by Dennis Bickers | Jun 29, 2015 | Opinion
As I meet with the pastor search committees of smaller churches, there is usually a concern that it will be difficult to find a pastor. That concern is well founded. Most denominational leaders will tell you that one of their biggest struggles is to find pastors to...
by Dennis Bickers | Feb 3, 2015 | Opinion
It is becoming increasingly difficult for smaller churches to find pastors due to a growing number of retiring ministers and a shrinking number of younger ministers willing to serve smaller churches. Therefore, there are at least six realities that pastor search...
by Dennis Bickers | Nov 14, 2014 | Opinion
I served a small, rural church as a bivocational pastor for 20 years before accepting a judicatory role that works with dozens of smaller churches as well as larger ones. I’ve also written eight books on bivocational ministry and issues affecting smaller...
by Dennis Bickers | Oct 17, 2014 | Opinion
Leaders from three churches shared how God was using them to impact their communities at the regional biennial meeting of American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky. Two of the churches were smaller. One speaker was a bivocational pastor whose church had 24...
by Dennis Bickers | Jul 2, 2014 | Opinion
The most critical time in the life of a small church is the time they spend between pastors. This is a time that should be spent in reflection as they review their history and look toward the future. It is a time to discern a fresh vision from God regarding their...
