MINISTERS NEWSLETTER Ken Cook, Editor

July 2012

Joe YoungPastor, Calvary Chapel of Parchman, SBCPast President, Mississippi BSCLN

After years of knocking at the door of theNorth American Mission Board, under at

least three presidents, NAMB President Kevin Ezell hasfinally answered the door, and once he finally listened tobivocational pastors as we made our case, he has ac-knowledged that we are the “Iron Men” of the SouthernBaptist Convention. About half of all our Southern Bap-tist churches are led by bivocational pastors. 25% of ourchurches run less than 25 in Sunday School, and 50%have less than 50. With those statistics, it is easy to un-derstand why those churches cannot fully compensatetheir pastors. Some people think that bivocational, “working” pas-tors are men who do not have training or leadershipskills. Quite the contrary. Many of the most capable pas-tors I know are serving in dual roles, enabling their finan-cially-strapped churches to afford top-quality leadership.They also enable their churches to spend more on mis-sions. Kevin Ezell has recognized this fact, and along with oneof his vice presidents, Aaron Coe, has acknowledged that10,000 more bivocational pastors are needed in NorthAmerica to plant the churches that we need to reach ourland for Christ. On Monday of the Southern Baptist Con-vention in New Orleans, he plans to recognize bivocationalpastors at a Send North America Luncheon for all attend-ing the Pastors Conference. Bivocational pastors plantmost of the new churches in our denomination, and alwayshave. The new president recognizes that NAMB NEEDSbivocational pastors. They provide the pool from whichmost church planters come. Previous leaders have said NAMB should only workwith bivocational church planters. That viewpoint has itsmerits, but in reality, if nobody works with bivocationalpastors, few of them will ever hear or answer the call to

plant churches bivocationally. If one goes bass fishing,he does not wait until he finds a lake that only containsbass. No, he finds a lake that has fish, and where the fishare, the bass will be also. Several of us from Mississippi have just returnedfrom Little Rock where we attended the BivocationalAnnual Celebration. There we learned of huge initia-tives to train bivocational pastors. Louisiana College,with a $5 million grant from the Caskey Foundation hasopened a School of Theology especially for the bivo. With57 already enrolled, students will have scholarships fortuition but must pay their own meals, books, and travel.All work will be done online, but students must attendseminars every sixth weekend on the Pineville campus.Another significant benchmark has been reached at Lib-erty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, where that schoolis targeting on training bivocational pastors to impact theworld. Surely much of the attention placed on bivos is dueto the declining economy. We have always been themen to step up to the plate when times were bad. Wedon’t resign our churches and walk away when there’sno paycheck. Like Br’er Rabbit of long ago children’sliterature, we were “born and bred in the Briar Patch.”We’re accustomed to hard times. Like the Apostle Paul,we can make tents, teach school, weld, do carpentry,farm, drive school buses, and most anything else tokeep the light on in the church and food on our family’stable. I count it an honor that until my retirement I was abivocational pastor who earned his keep in professionaleducation. Today I am still bivocational in that I serveboth a local church and our state convention as a contractconsultant. We can all hold our heads high for Christ,proudly serving him to reach His world for Him, withwhatever it takes. In fact, that theme of Whatever It Takes has now beenadopted by the North American Mission Board as its slogan.They have learned much from you. God bless you all!

M i s s i s s i p p i B a p t i s t C o n v e n t i o n B o a r dM i s s i s s i p p i B a p t i s t C o n v e n t i o n B o a r d

by Ann Holloway

Being a bivocationalpastor’s wife is an awe-some responsibility …

full of demands and frustrations! But lifecan have a sweet spirit when she is intune with God, her husband, and hisministry. Probably, ACCEPTANCEshould be the number one priority.The fact has been established that he wascalled of God and she should realize thatsince she is married to him, she is theminister’s wife. It is just that simple! Ifshe has accepted her position and has aSTRONG COMMITMENT to God, then,

more than likely, she will be committedto her husband as well.Also, it is so important for the Bivoca-tional couple to have an effective SUP-PORT SYSTEM. A minister needsconsistent encouragement and feedback-and-evaluation, especially, from some-one who loves and understands him …his wife. As a sounding board, he can talkout problems and ideas with her. She canbe available to him and be confidential tohis trust. Whatever the secrets, let themdie their natural deaths at home. If heconfides in you, it means you are thestopgap. More than likely, he feels thathis wife is his greatest earthly asset. Be

sure he can count on you!As the wife of a bivocational minister, Ifeel very strongly about involving my-self in his work and being an ENCOUR-AGER to him. It is our responsibility todevelop a better understanding of thework and ministry of “ministers’ wives.”We can provide encouragement, sup-port, fellowship, offer training opportu-nities, encourage individual growth anddevelopment toward professional excel-lence, and promote spiritual edification.Just as Abraham was “rich because ofSarah,” so your husband is rich becauseof you!

partners assisting the Lord’s servants

All across Mississippi there are churches beingserved by wonderful men who are bivocational.Generally, the term bivocational refers to the factthat these men work at one job in order to sup-

plement their income to enable them to serve at a church.These are not people who serve our churches on the side; in-stead, these are people who serve our churches and work onthe side! About 40% of the churches in our Mississippi Bap-tist Convention are unable to support a pastor full-time; so,with the church’s help, and with the pastor working to helphimself, a ministry is provided.

These “bivos” come in all shapes and sizes, and they comewith a variety of combinations to help provide a living. Theseare preacher/lawyers, preacher/doctors, preacher/teachers,preacher/mechanics, preacher/insurance agents,preacher/law enforcement personnel, preacher/carpenters(if I recall correctly, our Lord Jesus may have been one ofthese), and many other combinations, I am sure. These aresome wonderful men and I do not know what we would dowithout them.

Occasionally, I have had one of our bivocational preach-ers express some feelings of inferiority because they maynot have the time to be at all of our Baptist meetings or theyfeel their training is not up to that of a full-time pastor. Inreality, it is probably some of the rest of us who need to feela sense of inferiority, especially when you recognize what

these men do, the hours they give, and the love they show,extending far beyond just normal activities and stretchingthem in both life and ministry.

Most of these men work a full-time job and then findtime and energy to study and prepare sermons, visit andcare for the people, witness to lost souls, visit in the hospi-tals, perform weddings and funerals, counsel people, andalso have a family life. To all of our bivocational pastors Iwant to say a huge Thank you!

Thank you, for the sacrifices you make as you arestretched between two vocations.Thank you, for being sensitive to God’s call when youare already involved in meaningful work.Thank you, for helping supplement your livelihoodwhen our churches have been unable.Thank you, for finding a way to make some hours anddays available in order for you to participate in associ-ational and state-wide activities.Thank you, for the beautiful way that you fill two jobswhen some of us don’t have the energy to take care of one.Thank you, for preaching so effectively and leading socaringly that most of your church members hardlythink about you in terms of your daily job, but are onlyable to see you in that special high calling of pastor.Thank you to the churches, who recognize the gifts anddedication of these pastors and support them as theylead.

The author can be contacted at jfutral@mbcb.org

BRAVOS FOR BIVOS by Dr. Jim Futral

“The mission of this network is doing whatever it takes to encourage, promote and serve Bivocational andsmaller membership churches, ministers, and families in Christ’s kingdom service within local congregations

and communities, the Southern Baptist family, and the larger Christian movement.”

If you will search with these five letters on the Web: BSCLN, the first thing that comes up will

bring you to our National Network. The side bar will lead you to a wealth of encouraging in-

formation, newsletters, sermons, events, and articles.

(This Web site has already logged 70,000 hits.)

The North American Mission Board is sponsor-ing a “Send North American Luncheon” at theSouthern Baptist Convention in New Orleans,Monday, June 18, during the Pastors Conferencefor pastors, staff, and spouses. A special recogni-tion will be made for all bivocational pastors inattendance.

This is a formal sit-down banquet lunch in whichthere will be special recognition for bivocationalpastors and planters (“Iron Men of the SBC” –Kevin Ezell). The first 200 bivocational ministersto register will be free. After that number isreached the registration will only be $10.

Here are the steps for registration:Step 1. Visit: https://snaluncheon.com/Step 2. Enter your personal information and

under PROMO CODE, enter the code(SNAL12BIVO) and press APPLY

Step 3. Submit RegistrationStep 4. Print your ticket(s)

I regret if this note gets to youafter the event.

Your friend and brother,Dale

A BANQUET FOR YOU

Mississippi BIVOCATIONAL/SMALL CHURCH

MINISTERS ASSOCIATION

I Timothy 1:12

Jimmy McCaleb is a LAMB who can ROAR! How can a person with such a gentle spirit blesslives around the world?

It is with sadness, but with much gratitude to God for what He has done, that we announceBro. Jimmy McCaleb's retirement at the end of May from the Church Music Department of theMississippi Baptist Convention. Bro. Jimmy has faithfully served as our Smaller Church/As-sociational Contract Consultant for over 20 years!! Undoubtedly, he has encouraged, mentored,and touched the lives of literally thousands of people through his ministry across our state, na-tion, and world. We are in awe of this man and his legacy of ministry.

There is only one Jimmy McCaleb! He is unique, specially gifted by God, and continues toserve the Lord faithfully with great personal motivation for the future. His heart is so pure forthe work of the Lord, especially where it impacts the smaller church/bivocational/volunteerminister.

Jimmy has been recognized as the official “Song Hister” of the National Bivocational Association for 30 years. Jimmyand his precious wife, Ashley, have conducted prayer walks “where hymns were born” in Wales, Sweden, Scotland,Canada, Ireland, France, and Italy. His wife is the most exemplary mission leader and Sunday School teacher I haveever encountered.

He co-authored CHURCH MUSIC RFD with Dan C. Hall.This book has been taught in colleges, seminaries and used byministers and missionaries worldwide.

THE TOPICS CHOSEN AS “EXTREMELY VALUABLE” AND “VERY VALUABLE”:

• encouragement & affirmation for me personally

• Greater connection, identification & communication with the denomination

• How to identify, equip, & mobilize people for ministry

• opportunities to fellowship with other ministers

• professional growth & development

Slater Murphy, Director of Church Music, MBCBand

Dale Holloway, Bivocational/Small Church Specialist, MBCB

RESULTS OF RECENT BIVOCATIONAL PASTOR SURVEY

Bivocational Pastor Responses

GREATER JOYS of Pastors

• to see souls saved

• Working with my church

• the fellowship and support of our members

• seeing people come to Christ

• seeing changes made in lives

• to be in the center of God’s will

• Family, wife and son

• sharing with others

• Ministering in the work place

• seeing my ministry reproduce

• serving – sharing – giving

GREAT DIFFICULTIES of Pastors

• Finding enough time to visit

• inadequate time with my family

• people neglecting to follow God’s plan

• i fell like a juggler sometimes

• Getting people to be faithful in serving God

• inadequate time to be a good pastor

• inadequate time for study

May has arrived in just the nick of time. Getting out

of school is the central focus of many, (including

my wife and kids). Children will be signing up for summer

camp, teens will be looking for summer work, and parents

will be planning vacations. These opportunities challenge

even the strongest Christian families to find God’s will.

Many distractions move our thoughts in a change of direc-

tion. It is our responsibility as pastors to encourage the

family of God and by reminding them the importance of

commitment and service to the Lord. Time has changed

and daylight is growing longer. People are investing in

projects that become great excuses to stay home from

church. “Get the Job Done” becomes the motto. No matter

what it takes becomes the result. I wish we could bottle

that same passion and serve it to a few church families. I

do believe honey-do-projects are just as important as sum-

mer camp and memories of playing on the beach. I would

not take anything for the good times with my family and

memories of our vacations. I am just saying we all need to

keep a balance check in our lives which produces account-

ability. “Get the Job Done” needs to become the mindset

of our spiritual hearts. Paul encourages us in I Corinthians

16:13-14 to “Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of

courage; be strong. Do everything in love.”

Being a double-duty workman for the Lord has its ad-

vantages and disadvantages. The advantages begin with

life experiences in the field. These lessons can become a

bridge in building common ground with members. These

can also become illustrations your church will never forget.

Never be intimidated to use opportunities which God has

given you in your workplace to drive home a point. The

disadvantages can occur from a lack of communication.

Communication, I believe, is the key to a healthy and vi-

brant growing church. I encourage you to get the word out

weekly, your desire to know when others are sick and in

the hospital. Many of us do not have the luxury of a secre-

tary to answer the phone, retrieve messages, and schedule

events. Let your people know your desire to be made

aware of any sicknesses. This may add a few extra trips to

the hospital or even minutes to your phone bill. The end

result will be a thankful family who sees that their pastor

is concerned for their well-being. Verse for the quarter:

Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your

heart, as working for the Lord and not for men.” This is

another verse I try to live every day that God allows me to

be on this earth, “To God be the Glory for the great things

He has done.” Tell someone this week of the great and

powerful God you serve. I have prayed for you this day,

my brother!! Keep serving the Lord in your ministry.

P.S. I pray you are putting your best foot forward

for V.B.S. This is an awesome opportunity to reach our

children for Christ.

In Him,

Andy Fullington

Hello Fellow Workers in the Lord,

My goal is to assist you and walk beside you in providing

encouragement and affirmation of your bivocational minis-

ters. Together, we can understand their felt needs and pro-

vide a stronger tie to the association and the Mississippi

Baptist Convention.

In addition to providing resources and materials, we need

to give them something else … our sincere attention. We need

to look in their eyes, open both ears to their perceptions and

felt needs. Let us not be presumptuous to what they need.

They do need inspiration and challenge. They do need also a

caring shepherd to walk beside them as they work out the

unique ministry God has planned for their lives.

I am glad associational missions directors are my mission

brothers. I know missions is in your heart. I suspect, if we

checked, we would find missions is in your DNA. I marvel

at the great mission work taking place in your association,

not the least of which is being THE Pastor’s Pastor. I want to

partner with you in providing:

• resources

• challenges

• affirmation

• encouragement to your bivocational pastors

I’ll be pleased to join with the first six of you in providing

resources in a Bivocational/Small Church Celebration, some-

time in this fall or next spring. God has called some of us to

be successful. God has called all of us to be faithful.

Dale Holloway

Bivocational/Small Church Specialist

MBCB

“tHe pastor’s pastor”reCoGniZinG and HonorinG aLL tHe 68 aMd’s in tHe Mississippi Baptist Convention

Mississippi Baptist Convention Board

MISSISSIPPI COUNCIL ON BIVOCATIONAL/SMALL CHURCH MINISTRIESpo Box 530

Jackson Ms 39205

address serviCe reqUestedMississippi BIVOCATIONAL/SMALL CHURCH

MINISTERS ASSOCIATION

I Timothy 1:12

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