Bi-vocational Church Planting Survey of Bi-vocational Church Planters Sponsored by Send Institute

Methodology The online survey of was conducted October 3-November 5, 2018 The study was sponsored by Send Institute The sample was provided by 57 church planting networks (see following page) Emails were sent to each planter inviting them to complete the online survey. Up to four reminder emails were sent to non-participants. The completed sample is 109 surveys The sample provides 95% confidence that the sampling error from the provided lists does not exceed +7.8% Margins of error are higher in sub-groups

Participating Church Planting Networks Assemblies of God Concordia University Irvine Fuller Theological Seminary Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Converge Hope Community Church Association of Related Churches Dakota Baptist Convention Illinois Baptist State Association August Gate Church EFCA North Central District Kairos Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Evangelical Free Church of America KNCSB BCNYSBC Evangelical Friends Church Mid-America Loving Utah Network Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary Fellowship of Evangelical Churches in Canada Miami Baptist Association City to City Miami Five Two Minnesota Church Multiplication - AG Clarks Summit University Four Square Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention Colorado Baptists Foursquare Gateway District Missionary Church USA

Participating Church Planting Networks Multiply Vineyard Plant Utah Southern Nevada Baptist Association Nashville Baptist Association Presbyterian Church in America The Evangelical Covenant Church NC Baptist PSWC - ECC The Foursquare Church North American Mission Board Reformed Church in America The Pillar Network North Central District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance SEND Minneapolis The Summit Church (Durham, NC) Northwest Church Planting SEND NYC The Wesleyan Church Northwest Ministry Seventh Day Baptists United Methodists Churches of Indiana Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Sojourn Network Urbancrest Church Plant Midwest Southern Baptists of Texas Convention World Impact

Region of participating churches Q2: “Church state/province” n=106

81% have worked an outside job since the church started Q3: “Have you worked at a paying job outside of the church at any time since the new church work began?” n=109

46% work more than 40 hours a week at an outside job Q4: “How many hours did you on average work at an outside job each week in addition to working as a pastor? (Select one)” n=109

63% say their spouse has a paid job to help with living expenses Among Those Who Are Married Q19: “Does your spouse have a paid job that is needed to help sustain your family’s living expenses?” n=106

Age of participants Q20: “What is your age?” n=108

Year participating churches started Q21: “In what year did this new church work start? (If you are not sure, please give your best estimate.)” n=105

Average worship attendance of participating churches Q22: “What is your church’s average worship attendance on a typical weekend (including all ages from babies to adults but not counting anyone twice)?” n=105

Survey Responses

67% say that being a bi-vocational church planter has worked well or very well for their church Q6: “How well has being a bi-vocational church planter worked for your church (during the period you have worked an outside job in addition to church planting)?” n=108

What predicts when bi-vocational is beneficial for a church plant? Heart for it Healthy family Larger church body

Bi-vocational church planting works well/very well for the church when… HEART FOR IT The planter would be bivoc long term if finances were not a factor Percent saying works well/very well for the church: 42% among “I would stop being bi-vocational immediately” 95% among “Being bi-vocational is integral to our long-term strategy”

Bi-vocational church planting works well/very well for the church when… HEALTHY FAMILY Their family is more emotionally healthy Percent saying works well/very well for the church: 82% among those who Strongly Agree their family is emotionally healthy 53% among those who Somewhat Agree/Somewhat Disagree their family is emotionally healthy

Bi-vocational church planting works well/very well for the church when… LARGER BODY Churches with larger attendance Percent saying works well/very well for the church: 91% among those with attendance of 100+ 66% among those with attendance of 50-99 60% among those with attendance of 0-49 Note: no indication paid staff size is predictive

6 out of 10 say that being a bi-vocational church planter has worked well or very well for them and their family Q7: “How well has being a bi-vocational church planter worked for you and your family (during the period you have worked an outside job in addition to church planting)?” n=108

What predicts when bi-vocational is beneficial for the church planter and their family? Heart for it It opens ministry doors Healthy Family

Bi-vocational church planting works better for the planter and family when… HEART FOR IT The planter does not work out of financial necessity Percent saying bivo works well/very well for them and their family: 91% those who don’t select “It is a financial necessity for my family” 52% those who do select “It is a financial necessity for my family”

Bi-vocational church planting works better for the planter and family when… IT OPENS MINISTRY DOORS The planter has developed a good reputation in the community through the outside work Percent saying bivo works well/very well for them and their family: 72% those who do select “Developed a good reputation in the community” 33% those who don’t select “Developed a good reputation in the community”

Bi-vocational church planting works better for the planter and family when… HEALTHY FAMILY Their family is more emotionally healthy Percent saying bivo works well/very well for them and their family: 80% among those who Strongly Agree their family is emotionally healthy 43% among those who Somewhat Agree/Somewhat Disagree their family is emotionally healthy

“What are the reason(s) you have or are working an outside job in addition to working as a pastor?” Q5: “What are the reason(s) you have or are working an outside job in addition to working as a pastor? (Select all that apply)” n=108

If finances were not a factor, 38% say they would stop being bi-vocational immediately. 41% say it is integral to their long-term strategy. Q8: “As you think about leading your church toward health and growth, if finances were not a factor how long would you continue to plant bi-vocationally?” (select one)” n=101

“What ministry opportunities have arisen through your outside work?” Q9: “What ministry opportunities have arisen through your outside work? (select all that apply)” n=108

Number of churches their church has directly helped start Q10: “How many churches has your church been a part of helping to start?” n=108

Bi-vocational pastors are more likely than typical Protestant pastors to agree the role is frequently overwhelming Q11: “The role of being a pastor is frequently overwhelming.” n=108 Comparison to 2015 survey of 1,500 Protestant Pastors by LifeWay Research

93% agree that their immediate family is emotionally healthy Q12: “My immediate family is emotionally healthy.” n=108

Number of paid staff Q13: “How many paid staff does your church currently have including you (full-time or part-time)?” n=108

Did not receive/ Wasn’t offered Helpfulness of Outside Support Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful Did not receive/ Wasn’t offered Training 44% 33% 11% Networking with other church planters 48% 40% 7% 5% Networking with local pastors 39% 12% 6% Active prayer support 75% 22% 1% 2% Financial oversight 26% 38% 13% 23% Volunteers or mission teams 30% 10% Expression of encouragement (cards, gifts, calls) 50% 36% 9% Professional advice (legal, accounting, technology, etc.) 43% 24% Coaching/mentoring 45% Parent/Sponsor/Sending Church 34% 14% 19% Q14: “How helpful have the following types of outside support been for you and your church plant” n=108

Among Those Who Are Married “What types of training have you participated in that were provided through your denomination/network?” Among Those Who Are Married Q15: “What types of training have you participated in that were provided through your denomination/network? (Select all that apply) Training on…” n=96

Half of churches are not yet self-sufficient Q16: “During which year (if at all) did your church become financially self-sufficient, meaning no financial support is being received from outside sources.” n=108

“From your experience, what has been the greatest benefit and the greatest challenge in planting bi-vocationally?” Time management (Challenge) 35% Financially independent/stable (Benefit) 31% Balancing work, church, and family time (Challenge) 26% Building relationships in community (Benefit) 23% Sharing the gospel at outside job (Benefit) 22% Leadership/vision casting (Benefit) 11% Q24: “From your experience, what has been the greatest benefit and the greatest challenge in planting bi-vocationally?” n=105

“What is one thing you want those who support church plants to know better about bi-vocational church plants?”

It is difficult/challenging Be prepared for hard work It's very difficult Its really hard. It limits you to what you can do. It hurts the family sometimes. How exhausting it can be and how lonely it is.

It is a sustainable, effective planting strategy It isn't a lesser form of church planting or pastoring. Realistically, it's the only viable model to see lots of churches planted everywhere. Bi-vocational church plants are sustainable, mainly due to the relief of any and all financial burdens, for the lead planter. It is a viable and sustainable way to plant churches!

Encouragement is needed Even if it's not said in words, other pastors and leaders often give you that, "you're not really a real pastor yet" look. It doesn't bother me, but it's a definite reality.

Encouragement is needed Language that doesn't treat bi-vocational strategies as an afterthought but as an integral part of reaching cities for the gospel. It's not only the future of church planting but the present reality, we need to move the conversation in that direction.

Outside work is ministry We are not "bi- vocational". Wherever we are we are trying to do the work of God. The ministry we do outside of church ministry is just as important to us. It's about integration. You don't work one job you hate to do another one that you love (vocational ministry). Live life integrated. Do what you love!

Bi-vocational Church Planting Survey of Bi-vocational Church Planters Sponsored by Send Institute