Gone are the days when full-time pastoral ministry was the default. Across denominations, clergy are choosing or being called into bi-vocational roles — combining church leadership with other forms of employment. This trend is not just practical; it reflects a shift toward grassroots, community-embedded ministry.
Bi-vocational pastors bring fresh insights and real-world experience into their congregations. However, this model also demands new frameworks of support, time management, and congregational expectations. As this trend grows, seminaries and denominations are rethinking how they train and resource today’s multi-skilled ministers.