Onesmas, you wrote:

"So, in our context, we’ve been praying and encouraging leaders to start small businesses — not just for daily provision, but as bridges for relationships and witness. In this way, support is not a burden placed on the flock, but an overflow of God’s wisdom, care, and creativity in mission.

In the end, the principle we see in Scripture is that church resources were distributed “as anyone had need” (Acts 4:35). That is still our heartbeat: needs-based generosity, coupled with disciples living missionally even through their work."

In the neighborhood and the family I grew up in, our role models held regular jobs or were self-employed while they served in their churches. They still had the concept of the traditional pastor, but this freed them from becoming a burden to the congregations.

At about 26 years of age, I started my own business with the idea that I would be free to take time off and travel in the ministry. It wasn't until about 20 years later that I realized that full-time ministry did not have to have the traditional meaning. In fact it can often lead to the misconception that only a minority are "called" into "the ministry."