Who They Are:
“Bivocational churches”
How Many:
Bivocational Ministers Resources
Pastoral Enrichment Network
A Network of Fellowships designed for the Bivocational Minister
What is PEN?
Pastoral Enrichment Network (PEN) units are groups/fellowships of pastors that meet within Baptist Associations to enrich the members for the fulfillment of God’s Call in their lives through encouragement, equipping, and enabling. PEN was developed by the Resource Center for Pastoral Excellence at Samford University in partnership with Gary Farley, one of Southern Baptists’ most experienced rural ministry consultants. Though the principles involved would be of help to any pastor, the focus in the development of the PEN units has been the bivocational pastor.
A PEN unit is made up of ministers who meet monthly for two to three hours. The primary elements of each meeting are content, reflection, discussion and prayer.
The goals of PEN are –
– Provide information to pastors that will be of value to them
– Provide an opportunity for reflection and discussion, focusing on application in their lives and ministries
– Provide enrichment through fellowship and prayer
Pastoral Enrichment Network units –
– may use any name
– are led by the Director of Missions or a seasoned pastor
– meet at the time that is best suited to its members
– select materials based upon the needs and interests of the members
– may include special events from time to time
– may meet in conjunction with seminary extension or other training models that are already in use
– may include those who are called to ministry but have not yet served a church
The “network” aspect of PEN goes far beyond the group meetings. The members will begin to relate as friends and partners in ministry. Though great resources and very helpful instruction may be received during the process, it will be the relationships that will have the greatest impact upon the members. That is one reason for using the word “network” rather than group or meeting.