Who Are We?

The Bivocational & Small Church Leadership Network (BSCLN) exists to support, encourage, and equip pastors who serve bivocationally and those leading smaller, normative-size Southern Baptist churches.

 The Network was originally informally organized in the late 1970s and officially incorporated in 1996 as the Southern Baptist Bivocational Ministers Association (SBBMA). At that time, it was estimated that approximately 20% of Southern Baptist pastors were bivocational.

 Over the following decades, that number steadily increased. By 2006, according to the 2005 Annual Church Profile (ACP) of the Southern Baptist Convention, 31% of pastors were serving in non-full-time roles. In 2009, the organization adopted its current name to reflect a broader ministry focus—one that includes leadership development for smaller-membership churches, which represent the normative size of most SBC congregations.

 By 2016, an estimated 37% of SBC pastors were bivocational. The most recent ACP report (ending in 2024) suggests that at least 43% of SBC pastors are currently non-full-time. Many informed estimates place the actual number closer to 65%. This means that between 20,000 and 30,000 of the 47,000 SBC churches are led by bivocational, part-time, or volunteer pastors. Additionally, it is estimated that 90% of SBC churches currently without a pastor are actively seeking a non-full-time shepherd.

We share this information not to raise alarm, but to raise awareness. The reality is that the majority of Southern Baptist pastors today serve bivocationally and/or in smaller churches, and they are indeed the backbone of our Convention.  The BSCLN exists to address the needs of these ministers by fostering connection, encouragement, coaching, and practical support. Through the resources and relationships of the Network, we seek to help pastors remain faithful, healthy, and encouraged as they serve Christ and His churches.

*The Bivocational & Small Church Leadership Network is a non-profit ministry dedicated to encouraging, supporting, and resourcing bivocational and smaller membership church pastors and leaders across the Southern Baptist Convention.   While the BSCLN is not an SBC entity, our primary focus is helping SBC pastors and their churches.  Our funding comes primarily through voluntary donations from SBC entities, state conventions, local associations, churches and SBC church members.