Bi-vocational Ministry
- Charlie Smith
- May 27
- 5 min read
Charlie Smith, Presbytery Pastor

When I began taking classes at Dubuque Seminary, it meant a weekly 5-hour commute from and back to Omaha, where I was still working part-time weekends at the World-Herald. I had my feet uncomfortably in two worlds: Still struggling with my call into ministry, I felt as if I were an undercover investigative journalist infiltrating the ranks of “churchy” people at Dubuque. Meanwhile, back on the newspaper copy desk, my status among my colleagues had unalterably changed; the “Front Page” days of nonstop swearing (and, allegedly, Scotch in the desk drawers) gave way, unevenly, to an attempt at better language and manners. It also meant some surprisingly deep theological discussions with the many Catholics who populated the newsroom, often shushed by editors who reminded us that we needed to apply ourselves to our tasks and deadlines. In both cases, those who knew me best – my journalistic colleagues and seminary classmates – went out of their way to affirm my different skills, gifts and callings.
My experience has left me with a deep appreciation for those who labor in vastly different fields – those bi-vocational ministers who hold down “regular,” secular jobs during the week, and then do the Lord’s work on Sunday, including preaching from the pulpit. Bi-vocational ministry is not new; it is mentioned in the Bible and has been part of the religious landscape for centuries. With the burgeoning ranks of commissioned elders on the pulpit-supply list of Indian Nations Presbytery and others serving congregations while also working elsewhere (including teachers, lawyers, other fields and, yes, at least one journalist), it is close to becoming the “norm” – and will be relied upon even more in the future.
What is it like to be a bi-vocational minister? Here are three stories:
Richard Mize, journalist and minster
Sara Marie Bodenstein, teacher and minister
David George, teacher and minister
Richard Mize, journalist and minister

My sense of call to journalism came first, at age 18, in 1982, although it took me awhile to figure out it was newspapers — now on paper as well as digital. I started out in radio. But I did, and do still, believe journalism is my first calling — to spread news, good or bad, for the sake of democracy and community, to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.
My sense of call to pastoral ministry, to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, came 34 years later, while in seminary. I had started in a MTS program, but realized that if I were going to invest so much time and go so far into debt for theological study, I’d better be able to serve the church, and so I switched to the M.Div., with graduation and ordination in 2014.
For eight years, until 2022, I had a journalism career as a section editor (real estate) for The Oklahoman, then until 2024, as Business writer. Both gave me great flexibility to also serve my congregation as well as the presbytery and, to a lesser extent, the synod.
Last fall, my editors reassigned me to daily beat coverage — Oklahoma County government, and the city of Edmond — and virtually all of my weekday flexibility disappeared. Now, it’s almost like working on a factory line, although my editors know I must give pastoral emergencies immediate attention (after any daily deadline is met).
I was happier before. But I am more content because of something I couldn’t see until I was in the middle of it: Covering county news, particularly the county jail and criminal justice, hits me in my pastor’s heart in a way that covering commercial real estate, construction and development never could.
So, I believe that both of my calls are still in effect: telling news and the Good News. Both are harder. But I think God and circumstances have prepared me for this time and its challenges.
Sara Marie Bodenstein, teacher and minister

“I hope my love was someone else’s solid ground.” This lyric from a Sara Bareilles song struck a deep chord within me—it felt like it came straight from my heart.
I’ve been blessed to serve others as both a pastor and as a teacher. For nine-years, I pastored full-time. Then for another nine years, I taught full-time. For the past six years, I have had the privilege to do both.
Colony, the church I serve, was once yoked to another congregation which eventually closed. Since then, they have had bi-vocational leadership, as they could not support a full-time pastor. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I think this is the way.
When I was a full-time pastor, I was almost uniformly surrounded by other Christians. As a teacher, I have been surrounded by people from a wide range of backgrounds—some from other faiths, many with no religious affiliation at all. I’ve also immersed myself in community theater, where I find scores of people who have been hurt by the Church. And it has been a gift to love them.
My life, my living witness seems so much more important among those outside the Church. When I love others—as a Christian and as a pastor—I hope that I can offer them a bit of solid ground. And when I call the people of my flock to serve, I speak as one who has been in the fields with them.
Another song says, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” I hope all the people around me can at least know they are loved.
David George, teacher and minister

After 25 years of full time ministry, I knew that I needed time to reflect, and set ministry down for a while. Having a love for teaching, I moved into education; teaching High School Science, Math and the Literary Arts, and teaching Humanities for a small college. At some point, I realized that teaching was far more face to face ministry than preaching ever was. And yet, over time, several people encouraged me to reaffirm my calling to Church based ministry. As I began to discern GOD’s call to return to church ministry, GOD provided opportunities to share. Accepting GOD’s invitation, I returned to ministry. I have had the honor to share these past 6 years with a great group at Shepherd of the Hills.
The challenges of juggling three positions is unique. There are weeks without days off. There are significant energy demands. One definitely has to find a rhythm and cycle through the weekly pieces of preparation. My sense is we need many more trained pastors willing to walk multiple career paths simultaneously. With a number of smaller congregations and shrinking budgets, churches need educated pastors who can support their families from multiple sources, while providing opportunities for grace to grow among the saints.
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