Derrick Miller on Co-Vocational Calling, Merging with a 100-Year-Old Church, and Leading Through Change
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In today’s episode, Derrick Miller invites us into the story of Makers Church in San Diego and the co-vocational calling that’s shaped his life as both pastor and firefighter. Derrick shares how a surprising “church marriage” with a 100-year-old congregation, neighborhood change, and a multi-million-dollar building renovation have forced him and his team to slow down, listen carefully to the Spirit, and rethink what sustainable leadership actually looks like. Along the way, he offers a lived picture of priesthood-of-all-believers, where every follower of Jesus is sent into their workplace, street, and city as a full participant in God’s mission.
In this conversation Jason and Derrick talk about:
The origin story of Makers Church and how Derrick’s firefighter calling shaped their co-vocational model,
How a young church plant “married” a 100-year-old congregation, and inherited a spiritual legacy, not just a building,
How neighborhood change and selling church-owned homes opened the door for new mission and a major renovation,
The shift from pastor-led decisions to communal discernment, elder leadership, and governance that reflects real church life,
Why co-vocational ministry is about more than budgets - and how it reframes staffing, power, and how we view congregants as sent ones,
Practical ways pastors can affirm everyday work as mission and equip people to live as the church where they live, work, and play.
Derrick offers a hopeful and grounded vision for pastors wrestling with limited resources, changing neighborhoods, and questions about what’s next for their church. Whether you’re leading in a rented gym, renovating a century-old sanctuary, or simply tired of feeling like everything depends on you, may this conversation expand your imagination, ease some pressure, and help you see your people, and their everyday work, as central to the kingdom story God is writing in your city.
Derrick Miller
Derrick Miller is the co-vocational lead pastor of Makers Church in San Diego, California, where he has served for over a decade while also working full-time as a firefighter. Under his leadership, Makers has become a multi-generational, multi-ethnic congregation rooted in the North Park neighborhood, shaped significantly by a “church marriage” with historic North Park Baptist Church.
Derrick is passionate about helping followers of Jesus see their workplace as a primary mission field and lives this out daily in the fire hall, his neighborhood, and the life of his church. He and his team are committed to communal discernment, shared leadership, and equipping every congregant to live as a sent one where they live, work, and play. Derrick is married with three children and loves investing in the church in San Diego and beyond as it learns to live out the priesthood of all believers in ordinary life.
Shownotes
Partners
Special thanks to the Canadian Bible Society for making this episode possible. We invite you to explore their Bible Course to help your church grow in Scripture engagement.
The work of strengthening pastors across Canada is only possible because of generous partners like you. As we look to the future, would you consider joining us in prayer, sharing this episode, or making a gift to invest in a vibrant, Jesus-centered church in every community?
