Part-Time Preaching Job Description
Preachers proclaim the Christian gospel and perform other religious duties, in most cases serving congregations as pastors or itinerant evangelists. Many churches pay full-time wages to their pastors but in some cases ministers work for free or a part-time salary. Working as a part-time pastor is also known as bi-vocational ministry or tent-making.
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Background
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The Bible (New International Version), Acts 18:3 states that the apostle Paul, a prolific writer of the New Testament and early missionary, practiced his trade of making tents while simultaneously pursuing his calling to spread the message of Christ. Although he also made direct statements in the Bible that churches should pay their preachers fairly, he personally refused to accept a salary from churches while he served as their pastor. This fact gave rise to the term "tent-makers" to describe part-time preachers.
Description
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According to the Bible, preachers teach and care for church members. Part-time clergy do the same work as full-time pastors such as providing religious services, providing spiritual guidance and performing other religious functions, such as baptism. They lead their congregations according to the tenants and practices of their denomination, visit the sick, pray, and promote the spiritual health of their constituents.
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Considerations
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According to The Parsonage, a website of the ministry Focus on the Family, bi-vocational pastors provided helpful tips for others considering entering part-time ministry. Suggestions included viewing the work as a calling rather than only a source of income, selecting a flexible job, learning to prioritize carefully, delegating to lay leaders and scheduling family time.
Education and Resources
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According to the University of Missouri, educational requirements for entry into ministry vary greatly. About 75 percent of the clergy possess at least a bachelor's degree. Many denominations require graduate degrees in theology, but others accept anyone who feels called by God. Some denominations provide special resources for part-time clergy and there exist professional associations that offer networking and support.
Salary
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Itinerant part-time evangelists typically accept financial support in the form of gifts and offerings from speaking engagements at churches. Wages for bi-vocational pastors may be set by denomination policy or agreement with the local church. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that wages for full-time clergy in 2009 averaged $20.65 hourly or $42,950 annually.
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References
Resources
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