Can You Earn A Living With A Religious Degree?

Can You Earn A Living With A Religious Degree?

Patriot Bible University equips people for ministry vocations. Many students would love to earn a living while working in ministry but struggle with the question of, “How?”. The most common solution (fundraising) sets anxiety levels to 10 in the hearts of new ministers. Is this the only way?

Surviving In Ministry Part 1

“And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers” (Acts 18:3).

The first thing a minister must change is their outlook. Ministry should not be looked at as a salaried job wherein one gets paid wages regularly (i.e. entitlement). Rather, it is living by faith trusting in God to provide, often in ways other than cash. Kingdom work begets Kingdom wages in the Kingdom economy. God (not man or a position) is our Source and Provider. God will take care of our needs.

The primary daily focus is doing the ministry and trusting in God to meet your needs rather than getting paid specific wages for hours spent performing the ministry. The minister’s expectation of housing, vehicles, food, communication devices, and computers all comes as an afterthought and only as the Lord provides through other people. Begin with proving faithful in the little things such as doing ministry first, meeting needs second.

Tentmaking is a term coined by the actions of the Apostle Paul. He did not want to be a burden on the churches he was visiting so he also worked part-time in a trade he had experience in. His relationship with the tentmakers Priscilla and Aquilla was an extension of his ministry. It was not totally segregated from the ministry work. Paul found a way to engage in an enterprise that undergirded his primary calling.

While beginning your ministry, give prayerful thought to what tentmaking activity you can engage in that will support or leverage your ministry. Work as an independent part-time contractor for someone else. Remember this is only a sideline to your primary ministry calling. You need to spend fewer hours tentmaking than ministering.

WHAT YOU CAN STUDY AT PATRIOT BIBLE UNIVERSITY

CM 102 – Your Calling, Passion and Purpose

How are you? Christian motivational author Zig Ziglar would answer, “Better than good!” Learn the three “P’s” of an inspired life: Passion, Peak-performance, Purpose. You have a call. Are you willing to hear it? Making life count is not so much about what you do as how you do it. And why. Equipped ministers know their spiritual purpose in life and God’s calling on their life. They understand for Whom they live and breathe. It’s time to get motivated for these last days. Endurance and perseverance will follow. Clear your mind of failure-prone thinking. Redefine your understanding of success and walk in victory.

NT 405-Pastoral Epistles

In this study of 1-2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon, Warren Wiersbe emphasizes that nothing takes the place of faithfulness. The greatest ability you can have is dependability. This course will help you understand a local church’s ministry and encourage you to be faithful to the Word, to your tasks and to other people.

CS 402-Personalities around Paul

This tremendous course, based on the research of D. Edmond Hiebert, focuses on more than a hundred people who God used to influence the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul.

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The First Step in Looking for a Job With A Religious Degree.

We recently began a series on earning a living in ministry with a religious degree. We talked about having a tentmaking ministry to supplement your primary calling. Patriot Bible University equips people for ministry vocations Today we reveal the first step in looking for work in ministry which uses your religious degree.

Working and Thriving In Ministry Part II

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4).

The minister and family need to tithe—even on their meager ministry income. Ministers are not exempt from tithing. Even the Old Testament priests were required to tithe on the tithe received, (Numbers 18:26). Others will begin to tithe or make offerings if the minister is the first one to tithe. Tithing is the first step in commencement of ministry vocation.

The minister and family need to give, or pour out, even in the midst of their meager ministry income. A minister who hoards or neglects to pour out will surely work into the poor house. Ministry is stewardship of the life that God has given. Consider that you may be the poorest one you know but you must excel at giving. In time, God will most surely prosper you. God (not man or a position) is our Source and Provider. God will take care of our needs.

Teamwork is required of the minister who has a family. In addition to tithing, the entire family needs to be engaged in the ministry in some fashion. The spouse can support the minister by performing the behind-the-scenes duties such as bookkeeping, meeting preparation, etc. The spouse might also work part-time (in or out of the home) to help provide bread and butter income. It means that the children are taught to learn about the ministry and support it in their thoughts and prayers; most importantly, often relinquishing the gadgets and activities that “everyone else has”. Many ministry families have an enterprise that supports them which often leverages their primary calling.

WHAT YOU CAN STUDY AT PATRIOT BIBLE UNIVERSITY

PM 111-Following God’s Will

This course begins with an examination of John MacArthur’s short classic, Found—God’s Will, on how to discover the direction and purpose God has for your life. It then continues with Paul Chappell’s discussion of seven Biblical keys for staying on “The Right Path” in your life and ministry.

CM 311-Business Management in the Local Church

Christ established the church, He died for it, and He promised us that the very gates of hell could not conquer it. Secular society, on the other hand, has different ideas about the church. This course shows how sound management principles can ensure Godly stewardship within the local church. Among the topics discussed are Church and Law, Church Finances, Church Facilities, Church Personnel, Budgeting and Bookkeeping, Accounting and Taxes.

EM 408-Practical Missionary Strategies

Biblical principles and common sense approach to the basic preparation for missionary service. This course deals with matters such as the call to mission work, choosing a mission board, family needs, discouragement, differences in countries and major problem areas of missionaries.

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Part 3: Can You Earn A Living With A Religious Degree?

We’ve talked about earning a living with a religious degree in recent eGroup messages. Patriot Bible University equips people for ministry vocations. Many students would love to earn a living while working in ministry but struggle with the question of, “How?”. Once you decide to take the leap of faith, you’ll need to make a transition from your current style of living. Given the state of the economy, this week’s counsel is valuable to everyone.

Surviving In Ministry Part III

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

How does an aspiring minister make the financial transition from a salaried or wage paying vocation to ministry? In most cases it means learning to live on less. Therefore, the first transition point is attitude.

The second transition point is personal economics. To live on less we will need to find ways to convert things to cash and reduce expenses. Begin with shedding; sell your goods (maybe online), sell your cars with auto loans on them, hold a garage sale. Concurrent with shedding, stop shopping and buying. Reduce recurring expenses by eliminating monthly contracts such as “anytime minutes and data”, medical insurance (switch to medical sharing), reduce insurance coverages and premiums. Shop wisely: Drop your personal pride and patronize thrift stores and food banks as needed, volunteer at places that can supply you with goods in exchange.

The second transition point is driven by the following third transition point. Don’t let your personal financial needs be a burden to the church or ministry you desire to work for. Walt Hammonds of Leading Small Churches points out the reality of the current economy, “Many in our churches are struggling financially. Church congregations are bringing home less money. For those who tithe, less will be given. Those who are struggling financially may not even be able to give.”

The bottom line is that contributions to churches and ministries have decreased significantly. This leaves less money available for ministry salaries. This brings us to the crux of the third transition point: ministers are stewards of ministries driven by donations.

Hammonds advises further, “Do all that you can to keep your cash flow positive. What are the top three expenses of churches and ministries? Can you reduce each of them? 1) For most very small churches, the top expense is the pastor’s salary. Be willing to lower it while you weather the storm. 2) Reduce energy consumption. 3) Keep people informed about the ministry’s financial condition, but don’t badger them to give more. Let the Holy Spirit work out the details for each contributor.”

Remember, God (not man or a position) is our Source and Provider. God will take care of our needs. The Lord can also find ways to give more of what you need, too. Since He “prepares a table for us in the midst of our enemies” we can thrive, not just survive!

WHAT YOU CAN STUDY AT PATRIOT BIBLE UNIVERSITY

GB 201-Surviving An Economic Meltdown

How can I survive the current financial crisis in our nation? People are getting laid off, many are losing their homes, investments have gone up in smoke. Does the Bible have anything to say about this? This course is for anyone entangled (or about to be) in an economic meltdown. Know this; priceless treasure is within your reach. And with it, liberating joy. Discover a joy more precious than gold. Learn practical and spiritual strategies for you and your friends. Jesus has given us the treasure principle. Unearth it.

“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1).

CE 431-Family Financial Management

Based on the research of Larry Burkett, this practical course deals with Biblical principles of managing money in the home. Attention is given to the proper attitude toward finances, the church and money, insurance and investing, borrowing and lending, and business ethics.

CM 311-Business Management in the Local Church

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Part 4: Can You Earn A Living With A Religious Degree?

We’ve talked about earning a living with a religious degree. We pray that your thoughts have been turned toward what ministry God has called and equipped YOU to engage in. There are many options to consider…

Living In Ministry Part IV

There are many ministry vocations – teaching, preaching, missions, evangelism, pastoring, music, church planting, and counseling. These are typically done under a local church. Other ministry vocations are done in connection with multiple churches and commonly labeled as para-church ministries. Examples include pregnancy centers, veterans ministry, drug & alcohol recovery, parenting skills, after school clubs, technical ministry, rural development, and more.

The dilemma for a religious degree graduate is whether to work for an existing ministry or plant a new one. Most ministry positions are not advertised in the classifieds. Increasingly though, there are ‘help wanted’ ads online. However, this almost certainly dictates a relocation. It is more common to begin a ministry within your local church or a para-church ministry in your present community. Please refresh your memory with our previous installments of Living and Thriving in Ministry.

The adventurous will consider planting a church (that will eventually house numerous ministries) in their local community or an under-churched community somewhere else. Our previous installments of Living and Thriving in Ministry will be valuable to the church-planter.

We can’t think of a more exciting way to live than being in ministry! In fact, Patriot Bible University is a ministry under a local church and serving students worldwide. Patriot was founded 33 years ago. It is rewarding to see how far God has brought it. But please note, when you begin your ministry it will take years for it to mature and look like the existing ministries you frequent now. You must give it time to grow. You must be faithful and diligent. You cannot make it without prayer and surrender.

Along the way there will be lean times and fat times. But in all the times acknowledge that God (not man or a position) is our Source and Provider. God will take care of our needs.

“And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:38).

WHAT YOU CAN STUDY AT PATRIOT BIBLE UNIVERSITY

CM 308-Church Music Ministry

Music ministry goes beyond musical ability. Philosophy, policies and practices should be created and followed. The purpose of music ministry is to bring honor to Christ, not simply entertain or lead songs. In this course Lindsay Terry offers practical ideas, methods and plans to help church leaders in every area of a music ministry. Music is the universal language of mankind and God is the author. Man is to praise God in song.

CC 322-Marriage Counseling

A course designed to help counselors give good Biblical advice for couples having problems with their relationships. Emphasis is given to the goal of marriage, the meeting of personal needs, and the foundational building blocks for an enduring and successful marriage.

CE 431-Family Financial Management

PM 411-Expository Preaching

An investigation of the development and delivery of expository messages. Authoritative preaching is much needed in this age of multimedia presentations, social action appeals, and experiential worship services. Modern techniques can enhance communication but they can also substitute for the message. Today’s preacher competes with many sources of information for the hearts and attention of their church members. It has likely never been more important for the preacher to improve their skill at delivering God’s message.

CE 402-Administrative Priorities

Focusing on leadership strategies that have emerged from a Biblical philosophy of administration, this course will serve as a guide for the day-to-day management of the Christian school.