Dearest Friends, the Apostle Paul said: 

I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.  I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace . . .

Thank you for your sincere interest in the work of the Bivocational & Small Church Leadership Network (BSCLN) and to the needs of the small churches across our land.  Most recent studies show that 25% of our churches have less than 24 people in them on an average Sunday morning while another 26% have less than 49 people in them.  Increase that number to 75 people and you have discovered the size of 66% of our churches.  Indeed, we are a nation of small churches.  The BSCLN exists to “Engage, Equip and Encourage” the leaders of these small churches dotted across our land.  Many of these leaders are bivocational pastors who must by financial necessity work a separate job to make ends meet within their households.  As you can guess, this places tremendous stress and pressure upon them, their families and most of all their ability to lead within their churches.

OUR HISTORY:

For over four decades, the Bivocational and Small Church Leadership Network has been rooted in early biblical church strategies, centuries of Kingdom contribution, and current mission challenges: 

In 1977, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) began a new focus on bivocational ministry by employing a National Bivocational Consultant for the Home Mission Board. 

In 1980, the Southern Baptist Bivocational Minister’s Association (SBBMA) was organized.

In 1996, the SBBMA’s ministry to bivocational leaders and their churches was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization.

In 2005, the North American Mission Board removed its funding from the SBBMA due to restructuring for a new emphasis on church planting and evangelism. Since then, the SBBMA has maintained its identity and expanded its scope with little funding except modest membership dues and donations, churches and partnership gifts and services. 

In 2006, the organization voted to expand its membership to include all leaders of smaller membership churches, not just those serving bivocationally.  It was also adopted that the focus of the SBBMA would be those churches averaging 125 or less in attendance, which is 83% of all churches.  Churches from all denominations with like-minded doctrine and practice may participate in the mission of the organization.

In 2009, the organization voted to change its name from the Southern Baptist Bivocational Ministers Association, Inc., to the Bivocational & Small Church Leadership Network, Inc. (BSCLN) in order to focus and enlarge its ministry impact with pastors and church leadership across our nation.

In 2014, the BSCLN launched a national mission vision of strategically increasing its financial development to include individuals, churches, entities, state and national conventions; a strategy that continues into the present.

In 2019, the BSCLN adopted a fund-raising strategy of developing relationships with the primary group of churches to which we relate.  This strategy includes an initial goal of 1,000 churches giving $10 per month and 100 churches giving $100 or more per month.  It is hoped that partnering churches will commit to 1% of their budget for the welfare of other churches.

OUR MISSION:

The Bivocational & Small Church Leadership Network seeks to fulfill our mandate to “Engage, Equip & Encourage” the leadership of all smaller-attendance churches with the result being:

Mission-focused churches that are strong in evangelism, missions and ministry

Passionate pastors prepared to lead in preaching, worship and prayer experiences

Pastoral families that are confident and comfortable with God’s call upon their lives

Training of pastors and leadership teams for ministry, service and congregational health

The BSCLN has a strategy for accomplishing these goals by developing and delivering resources to small church leaders through books, studies and other website based materials AND creating opportunities to build networks of continuing education and encouragement through unique partnerships with state conventions and other entities.  We believe the needs of small membership church leaders/pastors can be recognized and fulfilled through a faithful focus on their importance in our Lord’s Kingdom.

OUR FINANCIAL NEEDS & FUNDRAISING:

There is no membership or membership dues to be a part of the BSCLN!  And, all of our resources are free to all church leaders that may be able to use them!

When the BSCLN stepped away from NAMB support in 2005, we also stepped away from being underwritten by the Cooperative Program funding strategy of NAMB.  Instead, the BSCLN now operates as a stand-alone auxiliary to the churches and receives its financial support primarily from individuals and churches who believe in our mission of service to smaller-attendance churches.  

In 2019, we adopted a plan of intentional fundraising based on relationships with like-minded individuals, local churches and larger institutions that commit to an ongoing ministry to smaller-attendance churches and their leaders.  This grassroots plan challenges us to develop relationships with 1,000 churches who will give $10 per month and 100 churches who will give $100 per month.  This is our primary financial plan for continuing ministry into the near future.  We promise to use every cent to invest in the work of our Lord through His bride, the local church.

WE commit to make a concerted effort to advance the ministries of small churches by developing networks, strategies, partnerships, resources and services.  Won’t you join with us to make a difference in the lives and ministry of small churches across our land?

May God bless you in all you attempt for Him,

Joe Wright

Executive Director, BSCLN