So, who do you work for, and what exactly do you do? Pioneers might have a hard time answering this question.
They follow conviction – a belief that something not yet realized can become reality. A pioneer can be an explorer, going where no one has been before. She might be a prospector, believing that there is gold to be found in the claim they have staked. A pioneer can be an inventor, believing that an idea or what is science fiction can become reality.
A pioneer can also be a church planter or a pastor – acting on a conviction that God has called, and that God is more than able to bring into reality a church composed of believers who at this moment, are yet to become followers of Jesus Christ.
We need church pioneers – but most of us are settlers! We have a preference for what is tangible and proven over what has not been done before. We prefer to follow the pathways, established and mapped out by others over blazing new trails of our own. We have come to rely upon programs and methods over faith and trusting God to do what only He can. Rather that boldly risking, we seek to avoid failure.
While we need both settlers and pioneers, I do hope that all of us have at least a “pioneer spirit.”
The EFCC has a rich history of pioneers. Men and women, who, convinced of the call of God, stepped out in faith to plant churches, while supporting themselves through various work. They shared the gospel as they went about their daily work, and joined with others in birthing churches.
Paul writes of his pioneering ministry in Romans 15:17-21: (The Message).
Looking back over what has been accomplished and what I have observed, I must say I am most pleased—in the context of Jesus, I’d even say proud, but only in that context. I have no interest in giving you a chatty account of my adventures, only the wondrously powerful and transformingly present words and deeds of Christ in me that triggered a believing response among the outsiders. In such ways I have trailblazed a preaching of the Message of Jesus all the way from Jerusalem far into northwestern Greece. This has all been pioneer work, bringing the Message only into those places where Jesus was not yet known and worshiped. My text has been, Those who were never told of him— they’ll see him! Those who’ve never heard of him— they’ll get the message!
Let’s pray for and join our “pioneer” church planters and pioneer bi-vocational pastors.(see prayer requests below). There may be more “dream” and vision than tangible results to show for their work, but there is a conviction that in Christ, there is potential for a fresh and fruitful work of God to be established.
While sometimes, bi-vocational ministry is necessary, due to the inability of the church or church or/church plant to financially support a pastor, it can also be strategic to building and growing a church ministry.
As churches grow, one who has been bi-vocational will often, of necessity, need to become full-time in serving the church, simply due to time and capacity.
One of the challenges of vocational pastoral ministry can be isolation. While not sought, it can be a consequence of focusing one’s time and energy on serving the people of the local church congregation. There simply is not a lot of time for developing relationships with those outside the church. Even our “workmates” are part of the local church.
A bi-vocational pastor has opportunity to engage the community through work outside the church, and this gives opportunity to reach out and lead by example.
Our Lower Pacific District currently has four ministry opportunities for Pioneer Bi-vocational Pastors. I refer them to “pioneers” because that is the spirit that is needed – to go, and trusting God, believe that He has called you to participate in building Christ’s church. Two of these are for Pioneer Bi-vocational (Quadra Island Bible Church and Christ Community Church in Ucluelet) and the second two are for part-time youth pastors at North Delta EFC and Grace EFC in Richmond (Mandarin).
Here’s a link to these postings at our LPD Website:
https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/opportunities/
Are you open to considering bi-vocational ministry? Here are a couple or articles to consider. We will be glad to speak with you as you consider God’s leading in your life and future:
7-reasons-bi-vocational-ministry-isnt-plan-b/
Here is another link
bi-vocational-ministry-3-way-to-thrive-not-just-survive/
Please pray for:
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“Pastoral Approaches: The Church & Same-Sex Attraction.” Saturday, October 20 at Richmond Chinese EFC, 9AM – 4PM. This is a follow up and further resourcing of our LPD Conference presentation. All pastors and lay-leaders are welcome! Cost: $10.00 per registrant. Please register online at our LPD Website: https://www.lpd-efcc.ca/
