The Values That Shape Our Ministry

“Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith…” Acts 14:22a

These core values express the heart of who we are as a network. They shape our culture, guide our decisions, and reflect our commitment to strengthen and encourage bivocational pastors and smaller-membership church leaders as they faithfully serve Christ and shepherd His people.

We Value Bivocational Pastors.

We believe bivocational pastors are fully called shepherds, faithfully serving Christ in multiple arenas and are not “less-than” in any way. We honor their unique sacrifices and seek to support them in both their ministry calling and all other areas of responsibility. We stand by the principle that there is no such thing as “part-time” ministry.

We Value Normative-Size (Smaller Membership) Churches.

We believe smaller membership churches are vital expressions of Christ’s body in communities everywhere, not struggling versions of larger churches. We celebrate their relational strength, local impact, and Gospel faithfulness.

We Value Faithful Shepherding.

We believe pastoral ministry is about faithfully shepherding God’s people. We seek to strengthen pastors in preaching the Word, caring well for people, and leading with integrity and courage.

We Value Personal Spiritual Health.

We believe a pastor’s personal walk with Christ is foundational to everything else. We encourage spiritual disciplines, emotional health, and healthy rhythms of rest so that leaders serve from overflow, not exhaustion.

We Value Practical Training.

We believe training should be Biblical, accessible, realistic, and immediately applicable to the unique realities of bivocational and smaller membership ministry. We prioritize practical tools and usable resources.

We Value Encouraging Relationships.

We believe pastors thrive when they are not isolated. We intentionally create spaces for meaningful connection, peer learning, and genuine mutual encouragement.

*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.