4 true confessions of a truly bivocational minister

A few months ago I wrote about the difference between having two jobs and two vocations. A commenter wondered, "What if you really do have two callings?” I’ve been doing bivocational ministry in one way or another for the past seven years. Overall I have found having two vocations—I serve as a hospital chaplain in addition to being a Century editor—to be fruitful and fulfilling. But I have to confess that it isn’t easy.

1. Work-rest balance is tough. While some of the concern about clergy with multiple jobs focuses on debt—a crucial subject to address—there’s also the challenge of finding time off to spend with family or just rejuvenate, especially since ministry usually involves working weekends. I also need to be even more intentional about times when I can take a sabbath, including turning off my phone and not checking e-mail, for example.

2. One of my callings can be draining. Anyone who has known someone doing a unit of clinical pastoral education in a hospital or hospice knows that chaplaincy can be exhausting in a way that few other kinds of work can. Not being full time as a chaplain is a plus, but it also means I miss out on some of the times for self care other chaplains encourage, like taking a day off after a tough weekend on call.