THE RELEVANCY OF BI-VOCATIONAL CHURCH WORKERS IN CHRISTIANS’ MINISTRY
By
Adedokun Nehemiah Adeseun,
BIBLE-BASED BAPTIST CHURCH,
Ilero Road, Iganna,
Iwajowa Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria.
DEFINITION OF BI-VOCATIONAL
Bi-Vocational is an adjective word which erupted from the word Bi-Vocation and this word “Bi-Vocation” in a simple term denotes Bi-Profession. This implies two different work or two different occupations or two different jobs which are being practised together by a person. Bi-Vocational simply means “pertaining to Bi-Vocation, or concerning Bi-Vocation”. Now the word “Bi-Vocational” means “anything which is related with two different work or job or occupation”. Bi-Vocational is “of Double occupations”.
The Church Workers of double vocations as Levites are still relevant. The acts of Bi-vocational Church workers has their base in the scriptures because it has been a practice since nearly the beginning of the creation to the era of Jesus Christ and His Apostles, even till this contemporary period, there is manifestation of the practice of double vocations by Pastors and other Church workers as Levites. We should observe some of the biblical Ministers of God that involved in double vocations in their times as below.
BIBLICAL NOAH AS A BI-VOCATIONAL MINISTER OF HIS TIME
In the very beginning, when mankind were violent and living in wickedness which may result at destruction of the hand-work of God, the God was unpleasant with them, He (God) searched and got the man called Noah as a man who could be useful for the God’s purpose. Noah was the person whom the scripture identifies and documented as the first spiritual leader (Priest) that God used as Saviour of mankind against the first world flood around the year 2944BC to 1994BC. The scripture records that Noah was identified and recognised by God as a righteous, blameless man and a faithful man of God (Genesis 6: 9). Being righteous, blameless and faithful one are the three qualities among others which the Lord God observed in Noah and made him worthy to be called by God. Then, God called Noah and He (God) assigned Noah to serve as a Priest of redemption for the continuity of human race (Genesis 6: 14) around 2464BC. God instructed Noah how the redemptive assignment would be carried out, he (Noah) patiently listened and followed the instructions one step after the other as the Mighty God instructed him (Genesis 6: 14 – 20).
Then, God knew that Noah and his household couldn’t do without feeding (food) in the process of the assignment given to him, He (God) mandated Noah to made provisions for food-stuff (edible) for mankind (including himself) and livestock kept (Genesis 6: 21).
There is no doubt that right from the time of Adam and Eve was the farming began as a primary and major source of mankind’s welfare till the time of Noah. Even till this present time, agricultural industries are extremely valuable. It is indicated in the scripture (Genesis 6: 21) that Noah practised farming even when God called him into the ministry, he was mandated to feed all the animates in the Ark with him. This implies that Noah was emerged (through God’s mandate) as Bi-vocation Minister and involved in farming as another vocation in support of Noah and his household welfare when Noah was in the ministry entrusted to him by God (Genesis 9: 3).
For the God directly instructed Noah in the scripture and says:- You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.” Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything – Genesis 6: 21, 9: 3 (NIV), this implies that it was God Himself that instructed Noah to be involved in other job (i.e. farming) as support in his ministry for his household welfare so as to alleviate hunger. He who therefore is convinced by God to be a Bi-vocational Pastor should comply because being a Bi-vocational Pastor (or Church worker) is relevant in these days.
MOSES AS A MINISTER OF POLITICO-RELIGIOUS MIXED MINISTRIES
Moses was born in the year 1526 B. C. and he was called into the ministry of God as a leader of Israelites’ nation, and also as the Prophet of Israel around 1447/1446 B. C. when he was at the age of 80-years shepherding his father-in-law (Jethro)’s flocks. Moses was called as a Theocratic leader onto the Israelites as a nation where he served as both political and religious leader (this is Bi-Vocational). The political responsibilities of Moses on Israel were plainly identified for he was called on Israelites by God to act as the Supreme leader or Prime Minister or National President of a country, he was the same leader who served as the Attorney General and Chief Justice of the Israelites’ Federation. Moses was also called to teach morally, socially and religiously.
BIBLICAL MOSES AS A TEACHER
According to the Bible, Moses passed to the Israelites essential moral instructions, taught them civil and ceremonial code designed to transform the Israelites from enslavement and captivity to a godly nation. Moses primarily received the teachings from God on Mount Sinai and documented them all down in the Pentateuch (or Torah) i. e. the first five books of the Bible (which are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) in his preparation for teaching the Israelites and he delivered the lessons when necessary. The teaching-learning process focused on establishing a unique godly social life in the Israelites’ society based on justice, compassion, and exclusive devotion to God.
Here are the key moral and ethical teachings Moses taught the Israelites:
MOSES TAUGHT THE ISRAELITES’ NATION MORAL FOUNDATION (THE TEN COMMANDMENTS)
Exactly as the God taught Moses the moral rules and regulations, Moses taught the Israelites. The moral rules and regulations based on the Israelites’ relationship with God and relationship between an Israelite and his or her neighbours were also taught as follows:-
As a religious Teacher, Moses taught the Israelites what to do to sustain healthy relationship with God and how mankind could be guided through a set of principles to establish cordial, mutual and godly relationship within each others (Exodus 20: 3 – 8, 22 – 26). And again,
Devotion to God: Moses taught the Israelites to Deny and Prohibit idolatry and acknowledge God’s name.
The Sabbath: He commanded the Israelites to rest and honor the Lord on the seventh day (Saturday) of each week.
Separation from Sin: Following the idolatry of the golden calf, in his teaching, Moses insisted that the Israelites should be warned and separate themselves from corrupting influences to maintain the covenant with God.
In Exodus 20: 9 – 17, Moses taught Israelites Social and Morals as a School Teacher.
Love for Neighbours and Social Justice
1. Loving Neighbours – a Must in Israel:- This was a content among others in Moses’ teaching. In the book of Leviticus (Leviticus 19:18), Moses clearly and strictly mandated the Israelites to live healthy and harmonious life with their neighbours. The statement “love your neighbor as yourself (Exodus 20: 13 – 17),” which Moses emphasis in his teaching was a guide for interpersonal relationship with one another in the Israelites’ society.
2. Care for the Weak:- Moses teaching of the Ten Commandments of God mandated that the Israelites should take care of the less-privileged ones among the Israelites like the poor, strangers (foreigners), the widows and the orphans (Exodus 22: 22 – 23, Deuteronomy 10: 17 – 18).
3. Fair Justice: As the Israelites’ Nation leader, Moses compelled the Israelites to have a set of people as judges and instructed all the Israelites’ selected judges to be impartial, forbidding bribery and ensuring that both native Israelites and foreigners received equal justice (Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy).
4. Social Morality: Commands prohibition of humans’ killing (or murdering), theft (stealing), adultery (unlawful sexual-intercourse) lying (false witness), and coveting (Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy).
5. Personal Hygiene and Ritual Holiness:- “Be Holy as God is Holy” Moses reminded the Israelites in his teaching that God is Holy and because God is holy, the Israelites must also be holy in their daily lives, that Israelites must always be spiritually and physically hygienic which included dietary laws (clean/unclean), sexual morality, and honest business dealings.
6. Integrity and Obedience (Commitment within): Moses taught that obedience was not merely external compliance but required a heart devoted to God.
Moses instructed the Israelites to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength, by keeping the commandments of God in their hearts and they should be passing the commandments from one generation to another as their traditions these commandments should be diligently taught to the Israelites’ children (Deuteronomy 6), Moses instructed.
Moses’ teachings were meant to set Israel apart as a extra ordinary nation from other nations, making them a “kingdom of priests” that reflected God’s character through their righteous living. Moses taught the Israelites that the law was not just ritualistic but required ethical behavior toward others, often elevating the rights of the vulnerable.
Moses served the Israelites’ Nation as national Leader, while he was Political Leader in Israel, he was also the Supreme Prophet in the same Israel. Moses was the Israelites’ teacher who always taught them as God directed him. One could now understand that the social and moral teachings which are now rampant in the secular schools today are originated from no other source but from the teachings of Moses. So, immediately after the liberation of the Israelites from the captivity of Egypt, Moses is found as pioneer teacher of Hebrew while the MOST-HIGH is seen as the Pioneer Headteacher in the midst of Hebrew. This implies that teachers (even the secular school teachers) are ministers of God. And again, Moses worked as an Attorney General and Chief Justice of the Israelites’ Nation (Exodus 18: 1- 22). Therefore, Moses was identified as a God’s Minister in the Mixed Ministries (or a Multi-ministry Minister).
AARON AS A MULT-MINISTRY MINISTER
The Mighty God called Aaron as a Priest and mandated him to work as Health Worker (Physician) in the midst of the Israelites (Leviticus 1: 1 – 3, Leviticus 14: 1 1 – 8). It was God that instructed Aaron to be a Priest and at the same time Health-worker. While the Lord God was acted as the Supreme Healer, God prescribed materials for use for Aaron as a Physician.
This made Aaron to be identified as a Bi-Vocational Priest among the Israelites of his time. This implies that it is not too much for anyone of these days Priests if God includes healthcare to his ministry.
BIBLICAL DEBORAH AS A WOMAN OF MULTIPLE-VOCATIONS
Who is this biblical Deborah?
Deborah in Hebrew pronunciation is Devorah or D’vorah. The meaning of the name “Deborah or Devorah or D’vorah” is “Bee”. What is bee? It’s a flying insects with poisonous sting and exceptional sweetness flood or syrup called “Honey”. Now, what does the scripture says about this Deborah?
The scripture says:- Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided – Judges 4: 4 – 5 (NIV).
The Holy book of God describes the biblical Deborah (a woman who was the wife of Lappidoth) as a prophetess of the living God of heaven and earth whom God was called and established in Israel to lead the Israel (i. e. Deborah was a leader of Israelites) in her lifetime. She was the Justice and Judge in Israel on Israelites, her office (court) was situated under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of the nation of Israel went up to her for their disputes decisions and settlement.
The Bible also talks of Deborah that Deborah acted under the authority of God, Deborah gave command that Barak (the Chief of Army-staff of the nation of Israel) should get ready to war against the enemies of Israel in which Barak requested for full support of Deborah by asking her to follow him to the war and Deborah without hesitation agreed to go for the victory of the Israelites over the war. The played-roles of Deborah in this war describes Deborah as a Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Army-staff of Israel of her lifetime (Judges 4: 6 – 14).
The brief life history of Deborah above identifies Deborah as:-
1. A Priest (or a female Prophet) of God of Israel.
2. The National leader of Israel of her time.
3. The Attorney General and Chief Justice (and Judge too) of Federation of Israel her time.
4. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Army-staff of Israel during her lifetime.
The explanation above presents Deborah as a poisonous-sting-woman and at the same time a honey-woman. Being a prophet, national leader, Justice and Judge of Deborah means honey taste from Deborah’s life to the nation of Israel. But that Deborah was Commander-in-Chief of Army-staff indicates poisonous sting to the enemies of the land of Israel.
All these above roles which Deborah played were four different offices’ practices (or vocations) as ministries of God for the growth, development and edification of the Civils (or Civilians i. e. Citizens) and for the perfection of the work of God in the nation of Israel which resulted at four ministries for Deborah here. She was able to held all these offices not under the leadership of human being but under the leadership of God and she was succeeded in the offices.
ELI AND SAMUEL IN THEIR MULTIPLE MINISTERIAL DUTIES.
Eli served as an Israelites’ priest of his time. He acted as the ruler of Israel of his lifetime. He judged in Israel and he led as Commander-in-Chief of Army-staff. Then, he (Eli) and his household enjoyed their welfare from the sacrifices and offerings which the Israelites brought into the services of the Lord. But Eli (the Priest) failed to train and disciple his children morally and spiritually, his two sons (Hophni and Phinehas) became wicked, rudes and violent against the Israelites, the Israelites rejected Eli’s sons in the leadership of the land of Israel, God backed up the rejection of the Eli’s sons of Israelites by proclamation of rejection onto the whole household of Eli and his life generation by destruction from the mouth of Samuel. The fulfillment of Eli’s household destruction began by the untimely death of the sons of Eli (Hophni and Phinehas) followed by the untimely death of Eli himself (I Samuel Chapter 1 – 4).
Samuel like Eli, he did well right from around age two of his lifetime. He also served the Israelites as Priest and Prophet, and as ruler of Israel nation, as (i. e. national leader), as Commander-in-Chief of Army-staff of Israel and as intermediary between God and Saul (the first King of Israel). And the whole household of Samuel’s welfare was catered for through the sacrifices and offerings which the Israelites each regularly brought to God. Though, Samuel’s failure was that his children were wicked, rude and violent against the Israelites because Samuel didn’t educate his children morally and spiritually (I and II Samuel).
THE TRI-VOCATION (OR MULTIPLE TASKS) OF JESUS CHRIST AS BI-VOCATIONAL PASTORS’ MODEL .
What is Tri-vocation? What is Tri-vocational ministry?
Tri-vocation simply means three different professions. Tri-vocational ministry could be seen as three different professions being practised by a single Minister. Many people are contemplating on the possibility of being involved in multi-vocation, some say it is forbidden for teachers and physicians to be involved in the practice of preaching, many people argue that teaching, preaching and healing are not correlate, they say one would affect the others. Yeah! It may be truth if the distance, personal health and ability are not put into consideration during the planning process. One should be understood that as the Medical-Doctors and teachers should have relationships and dealings with people in a particular society, likewise the preachers. As medicine is a profession, teaching is also a profession and likewise pastoral ministry, they all have relationships and dealings with humans and meant for refreshing, nurturing, nourishing, comforting, guiding, correcting, encouraging and building up humans, growing and developing up humans in both physical and spiritual areas of life for our society growth and development. In any society where there is availablity of enough personnel and staff for these three areas of specialisation, each would handle his profession, otherwise, the only available resource personnel should try all his efforts to see that the three main roles (Teaching, Preaching and Physicians duties) should be practised to make things easier and go well in the society besides that, no any progress.
One should remember, when the White-men were coming to Africa for evangelism, they came with the three roles namely:- teaching, medical-care and preaching. They came to evangelize Africa but introduced teaching first of all then, medical-care and preaching. The White-men new that an illiterate could never admire anything unless he acquires some understanding and knowledge that could convince him. The White-men planned reasonably and accurately and they efficiently achieved their aims and objectives.
The Lord Jesus Christ pioneered the practice of the technique of three-fold office of Christians’ ministry. This may also be recognised as three branches of ministry in one. This writing briefly enumerates the combined professions of Jesus Christ when he was living as human on earth as follows.
IDENTIFICATION OF VOCATIONS THAT AID RAPID PROPAGATION OF GOSPEL
Brain A. De Vries (October 24, 2024) identifies Prophetic work (Luke 13: 33, Matthew 21: 11, Luke 7: 16, 39 – 40), Priest’ duties (Hebrew 4: 14 – 15) and Kingship (Matthew 21: 1 – 17) as three-fold office of Christian witness which the Christ’s followers know and understand as the vocations of their Master Jesus and some Christ’s followers today had been practising two or the three vocations as entrusted to them by Jesus Christ the Most Supreme Prophet, the Supreme and Chief Priest and the King of all kings of the world.
Randy Willis (May 26, 2009) declares preaching, teaching and healing as the three main tasks of Jesus Christ while He was here on earth. Fr. Stavros Akrotirianakis (Feb. 13, 2019) also agrees that Jesus Christ involved Himself in three different ministries namely teaching, preaching and healing and Martha favour (August 9, 2024) sees Preaching, Teaching and Healing as three parts of the ministry of Jesus. David Johnson (2026) in his work titled Teaching, Preaching and Healing, groups Christ’s ministries into two namely Word and Work. David Johnson clarifies it that the Teaching and Preaching of Jesus Christ are done by the words from the mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ. He recognises Teaching and Preaching of Jesus Christ as Words while Healings is identified by him as the Work done by Jesus Christ through His words.
AS JESUS CHRIST WAS A TEACHER AND PREACHER, HE WAS ALSO A PHYSICIAN
As the scripture says … Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them – Matt.4.23 – 24 (KJV), this text explains further that though, Teaching and Preaching are words because both of them are being processed and originated from the mouth, still yet, each of them stands on its own as a profession because teaching and preaching are instruments function for building and rebuilding of humans’ life, teaching and preaching are tools that hurry-up or hasten progress, growth and development in all aspects of life. Teaching instructs and guides, and Preaching counsels and encourages. As teaching enlightens, preaching gives one courage or boldness to face the challenges of life and to add more values to one’s life. The power of physical and spiritual healing is embedded in teaching and preaching because whenever and wherever Jesus Christ talked in both His teaching and preaching when He was in human nature, healings manifested itself (Matthew 4: 23 – 24). So, as teaching is a profession (or vocation) on its own, likewise the preaching, its also a profession (i.e. vocation) and it is a must for all the called as Christ ministers to receive power (Matthew 28: 18, Acts 1: 8) and put on the spirit of teaching (Matthew 28: 19) and preaching (Mark 16:15) and break forth as the Master Jesus Christ commands (Matthew 10: 16, Matthew 28: 18 – 20) to invoke the holy spirit of healing. As Preaching is the Pastors’ vocation, Teaching must also be the Pastors’ vocation too.
Healing is also a profession. Healing is an act of being well, healthy and healthier in the body (even physically, morally and spiritually) as human beings and in society as a whole. Jesus Christ as the Supreme and Chief Physician healed both physical and spiritual sicknesses and diseases of different kinds when He was here on earth with teachings, preachings and natures. Jesus heals authoritatively (John 5: 1 – 18), He also heals by touching (Matthew 8: 14 – 16, Mark 1: 29 – 34, Luke 4: 38 – 41, John 9: 6 – 11. So, Jesus Christ proved Himself a Man of three vocations when He was in human nature. The Pastors should study more, learn more and struggle more to work closer to the equivalence of the Master Jesus Christ as preachers, teachers and physicians.
THE OBEDIENT AND FAITHFUL MINISTERS’ WELFARE IS DIVINELY PREPARED
Despite that Jesus Christ did not condem giving and collection of tithes and offerings in the Church (Matthew 23: 23), still yet, His welfare was not based on the Church’s tithes and offerings like the ancient and contemporary Levites. Though, Jesus Christ and His disciples always had their mobile treasury (in which they were treasuring the gifts and donations from cheerful givers) along with them kept with Judas Iscariot (John 13: 29, John 13: 3 – 5), but Jesus Christ mainly relied on the divine provisions of God (His heavenly father) to be the source of His welfare. Prophet Elijah was fed by a bird called Raven sent to him by God (I King 17: 2 – 6). In a period of famine in Israel, God made Prophet Elijah’s welfare a reality by empowering a widow at Zarephath for Elijah’s welfare (I King 17: 7 16). All the above implies that total obedience to God, hardworking, punctuality, being effective, being efficient and faithfulness at work are essential and extremely required to enjoy maximum welfare. Therefore, each Preacher should be very obediently active in his responsibilities, have faith and trust in God for his welfare through divine provisions of God rather than putting trust in humankind’s (i. e. Church) tithes and offerings (Psalm 23: 1; Matthew 6: 26; Philippians 4: 19).
APOSTLE PAUL AS A FULL-TIME (AND BI-VOCATIONAL) MINISTER
He who doesn’t work should not eat. A Church worker should neither be a lazy nor an idle and he should not be a beggar. Apostle Paul in the scripture said, he worked hard with his hands for his food. Apostle Paul was a gospel minister and at the same time a tent maker. He worked for food as a tent maker and preach the gospel as scheduled by himself through the spirit of God (Acts of Apostles 18: 1 – 4; 20: 33 – 35; I Corinthians 4: 12; I Thessalonians 2: 9). And again, despite that the Apostle Paul was a Bi-vocational Minister, he encouraged the Churches to see to the Church workers’ welfare and he also was reinforced with stipends, gifts and offerings and remunerations by some capable Churches (II Corinthians 12: 13, Philippians 4: 10 – 19).
Apostle Paul highlighted some reasons why the Pastors should be involved in other vocation that could earn them additional benefits (provided if such Pastors’ welfare is not up to the expected standard and if such Pastors are always less-busy in their ministerial works). The reasons are explained below:-
1. Standing Aloof Idleness:- Apostles Paul demonstrated how to do away from idleness as an exemplary Christian (II Thessalonians 3: 7).
2. Self-reliance and Enough Sufficiency:- He demonstrated what one could do to be self-reliance and sufficient enough (II Thessalonians 3: 8).
3. Alleviating Oppression and Afflictions:- Apostles Paul proved himself as a merciful Christian leader to reduce the Church’s burden by setting Christian Fellowship members free from anxiety of welfare provision for God’s minister in hardship (I Thessalonians 2: 9; II Thessalonians 3: 8).
4. Like Master Jesus, God’s Ministers are Sacrifices:- Apostles Paul presented himself to his followers as an inexpensive model that is relatable freely and cheerfully (II Thessalonians 3: 9).
5. Levites should neither be a Beggar nor a Burden on the Church’s Neck:- The scripture talks of Apostle Paul’s reaction towards Corinthians’ Church’s welfare support for him, says:- For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong – II Corinthians 12: 13 (KJV).
Another Bible version interpreted the above verse says:- The only thing I didn’t do, which I do in the other Churches, was to become a burden to you. Please, forgive me for this wrong! – II Corinthians 12: 13 (NLT).
Apostle Paul’s attitudes towards Church’s gifts and offerings from the Church to him reveals that:-
There were some Churches of his lifetime that were capable enough to pay salary or stipends or remuneration without stress, Apostle Paul received welfare support from them and encouraged the Church to be doing more by giving gifts and offerings from them (II Corinthians 12: 13).
There were some other category of Churches that Paul considered incapable of giving salary or stipends or remuneration in which the Church in Corinth was one of them (II Corinthians 12: 13), he willingly intended to free them from paying their Ministers’ remuneration because Paul saw enforcing ministers’ welfare support on them could be an oppression against the Church.
So, it is a shame for a Pastor to enforce the unavoidable welfare provisions on the Church members. Pastor’s constant requests and pleading for daily needs from the Church members is also a ridiculous act which may lead to the Pastor’s disgrace (II Thessalonians 3: 6 – 10). And this may though, the Church wished to be giving Apostle Paul free-will gifts for his welfare but Paul lacked interest in taking gifts and offerings from them inability, he also counted this as an offence for him to them and he pleaded for the Church’s forgiveness for his attitude towards the Church’s gifts to him (II Corinthians 12: 13). This implies that giving and receiving of gifts and offerings from Church to the Church workers is not an abomination but he personally decided not to make himself a burdensome on the Church. Though, willingly stipends, gifts and offerings, remuneration and reinforcement from Church to Bi-vocational Pastors are highly appreciated.
Church’s Willingly Decision of Giving to the Levites is Extremely Acceptable, Commendable and Acknowledgeable:- Apostle Paul did extremely to the extent that he didn’t ever requested for his welfare from the Church purses, despite that he was the founder of the Churches, he decided not to be a burdensome to the Church he founded. But the Church at Philippi considered givings and offerings to the Ministers of gospel as a must, unavoidable and an unskipable obligation and benefit from the Church to the Church leaders for the Church’s leaders’ welfare and they tried all their possible means to offer Apostle Paul gifts and Apostle Paul received the offer with thanks and appreciation (Philippians 4: 10 – 19).
Despite all these reasons, the Church members could neither avoid nor escape tithes and offerings giving to the Church’s Levites and likewise the donations to the Church Levites but they wouldn’t be pressuring to be bringing beyond the expectation of God from their belongings.
Apostle Paul also coupled three different Vocations together in his ministry of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as the scripture says:- Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them – Acts 19: 8 – 12 (NIV).
Apostle Paul was a Preacher (Acts 19: 8).
Apostle Paul was a Teacher (Acts 19: 9 – 10).
Apostle Paul was also a Healer (Acts 19: 11 – 12; Acts 20: 7 – 12).
Now from the above studies, Apostle Paul is proved as a tent-maker (i.e. a Carpenter or an Artisan or a Designer), Preacher (Pastor and Evangelist), Teacher (Lecturer or Instructor or Tutor) and Healer (Physician). Despite that the Philippians Christians acknowledged Apostle Paul’s services in their midst with gifts (Philippians 4: 10 – 20) as his gospel ministry expanded, still yet, he did not request anything from the Churches for his welfare but he enjoyed the Churches’ willingly support for the welfare of Christians’ fellowship and the Churches he established (II Corinthians 8; Romans 16). Being a Bi-vocational Pastor is not an offence, it’s just a matter of relieving the Church.
OMORESEMI’S PHILOSOPHY OF JESUS CHRIST’S GOSPEL MINISTRY
Rev. Dr. Amos A. Omoresemi (1993) in is writing titled “Modern Powerful Silent Killer in Africa HYPERTENSION High-Blood Pressure” proves himself a Priest with more than one vocation, he takes Jesus Christ as his Mentor and Model for his professions. Rev Dr. Amos A. Omoresemi was a Clergyman (Theologian) who served many Baptist Churches in Nigerian Baptist Convention and United States of America as a Priest of the Churches, he was a Physician (Behavioural Scientist and Gerontologist) with numerous healing of sickness and diseases and he was also an Educationist taught many people morally and spiritually, he also educated people how to do away from some sicknesses and diseases including Hypertension and High-pressure. Now, for the fact that he who is a Preacher like Jesus Christ should be a Teacher like Jesus Christ and a healing agent like Jesus Christ. Therefore, Rev Dr. Amos Abiodun Omoresemi is identified as a Priest of Tri-vocational Minister like Jesus Christ who is a Preacher, Teacher and Physician.
A PRIEST SHOULDN’T BE A PREACHER ALONE, HEALTH-CARE SHOULD BE INVOLVED
There is no doubt and no hesitation to say (with boldness) that the Priest in each Church should see and identify himself as the Chief Community Health and Environmental Worker (Chief CHEW) in the Church and the society where his Church is located. The scripture identifies Aaron as a Priest who should act as Health worker in the midst of the Israelites. Aaron (the Priest) was chosen by God to serve God and Israelites as the Priest of Israelites, the Sanitary-officer and Healthcarer of the Israelites. God mandated Aaron to perform the obligation of sanitation as at when due and always make sure that the diseases are not allowed in the midst of the Israelites (Leviticus Chapter 14). Like Aaron the Priest of Israelites like these days Priests, they should all see to the health living of their Church members. This implies that not preaching alone is given to them as their task, the healthy living of the Church members is added and they should comply.
Then, Rev. Hellen I. A. Oyekanmi (PHD) (2012) in her writing titled “Where There is no Doctor there is Pastor….” Identifies the Pastors as the only hope and the agent of health practitioners in a society where their is no health workers. She recognises the Pastors as the ministers of God that should give lectures to the Church members on the purpose why God created plants and vegetables, she opines that the Pastors should have basic knowledge of personal (health) hygiene and they should let the Church and his immediate community be aware of the importance of being healthy.
Hellen I. A. Oyekanmi (PHD) (2012) encourages the Pastors to understand Nutrition and Malnutrition, the classes of food, adequate diet and it’s functions in the body and put their knowledge on these contents into actions. She says Pastors must be able to live without medicines and this text also encourages them to enlighten the Church members how to live without medicines through clear understanding that prevention is cheaper than cure, the Church Pastors should understand the healthy meals for the bodies and this should begins with adoption of the attitudes of Table-manner and Adequate-diet, likewise the Church members too, Pastors should let them know and understand the edible food and drinkable substances that are healthful for their bodies individually. The Pastors should also be the model of health to their Churches by being struggling to be the Pastors of the words and teaching of their mouth (i.e. living in their teachings) and be doing all they could to be healthy. The Pastors should stand aloof bad health habits, they should also teach their members how to stay away from bad health habits and any other things that may be hindrances to good health. The Pastors should always be very vigilant and be the first aid on all emergencies to any member of the Congregation that God bestows unto them before the victim could be referred to the appropriate healthcare centre. Hellen I. A. Oyekanmi (PHD) (2012) sees the Pastors as reliable sources and models that could enlighten the Church members how to live healthy lifestyle by taking edible food good for the body,
AWOLERE’S VIEWS OF PREACHING (OR GOSPEL MINISTRY) IN COUPLED WITH TEACHING
A part of Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians says:- … Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ – Ephesians 4: 11 – 13 (NIV). In scriptural text above, both pastorate and teaching are coupled because each should not stand lonely without each other. This denotes that a Pastor that is not a teacher is incomplete. A teacher that lacks teaching ability, knowledge and methods should be re-trained.
Awolere Deborah Oyelayo (2009) identifies teaching as a mandate of God and a means of impacting the law of God into the young ones. The cruciality of teaching is revealed as Moses taught the Israelites in the scripture (Deuteronomy 6: 4 – 9) God makes it compulsory that teaching should be done without-season. Awolere adds that teaching alone couldn’t sustain humans in life but both teachings and training of the young ones straighten one’s ways of life and the scripture testifies to this (Proverbs 22: 6). This book of proverbs works towards the better future of the young ones in terms of career, moral, social, cognition, wisdom and spiritual life. One should not forget that before the advent of the schools, the religious centres responded to both teaching and training and things were done well then but as the religious centres relaxed, devaluation in effective teaching and training came in and this is due to the ignorant act of the religious leaders towards teaching and training and negligence of teaching and training of the young ones in the religious centres. Some religious leaders prefer preaching more important than teaching and training. The truth is that if one is a Pastor, he should be a Teacher, and a teacher should also be encouraged to minister as a Pastor too. This implies that if a man is talented and capable enough to be a Teacher, he should also be a Pastor. And a Pastor should also be a Teacher of moral values, cognitive values, religious values and spiritual values (Ephesians 6: 4). Preaching and teaching are two different offices (vocations) that should stand beside each other to provide behavioural therapy in all ramifications. Awolere Deborah Oyelayo (2009) reminds that the Old Testament’s Prophets acted as preachers and still performed the obligation of teaching to the extent that those who were under their teaching were always filled with holy spirit. Therefore, Pastor should understand that their involvement in teaching is neither a sin nor abomination in the presence of God.
Awolere (2009) hints that Jesus Christ was addressed as Teacher ninety times and as Rabbi in fifteen times (Rabbi means Teacher) in the new testament. So, she proceeds to say that it is good and advantageous if the young Pastors could serve as masters, teaching in the schools and at the same time serve as Pastors in the city. And again, it is advisable for the Christian healthcare officers to have a Chapel in his Clinic premises and be serving as both healthcarer and preacher to the Clinic patients and likewise the teachers, especially the Christian schools Proprietors, there should be Chapel for Christian fellowship in the school compound. One should be reminded that Jesus Christ who was the Supreme Prophet (Luke 13: 33, Matthew 21: 11, Luke 7: 16, 39 – 40) was the Supreme Chief Priest (Hebrew 4: 14 – 15) and Everlasting King as the Supreme Saviour that restored life. He preached as Pastor, He taught as teacher and healed as Physician when He was on earth, even till today, He is at work. He was the Supreme Preacher and Teacher and He was also the Supreme Physician. Therefore, Jesus Christ was a Man of many profession and He is the God of multiple vocations. This should be very understood and be inherited by the Christ’s followers from their Master Jesus.
WHY SOME PASTORS (AS LEVITES) SHOULD BE BI-VOCATIONAL CHURCH WORKERS?
Be aware that in these days, the Churches call Pastors in to pastorate as full time Priest but without full benefits and because the Pastor want to meetup in the welfare of his household, he needs to found another means of income. A (BTH) Certificated Pastor (with a wife) of four children is called on a Church as full time Priest with agreement of getting 60% of his benefits as his salary or stipends according to the Church’s ability and a child is in SS1, one in SS3, one in Polytechnic and the first child in University respectively. Daddy and Mummy are in the Pastorium thinking and planning for their welfare for both themselves and their children for the present time and after retirement, all their plans based on their monthly 60% take home.
Their allowances e.g. travelling, visitors’, medical, children education, books, outfit, internet data and telephone, furniture, feeding, inconvenience, etc based on their agreement left unpaid. Still yet, the events which the allowances are prepared for are un-exterminable. Some Pastors are placed on 50% with promise and agreement of doing necessities within a very short period of time. Some are placed on 70% without revisitation to the former promise and agreement. Some on 80%, some on 90% and they are all battling in the same challenges.
Despite that non of these allowances should neither be left unpaid nor be skipped because of their vital roles in the Pastor’s ministry, it’s a pity that some Churches are financially insufficient and lack of capacity and this made the Pastors that are on those Churches like these found themselves in afflictive condition. But when things are like this, what next as solutions?
The situation calls the attention of the Christians’ Community in both groups and individuals into order for assistance to rescue the Church workers out from the afflictive condition they found themselves. Though, the solutions to the problems on ground requires God intervention and God is ready to intervene in all human problems provided if the humans allow Him to work out solutions to the problems. The living God is always at work for the goodness of His children, His followers and His servants for He has given the humans the scriptures as our guide and through this scripture, humans should be enlightened for the scripture says:- All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work – II Timothy 3: 16 – 17 (NIV). It is believed that each follower of Jesus Christ who follows his Master’s footsteps never failed. The readers and hearers of the words of God and Jesus Christ His Son are liable to succeed in life. So, the traditions and practices of the ancient Christians could lead us through to found solutions to the problems of the Church workers welfare. We should examine the acts of the early Apostles how they catered for their welfare to alleviate poverty and afflictions among themselves.
THE AVOIDABLE IGNOMINIOUS POSITIONS WHICH THE PASTORS SHOULD AVOID
Adeleke ‘Wale Aremu in a lecture titled “LIVING A LIFE BEYOND CHURCH MINISTRY” itemizes some ignominious (or shameful) positions a pastor should avoid as listed below:
Being a Pastor is not being a poor meaning that if one is a Pastor, that should not make him poor.
Being a Pastor is not becoming a beggar connotes that though, a person may be a Pastor, but that should not turn the Pastor to going from a house to another begging for daily necessities of life.
Being a Pastor is not being inferior. This implies that one’s pastorate should not rank him low.
Being a Pastor is not being a slave signifies that one’s pastoral ministry should not enslave him.
Being a Pastor is not being an object of ridicule. That is, one’s position of pastorate should not damage his integrity.
Moreover, according to Adeleke ‘Wale Aremu, Bill Gate says “if you are born poor it’s not your fault; But if you die poor it’s then your fault” he who is born poor has no fault of being born poor, he says one who is born poor should try all his possible best to see that he doesn’t die poor, otherwise, such person is at fault.
Adeleke ‘Wale Aremu explains that becoming poor, beggar, inferior, slave, and being ridicule is not the Pastor’s Church members fault but the Pastor’s ignorance on how to live beyond the Church walls. He furthers his explanation that assuming the person is not a Pastor, he would be doing one thing or the other to sustain himself. And again, majority of Pastors were been involved in one or the other thing, earnings them money before becoming Pastors. Adeleke ‘Wale Aremu encourages the Pastors not to put heavy burden which is beyond the Church capacity on the Church for the Pastors are not called to be burdensome on the Church but a blessing to the Church physically and spiritually.
This text detects that after the Pastor’s pastoral work in each day, there still enough time remains for a Pastor to involve in other investments as supplements to improve standard living of the Church Pastor. It’s the time now for the Pastors to understand that the Church could not provide all their needs and wants but they could assist themselves by starting an investment which is seen that would not jeopardize their call.
Adeleke ‘Wale Aremu makes it known that he who not plants wouldn’t harvest and one who has nothing to harvest would continues in lack. He who lacks would remain poor and would always be searching for those who would harvest and be watching the harvesters to beg and request for some products from them for himself. If he couldn’t get from harvesters, he remains poor. Is this not an act of a beggar? The Pastors should beware.
PASTORS’ INTUITIVE IS REQUIRED
Each Pastor and Church should understand that before a Church could be well organised, buoyant enough to bear a Pastor’s home welfare, she should grow to the members’ population of at least not less than twenty-five homes and if such Church would appoint Pastor, the Church should budget for the welfare of a Pastor, a Pastor’s wife and four children. But Pastor should not relax with the agreement made between him and the Church, he should be vigilant and observant to how serious is the Church on agreement between him and the Church. If the Pastor sees that the future is not bright with the Church’s attitudes towards their agreement, the Pastor should be wise.
Both the Pastor and his wife should sit tight and plan for their home’s welfare which could enable them earn better living for their children and make them too relevant after retirement. The Pastors’ wives each (even if she is a government worker) is advised to involve in (at worst) petty trading, this would function as daily income for daily expenditure.
The Pastor should take their call very important with seriousness. The Pastor’s Church and ministry is the primary assignment but when a Pastor is challenged and being battling with one or the other crisis or turmoil, the Pastor’s home had become primary assignment to work upon. Remember that when the Pastor, his wife or one of the children dies, the Church remains. Pastor should have proper care of his home and this is primary one assignment then follow by the Church assignment which is primary two assignment. But if the Church could perform well, taking proper care of the Pastor’s home, standing for Pastor physically, morally and financially in is home, the Pastor would be courageous enough and be ready to die for the Church with assurance that even if the Pastor is not alive again, the Church would sponsor his home to their promised land..
PASTOR SHOULD UNDERSTAND HIS HOME’S STANDARD IN COMPARISON WITH PROVIDED WELFARE STRENGTH
If a Church Pastor is always busy in the ministry like Moses the spiritual leader of Israel who was always attending to his congregation day and night (Exodus 18: 1 – 26), such Pastor should avoid other vocations for the assignment before him is sufficient to sustain his household. If a Church Pastor is extremely occupied in the ministry like biblical Eli of Israel (I Samuel Chapters 1, 2 and 3), it’s forbidden for such Pastor to be running after any other vocations because as biblical Eli’s welfare was pleasant is the same for such Pastor. Biblical Samuel enjoyed unexpected maximum welfare in his ministerial time due to the larger community of congregation he led as a Church of God (I Samuel Chapters 3 to 8). What this text says is that if a Pastor’s welfare is managing and endurable, the Pastor should squarely face his ministry without looking any sides otherwise, ….. Please, don’t ridicule yourself and your ministry.
BEING A BI-VOCATIONAL IS ENCOURAGED BY THE AUTHORITIES
The Churches now on earth are not depending on their incomes from their tithes and offerings for their projects alone anymore. They don’t even place their burdens on donations alone again. Each has invested on businesses of different kinds to open multiple sources of income which could relieve the Church members from fundraising with perspiration in afflictions. Some Churches based their investments on Ceremonial and Entertainment Rentals and Equipment like Canopies, Plastic Chairs and Tables, Generating Plant and Sound Systems. Some Churches invest on buying and selling of Commodities like Food-stuffs e. g. Bags of Rice and Beans, Yam-flour, Red-oil and Vegetables-oil, etc. Other Churches cultivate lands for farming. They all do this just for the purpose of earning more money as replacement for constant Church fundraising for physical and spiritual projects of the Church.
The Churches are expected to be using the tithes and offerings and donations alone for both their physical and spiritual projects and this is the mandate of God! But in a situation where the Churches are being involved in the projects beyond capabilities of their income of tithes and offerings, they apply their own discretion and this made a Church herself to be acting as a Bi-vocational (because the Church gets income from tithes and offerings and again from investment). Being acting as a Bi-vocational is good for some Churches because being a Bi-vocational alleviate the Church members’ tension on the issues of frequent contributions and fundraising for the Church’s projects. Therefore, being a Bi-vocational is good.
Religious Organisations like Denominational Associations, Denominational Conferences and Denominational Conventions are also being practising Multiple-Means or Multi-Means or Multi-Sourses of Internal Generating Revenue. Apart from the certain percent of each Church’s tithes and offerings and donations which comes from each Church to the Association, some Associations are cultivating land for planting crops for selling, some Associations invest on poultry keeping and rearing of other domestic Animals while some are trading (buying and selling), all are for the purpose of additional profits. Being a Bi-vocational is Encouraged.
Other Religious Organisations like Conferences and Convention establish Factories and Industries like Printing Presses, Pure-water Production Factories, Radio and Television Stations, Education Industries like Universities, Post-Primary Schools, etc. Despite that there is a certain percentage from each Church going to the purses of the Associations, Conferences and Convention, still yet, they need more money to quicken their projects, they therefore apply their discretion by establishing other sources which could earn them more money.
All these implies that the Religious Supreme Organisations in their Authorities had become Mentors and Models of being a Bi-vocational for their followers. As the Conferences emulate the Convention in having other sources of income, and as the Associations imitate the Conferences of multiple means of getting more money for their endeavours likewise the Church and Church’s members too, being a Bi-vocational Church members provides more opportunities and minimises the anxiety and depression of a Person who is involved. In a situation where a Church is incapable of maximum welfare of her Pastor, such Pastor should be wise enough to live comfortably. The progress and achievements are the sweetness and flavour of Being a Bi-vocational.
LET NO ONE LOOK-DOWN TEACHING, IT’S GOSPEL WORKING-STICK.
Remember! The teachers are national builders. Teaching is technique for establishing and sustaining things established. Teaching is extremely good technique for rapid moral, social, economic, political and cultural growth and development. Even in religious and societal culture, teaching is highly useful. So, it must be included and be practised in the religious organisations for moral, social, spiritual edification of the church and for the development of our society. The standard moral, social and spiritual values are varnished away from the homes, organisations, schools, Churches, business institutions, political institutions, etc, because teaching of morals, social values and spiritual values are weak in the homes, schools and religious institutions. Effective teaching in both schools and religious institutions are godly spiritual ministry to be honoured respected and it should be called back for purification of the society as a whole. Therefore, the situation encourages the teachers that have evidence of God’s for theological training to quickly answer the call so as to enable them use their teaching knowledge in the gospel ministry and services of God.
CONCLUSION
The studies above reveals that:-
A minister of God in a Church should consider the financial capability of the Church in which he is serving and allow the spirit of God to lead him of what to do reduce the Church members’ burden.
He who is called to be Bi-vocational minister of God is for the purpose of edification of the Church and society. He who called to serve as Bi-vocational minister is for the purpose being unblemished, self-reliance and free from disgrace.
It is also admitted that being a minister of more than one vocation but related to each other encourages perfection in the ministry.
If one is truly called as Bi-vocational minister of God to a Church that are not capable enough in catering for the welfare of her workers, it’s good.
So, it is not an abomination, it is biblical for Pastors to serve as Bi-vocational Minister in some Churches till such Churches would be financially sufficient enough.
References
AWOLERE, Deborah Oyelayo (2009) Teachers are Nation-Builders, Respect Them, Osun State: Flourish Publications & Infotech.
Revd Dr. Amos A. Omoresemi (1993) Modern Powerful Silent Killer in Africa (High-Blood -Pressure) Prevention and Cure: Gerontological, Medical, Psychological and Spiritual, Nigeria: Abibos Educational Services Publications
Oke-Ogun Baptist Pastor’s Conference P. O. Box 21, Ago-Are, Oyo State, Nigeria (25th of May, 2025) 25th Annual Retreat, “CULTIVATING ENDURING PASTORS- CHURCH RELATIONSHIP FOR LIFE BEYOND CHURCH MINISTRY” Venue: OKE-OGUN BAPTIST CONFERENCE CENTRE, AGO-ARE, OYO STATE, NIGERIA.
Rev. Hellen I. A. Oyekanmi (PHD) (2012) Where there is no Doctor, there is a Pastor – A Handbook on Health, Home and Community (Prevention of Bad Health and Sustenance of Good Health) Volume One, Oyo: Adeniran Printing Press.
Samson A. Fatokun (2014) History and Doctrine of the Early Church An African Touch, Nigeria: Okeyemi (1) Printing Press.
