The traditional bivocational pastor, by common definition, serves churches that are unable to compensate a pastor with fulltime pay. These pastors are incredible servants who fill a huge need among American congregations. The new bivocational pastor is similar to the traditional bivocational pastor with some key differences. To avoid confusion, I refer to this new role as the marketplace pastor. 

They are appearing on the scene quietly.

Not many pundits are noticing the emerging trend. They are a different kind of bivocational pastor.

The traditional bivocational pastor, by common definition, serves churches that are unable to compensate a pastor with fulltime pay. These pastors are incredible servants who fill a huge need among American congregations.

The new bivocational pastor is similar to the traditional bivocational pastor with some key differences. To avoid confusion, I refer to this new role as the marketplace pastor. Here, then, are eight characteristics of marketplace pastors:

1. The marketplace pastor serves in churches that could offer fulltime compensation to the pastor, but they choose not to do so. This difference is key. Both the pastor and the church have decided that the pastor will be bivocational, even though the church could pay full compensation.
2. Marketplace pastors get their name by their desire to stay in the marketplace with one of their vocations. One pastor noted he gets over 20 opportunities each month to share the gospel because he kept his marketplace vocation.
3. Marketplace pastors tend to have extraordinary leadership skills. They utilize those skills effectively in both of their vocations.
4. These pastors have a high work capacity. This position is not for everyone. These leaders must take on a huge volume of responsibilities.

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