This week Briercrest Seminary will be hosting our second annual Online Co-Vocational Symposium. Last year it was our first time gathering denominational leaders from across Canada to talk about what we are now calling, co-vocational ministry. We describe someone as working co-vocationally when they are appointed as pastor in a church while also being employed outside the church. That definition has shifted slightly from, someone who is paid as a pastor while also holding outside employment. We've changed as we see some people serving in pastoral leadership without drawing any funds from the church.
This non-paid pastoral arrangement is not new. It's at the heart of my research on the early church and how it functioned. My book goes into great detail about how Jesus, Paul, and many others, would not have considered it appropriate to draw a salary from the church. I'll be presenting an overview of this research at the symposium, from Jesus to the 3rd century, tracing the development of church leadership and the shifting perspective on pastoral pay.
We've come a long way since last year's symposium. A year ago we had a few hunches but very little research. Now we have quantitative data from Canada Revenue Agency's charitable giving reports, qualitative data from denominations across Canada, include research from the church in Quebec, where co-vocational ministry is a dominant ministry paradigm. I have also finished my research on the biblical and theological foundations of pastoral pay and vocation that has been submitted for publication in 2027.
If you happen to be a denominational leader, credentialing coordinator, or church planting director, and you'd like to attend the symposium and hear more about our research findings, reach out to me. I'd love to have you join us for some or all of the day.
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