After one-year absence, bivocational pastors/wives gather again
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
PIGEON FORGE — While COVID-19 caused many events to be canceled in 2021, perhaps no one group was more affected than bivocational ministers and their wives.
In order to help meet a need caused by the cancelation last year, the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board scheduled 13 small one-night events for bivocational pastors and their wives across the state. “While expressing appreciation for the 13 regional bivocational banquets, pastors and wives alike longed to reconnect with friends from across the state,” said Roger “Sing” Oldham, pastor engagement specialist for the TBMB.
“We are grateful that through their faithful support of the Cooperative Program, Tennessee Baptists made this retreat possible again this year,” Oldham added.
Oldham observed that the annual three-day retreat has built strong ties of community for hundreds of bivocational pastors and their wives.
“It also has been a launching pad for vibrant ministries across every region of the state,” he added.
The Bivocational Ministry Leadership Team (comprised of bivocational ministers across Tennessee) chose the theme “Empowered to Overcome” as a declaration of faith that pastors and churches will impact their communities and reach people with the gospel in unprecedented ways in 2022, Oldham said.
Roger Britton, bivocational ministry specialist and pastor of White’s Creek Baptist Church, Rockwood, and his wife, Kathy, have attended the retreats for 23 years. He noted that because the 2021 meeting was canceled, the sense of urgency to gather together was at an all-time high.
The numbers bear that out. The three-day retreat drew 300 people, including program personnel and staff members, Britton said. “This year’s retreat was a big success. We had the largest registration ever but 28 couples had to cancel due to COVID and other illnesses,” he added.
“In the midst of COVID, this retreat was needed. Every pastor I spoke to affirmed the need to be back together as a group at the retreat. I have had numerous texts, calls and e-mails telling me this was the best retreat ever.
“My response to them has been, ‘It always amazes me how God can put things together before we arrive to provide exactly what we need to have the best retreat ever.’ So, what do I attribute the success to? God. He knows what we need. All we must do is follow His lead.”
Former Tennessee Baptist director of missions Joe Wright (Dyer Baptist Association) now serves as executive director of the Bivocational and Small Church Leadership Network.
Wright is appreciative that the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board makes this retreat possible for bivocational pastors. “There is a hunger for this conference. The number one issue of bivocational pastors is that they are lonely. This provides an opportunity to build relationships and allows them to be themselves,” Wright said.
Wright added that the meeting also is so effective because leaders of the event “seek to make it relevant and a good value for their investment.”
Pastor Jeff Thornton of Whiteside Baptist Church, Whiteside, and a member of the Bivocational Ministry Leadership Team, agreed that it was imperative to resume the retreat after a year’s absence.
“It was important to meet together in order to return to a sense of normalcy,” he noted.
“We also needed the fellowship with each other and to have an opportunity to be preached to” he continued. Thornton noted that COVID-19 took a toll on everyone last year including bivocational ministers.
“If pastors and their wives need a reason to get recharged, this year’s retreat was the place to do that. I can’t wait until next year,” Thornton said.
Randy Nichols, pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church, Fayetteville observed that the retreat is meaningful for both him and his wife, Kim.
“It was a loss that we were unable to attend last year,” he said. Noting that pastors had to take the brunt of COVID last year, this year’s event has given them an opportunity “to catch our breath. This is like a vacation we didn’t take last year,” he said.
As a bivocational pastor, he often is unable to attend The Summit, the annual meeting of Tennessee Baptists, or the Southern Baptist Convention, Nichols said, “This is our connection to the Baptist world.” he said.
Tony Willis, pastor of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, Portland, noted that it was hard not being able to attend last year. “ I can only do one TBC or SBC event a year and this is it. I would not miss it for the world.”
Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the TBMB, noted that he and his wife, Jeanne, have been associated with the conference for about 20 years.
“Our lives have been made richer being friends with and serving with these iron men and women of the Southern Baptist Convention,” he said.
After being postponed last year, “the attendance has been incredible,” said Davis, one of several speakers who addressed the theme of the conference.
He noted that like everyone, bivocational pastors have been through a storm during the past two years. “You have been in a place where you have been burdened beyond measure,” Davis said.
Davis reminded the bivo pastors and their wives that when Daniel was in the midst of his storm, he looked at the Holy Lord, not the hungry lion.
“If you want to make a difference, keep your eyes on Jesus in the midst of your storm.” he said. B&R