Bivocational ministry describes someone with a secular job and also loves to preach and teach God’s word in the local church. They may be a Pastor of a church, a leader, or an itinerant preacher visiting a number of different churches. Also known as lay preaching, bivocational ministry is a key part of the Baptist Church in Scotland where a number of churches have no permanent, full-time Pastor. It also provides a training ground for equipping future preachers and leaders in the church – a way of testing their calling to word ministry.

On 12th May the Scottish Baptist Lay Preachers Association has its annual conference. I am helping to organise the event as it is in my home church of Central Baptist Church in Dundee. The conference will run from 10am until 4pm, with two sessions by the Baptist Union of Scotland General Director, Alan Donaldson. The theme is that of Discovery after Captain Scott’s famous ship, anchored in Dundee.

As someone who is learning how to balance a demanding secular job, young family and commitment to ministry of the word I find that being bivocational brings great challenges and rewards. In our secular, often anti-Christian society in the UK, I believe it is one of the most effective means of reaching our generation with the gospel. I’m looking forward to hearing more about this  at the conference.

So, if you live in Scotland and want to join other bivocational ministers for a day of encouragement, edification and challenge, or simply want to find out more about what it means to be bivocational, then come along. Further details are available here.