Southern Baptist Milestones in Bivocational Ministry

• First article on bivocational ministry appeared in Home Missions Magazine in September 1977.
• Dr. J. T. Burdine employed by Home Missions Board as national bivocational consultant.
• 1977-1979 materials were developed. Conferences were held in many state conventions.
• 1978, deans from SBC Seminaries met at Midwestern Seminary to plan adequate training for bivocational ministers.
• 1979, a national convocation for bivocational ministers was held at Ridgecrest, North Carolina.
• 1979, Dr. J. T. Burdine “went home to wear his crown”. 1980, Dr. Dale Holloway was employed as national consultant for bivocational ministries.
• 1999, Leon Wilson was employed as national missionary for bivocational ministries.

Circumstances and Happenings 1980-2003

• A national council on bivocational ministries was formed. The Southern Baptist Bivocational Ministers Association was organized in Jackson, Mississippi.
• State bivocational councils were organized in 13 state conventions.
• The national newsletter “The Bivocational Beacon” was initiated, reaching a circulation of 15,000.
• Conferences for associational directors of missions were held each year at Glorieta and Ridgecrest.
• Connections were forged with The National In-service Guidance association (The Christian Studies Directors in Southern Baptist Colleges and Seminaries)
• Activities were maintained at all Southern Baptist Seminaries including the Canadian Seminary.
• National Celebration Sunday was promoted by the Southern Baptist state newspapers.
• Curriculum was developed for intentional bivocational ministries at seminaries and colleges.
• Bivocational fellowships were started at colleges and seminaries.
• Four books were published: The Bivocational Pastor by Dr. Luther Dorr; A Reader for Bivocational Pastors by Doran McCarty; The Dual Role Minister by Jim Green; The Tentmaker Manual by Dr. Robin Brumfield.
• A video “Minister in the Marketplace” was developed and used as an awareness medium by directors of mission and college and seminary professors.
• Nine regional consultants were chosen, trained and deployed across the nation.

Current Strengths

• Many bivocational websites by Southern Baptists and other denominations have been established and maintained.
• A few states have employed fulltime staff members or consultants to lead bivocational work in California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and South Carolina.
• Regional bivocational celebrations are maintained; Appalachia, Mid-south and Where the Rivers Meet.
• The Southern Baptist bivocational ministers association has annual meetings.

Current Weaknesses

• The Bivocational Beacon is no longer published.
• The national bivocational missionary’s work is limited to encouraging new church starts. (The other major areas of bivocational needs are neglected.)
• A national bivocational consultant needs to be supported by a SBC agency.
• No staff person is responsible for coordinating bivocational ministries in the SBC, which include:
1. Affirmation and encouragement.
2. Preparation and training for intentional bivocational ministers.
3. Communication, publication and material development.
4. Coordination of state and regional activities.
5. Assisting the organization of state bivocational councils in the SBC.