Bivocational Pastor: Guard Against the 'Lone Ranger' Syndrome

Written by Ray Gilder

Bivocational pastors often find themselves developing a “Lone Ranger” mentality. They are busy and usually alone as they seek to fulfill their ministry responsibilities.

The Character of Leadership

Here are a few suggestions which may help you guard against the “Lone Ranger” syndrome.

Develop A Friendship With A Fellow Bivocational Pastor
Choose someone that has similar interests. Put forth the time and effort to build a friendship. Be sure and include your wives in some of the time together.

Get More Involved In Your Local Association
Let’s face it—you cannot be involved in everything, but you can do some things. You need the fellowship. More help is available for your church than you realize.

Take Advantage Of Email
Set aside some time each day to read and send emails. Make a file of the addresses of close friends and stay in touch. It is a cheap, fast and easy way to relate to those who mean a lot to you.

Join The Southern Baptist Bivocational Ministers Association
Go to the website SBBMA.org and receive information about how to join and what benefits are offered. This way you can be aware of what is being offered in your area.

Attend A Bivocational Ministers and Wives Retreat In Your Area
This should be a part of your vacation plans. Being around your peers and the peers of your wife has great value.

Find A Prayer Partner
Find someone whose heart is tuned like yours. Meet together for honest, open and sincere prayer at least once a month.

Spend More Time With Your Best Friend—Your Wife
Listen to her, value her opinion, give her credit for input, dream together, pray together and celebrate together.

Build A Ministry Team At Your Church
Share the load of leadership responsibilities with a team from your church who have been trained to lead together. Both you and the church will benefit greatly.

Ray Gilder is the Bivocational Ministries Specialist at the Tennesee Baptist Convention and is also a bivocational pastor. He has graciously shared the training he does for bivocational pastors in the following free articles:

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