of a Minister”. Details of the National Meeting can be found on our website at www.bivosmallchurch.net. Lloyd Elder will be leading a conference on “Time Management”. These conferences will be of great help to all who attend.

One positive benefit of meeting other ministers who experience similar pressures that you do is to discover that you are not alone in your struggles. Learning how others deal with the demands of being bivocational is a great by-product of getting together with your peers.

Knowing you are where God put you, which includes being bivocational, and knowing you are giving your best helps you remain faithful until you hear our Lord say “well done, good and faithful servant”.

Help me get the word out about the Bivocational and Small Church Leadership Network. Share with your pastor friends our website www.bivosmallchurch.net and encourage
them to sign up for this enewsletter.

Just a Thought... They will Come!!!

A few year years ago many church leaders saw a movie that featured the key concept, built it and they would come. Too much church space was built on this concept and is still not filled to capacity.

I propose a better principle for church growth is illustrated in this photo sent to me last week in one of those emails... Feed Them & They Will Come!

Jim Smith, newsletter editor

I Peter 5:1-4 from the Message: 1-3 I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it's like to be a leader, in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory. Here's my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.

4-5When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he'll see that you've done it right and commend you lavishly. And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for—
 

In you have news or other item you would like to share with our network, please send your information to Ray or myself. We need word files and jpeg files for the visuals.

Ray Gilder: rgilder@TNBaptist.org

Jim Smith: jsmith@pastorsline.com

Mid-Continent University

Mid-Continent University which houses the Regional Bi-vocational Resource Center offers bi-vocational training through certificate and degree programs. The two certificate programs are Biblical Studies and Christian ministry. These certificates may be obtained through small groups and independent studies. The traditional degree programs are designed so the student may receive two majors without taking extra courses. An example would be Biblical Studies and Business Management.

There are several optional plans for the double major one option to be offered is in an on-line format. The university also offers an accelerated degree with a major in Christian Ministry. This degree may be obtained by attending one night a week for four hours a night. For more information about the Regional Bi-vocational Resource Center contact Dr. Larry Orange at lorange@midcontinent.edu or 1-270-247-8521 x 232

Bivocational Regional Resource Centers

Bivocational Regional
Resource Centers
of the Southern Baptist
Bivocational Ministers Association
Educators for Bivocational Ministry

Purpose: A Regional Bivocational Resource Center seeks throughout its geographical region
encourage, promote, connect, and serve bivocational/smaller membership churches, ministers,
and families for their effective service in God’s kingdom. Primarily within its role as an
a Baptist, Christian educational institution, each Resource Center will:

1. Maintain training programs for the leadership and functions of church bivocational ministry.
(Examples: professional/ministry seminars and conferences, certificates and CEU’s, academic
credit courses, degree program, mentoring and consulting, and peer-group learning)

2. Designate leadership for the Center: such as a Director or Coordinator, with support staff
available. (Goal of the position could be ½ or full-time.)

3. Provide on the Campus a fully equipped physical location for the Center. (Could include
telephone, fax, e-mail, Web access, copy machine, etc.)

4. Develop and maintain a “Resource Lab” that specializes in resources for different aspects
bivocational ministry. (Standards and guidelines may be developed and suggested by the
Educators Group.)

5. Make available conferences and events on campus for the benefit of bivocationals. (These
might also benefit other ministry groups.)

6. Host or co-host events for the region, and within the region, that include and benefit
bivocationals.

7. Participate on a regular basis with the SBBMA, its leadership, events, and the leadership
other Regional Centers. (On an annual basis provide a report to SBBMA of the work
Center.)

8. Partner with SBBMA and its entities to fulfill the purpose and objectives of the Association,
and, in every way possible to champion and advance bivocational ministry as an authentic
biblical pattern and an essential strategy in our day and for the generations to come.

SUMMARY:

Regional Bivocational Resource Center

• Training Programs
• Center leadership
• Center location
• Resource “lab”
• On-campus events
• Regional events
• SBBMA participation
• Association objectives

Seven Ways The Moench Center

Seven Ways the Moench Center Serves Bivocational and Small Church Ministers and Ministries.
By Lloyd Elder and Joyce M. Byrd

Just what can the Moench Center do to assist you in your kingdom service for Christ? Ministers on the front line are telling us again and again that one of their most common needs is leadership training—of course, that’s along with more time, financial resources, and life support systems.

For the thirteen years since its inauguration, the Moench Center for Church Leadership of Belmont University has had a unique commitment and relationship to bivocational and small churches, including the SBBMA. Providing resources for the leadership development of congregational ministers and lay leaders has been rewarding to us as we seek to fulfill our Center’s purpose.

Seven significant ways we can work by your side in the on-going task of leadership development for bivo/small church ministries are summarized:

1. Examine our SkillTrack Leadership curriculum as a biblical, practical, and affordable resource for your leadership training needs. We offer 25+ educational products, including print texts and study guides, and 10 interactive CD’s.

2. Evaluate leadership training needs, both in your own ministry, and for those within your ministry leadership team; compare this with our SkillTrack resources.

3. Select and order SkillTrack courses that meet your most immediate needs. Remember: we offer a 20% discount if you are a Bivo/Small Church minister. Just request a catalog and discount either by e-mail to skilltrack@mail.belmont.edu ; or call 615-460-5580.

4. Utilize one or more of the following proven SkillTrack

• strategies for developing leaders within your congregation:
• independent study at set times and places, followed by intentional application of the skills;
• computer study utilizing one of the CD and Study Guide sets, with continuous efforts to apply in action;
• gather a discussion or peer-group around a selected SkillTrack Leadership text or lesson; emphasize practices;
• mentor a beginning staff or lay minister by using one of the S K training products;
• identify your core ministry team and schedule regular training sessions to multiply shared effectiveness.

5. Explore our Skilltrack Leadership Certification plans; one of them may just fit the ongoing needs of you or your team.

6. Use the research in SkillTrack materials to enrich your teaching the whole congregation regarding stewardship, mission leadership, change & conflict management, etc.

7. Visit our Website hosted by Moench Center and SkillTrack Leadership to enlarge your resource base for leadership training. www.servantleaderstoday.com

Conclusion: We are glad to be an educational partner with SBBMA and the new Network. Please call on us to assist your congregation in any way.

The Moench Center supported SBBMA during the last decade as an Educational Partner; MC hosted Committee meetings; served as a contact office; and hosted the Website.

- Joyce M. Byrd served as secretary and treasurer of the Association and its Coordinating Council; advisor to the SBBMA officers; developer and former editor of the SBBMA Website; and contributor and member of the “One in a Thousand Club.”
- Lloyd Elder served as leadership consultant to the Association and a member of its planning group; a member and former president of Educators for Bivocational Ministry; contributor and member of the “One in a Thousand Club”; and leader of selected programs and leadership seminars.

Application for Partnership

Bivocational Regional Resource Centers of the Southern Baptists Bivocational Ministers Association-Educators for Bivocational Ministry-

Application for Partnership

The following application requests information from an Educational Institution applying as a Bivocational Regional Resource Center of the Southern Baptist Bivocational Ministers Association. For application guidelines, see the attached eight-part description of a Regional Center. Fill in the requested information on this computer form below:

1. Name of the Applying Educational Institution:

2. Designation of the Responsible Unit or Program:

3. Bivocational Program Leader/Contact Person:

4. Contact for Bivocational Regional Resource Center:

5. Defined Bivocational Ministry Programs:
Provide a summary of current and anticipated programs and strategies:

6. Content of the Center and Resource Lab:

7. Membership and Active Participation:

8. Annual Membership Fee:
Charter members sought between now and April 1, 2008; membership fee is to be decided by members of the Educators group in their April, 2008 meeting. Contributions appreciated now to meet nominal expenses.

Note: Send Application to the President of the SBBMA Educators for Bivocational Ministry, currently David Sandifer, at: dsandifer@campbellsville.edu.

9. Name of Institution’s Representative:

10. Date sent to President of the SBBMA Educators: