Top Pastor Side Hustles for 2025 [Ranked]

Many pastors seek ways to financially support their ministry while continuing their calling. Whether you’re a full-time pastor, a bi-vocational pastor, or a church planter, a side hustle can help provide extra income without taking away from your gospel ministry.

But not all pastor side hustles are equally effective. Some align well with pastoral responsibilities and the needs of a local church, while others may be more time-consuming or difficult to manage alongside sermon prep and ministry work.

In this podcast, we rank 11 pastor side hustle ideas. This ranking will help pastors find the best ways to earn income while keeping their focus on their calling. Whether you’re looking to supplement your church money, support a church plant, or simply make ends meet, this list will help you navigate the world of bi-vocational ministry.

Let’s jump in.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Ranking System

If we’re going to rank pastor side hustle ideas, we need a ranking system. First, we’ll cover the basics of pastor side hustles and then introduce our ranking system: The Three M’s.

Pastor Side Hustles: The Basics

Many pastors throughout history, including the Apostle Paul, worked side jobs to financially support their ministry. Today, many pastors follow the same model through bi-vocational ministry. Having a side hustle can help a church planter sustain their church plant or a full-time pastor ease financial burdens without relying entirely on church money.

Pastors should seek side hustles that align with their skills, values, and schedules. Some require little time investment, while others might demand a significant commitment. Choosing wisely ensures that the side hustle enhances, rather than distracts from, gospel ministry.

The Three M’s

For this ranking, we’re using The Three M’s:

• Ministry-Friendly: Does this side hustle align with a pastor’s calling and responsibilities?
• Money-Making Potential: How much income can a pastor reasonably earn?
• Manageability: How easy is it to balance this hustle with sermon prep, pastoral strategies, and ministry work?

Now, let’s get into our ranked list!

11 Pastor Side Hustles

Now its time to get into our list of the top 11 pastor side hustle ideas. We’ll cover the basics of each job and then rank it on our scale.

1. Writing and Selling Books

Writing books on faith, theology, or pastoral strategies is one of the best ways for pastors to share their wisdom while earning passive income. Whether it’s a devotional, a Bible study guide, or a book about bi-vocational ministry, publishing can be both financially and spiritually rewarding.

Pros:

• Can create passive income
• Aligns with ministry work
• Establishes authority and credibility

Cons:

• Requires time investment upfront
• Success depends on marketing and audience building

2. Online Courses and Coaching

Many pastors have expertise in leadership, church growth, or discipleship. Creating an online course or offering coaching sessions to other pastors or church leaders can be a powerful way to financially support your ministry.

Pros:

• High income potential
• Directly supports other pastors
• Flexible schedule

Cons:

• Requires technical knowledge to set up
• Needs consistent promotion

3. Speaking Engagements

Pastors are natural public speakers. Booking paid speaking engagements at conferences, retreats, or even corporate events can provide significant income while staying within the realm of gospel ministry.

Pros:

• Uses existing skills
• Builds ministry influence
• High earning potential

Cons:

• Requires travel
• Availability may be inconsistent

4. Blogging or Podcasting

Starting a faith-based blog or podcast can generate income through sponsorships, ad revenue, and donations. However, it requires consistency and time before seeing financial results.

Pros:

• Can reach a global audience
• Can generate passive income over time
• Great for sharing the gospel digitally

Cons:

• Growth can be slow
• Requires consistent content creation

5. Freelance Writing

Writing articles, devotionals, or sermon outlines for Christian publications can be a flexible side hustle. While not as profitable as book publishing, it can still help earn income with minimal effort.

Pros:

• Immediate earning potential
• No upfront investment required
• Uses existing skills

Cons:

• Income may be inconsistent
• Lower earning potential than book publishing

6. Real Estate Investing

Owning rental properties or flipping houses can provide passive income, but it requires upfront capital and ongoing management. For a pastor with business acumen, it can be a great long-term strategy.

Pros:

• High income potential
• Can become passive income
• Long-term wealth building

Cons:

• Requires financial investment
• Can be time-consuming if self-managed

7. Church Consulting

Experienced pastors can offer consulting services to struggling churches, helping with pastoral strategies, church growth, and digital outreach. It’s a solid way to earn while serving other ministries.

Pros:

• Directly benefits other churches
• Leverages pastoral experience
• High earning potential

Cons:

• Requires credibility and networking
• Can be inconsistent

8. Teaching or Tutoring

Teaching part-time at a Bible college or tutoring students in subjects like theology or public speaking can be a good fit for pastors looking to supplement their income.

Pros:

• Aligns with ministry
• Provides stable income
• Strengthens teaching skills

Cons:

• Limited job opportunities
• Requires formal credentials in some cases

9. Wedding Officiating

While officiating weddings can provide extra income, the demand may be inconsistent, and some pastors may not feel comfortable charging for their services.

Pros:

• Can be a meaningful experience
• Easy to do if already ordained

Cons:

• Unreliable income
• Ethical concerns about charging fees

10. Driving for Ride-Share or Delivery Services

Driving for Uber, Lyft, or DoorDash can provide immediate cash flow, but it may not align well with pastoral responsibilities and can be time-consuming.

Pros:

• Quick way to earn extra income
• Flexible schedule

Cons:

• Can be tiring and time-consuming
• Doesn’t leverage ministry skills

11. Selling Handmade or Digital Products

Selling church merchandise, sermon templates, or handmade crafts can generate income, but it requires ongoing marketing and effort to see significant results.

Pros:

• Can be done online
• Uses creativity

Cons:

• Requires marketing and audience-building
• Income may be inconsistent

Bivocational Jobs for Pastors

Many pastors seek ways to financially support their ministry, and a well-chosen side hustle can provide the extra income they need. While some hustles fit well within a pastoral calling, others may require careful balancing with full-time ministry. The key is to find a hustle that supports, rather than distracts from, gospel ministry.

By choosing wisely, pastors can follow the example of the Apostle Paul—working to sustain their ministry while remaining fully committed to their local church. Side hustles should enhance, not hinder, a pastor’s ability to serve Jesus Christ and their congregation.

What side hustle works best for you? Let us know your thoughts!

More Resources for Pastors

• Planning On Firing Your Pastor?
• When to Do Announcements in Church: Pros and Cons
• Church Website Templates – The Pros And Cons
• Addressing Pastoral Mental Health: 10 Tips You Need To Know
• Church Financial Statements: Templates for Good Stewardship

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