Side Hustles for Pastors: Creating & Selling Digital Resources (Part 5)
You’ve dedicated your life to teaching, preaching, and guiding others in their faith journey. Over the years, you’ve likely created sermon series, Bible study guides, leadership resources, and discipleship materials—resources that have helped shape your congregation. What if those same materials could serve other churches while also providing supplemental income for your ministry and family?
Many ministry leaders, especially those in bivocational roles or church planting, struggle to balance financial stability with ministry demands. At the same time, thousands of churches—especially small or new ones—need high-quality biblical resources but lack the staff or time to create them from scratch.
Selling digital resources isn’t about turning ministry into a business; it’s about equipping fellow pastors, strengthening churches, and extending your ministry beyond the pulpit. When done with integrity, this can provide a sustainable income stream that aligns with your calling.
This post explores how pastors can develop and sell digital resources in a way that serves the Church while maintaining a ministry-first approach.
Why Digital Resources Work for Pastors
Helps Other Churches – Many pastors and ministry leaders need quality resources but don’t have the time to create them.
Creates Passive or Semi-Passive Income – Digital products can be developed once and sold repeatedly with minimal ongoing effort.
Expands Your Ministry Reach – Your insights, study guides, and sermon outlines can equip churches beyond your local congregation.
Scalable with Minimal Overhead – Unlike traditional jobs, digital products require no inventory or large upfront investment, making them an ideal side hustle for pastors.
Now, let’s explore some of the best digital products pastors can create and how to get started.
Types of Digital Resources Pastors Can Create & Sell
1. Sermon Series Resources
What It Includes: Sermon outlines, PowerPoint slides, social media graphics, small group discussion guides, and video sermon clips.
Who It Helps: Bivocational pastors, church planters, and small churches needing structured, Bible-based teaching material.
Where to Sell: Websites like Sermonary, Ministry Pass, or your own website.
Tip: Offer a free sample sermon to build trust and showcase the quality of your work.
2. Bible Study & Discipleship Guides
What It Includes: Weekly lessons, discussion questions, leader notes, and Scripture reflections.
Who It Helps: Small groups, discipleship programs, and Christian educators.
Where to Sell: Amazon Kindle, Gumroad, or a dedicated section on your website.
Tip: Consider creating seasonal studies (e.g., Advent, Lent) that churches can use year after year.
3. Church Administration & Leadership Resources
What It Includes: Budget templates, volunteer handbooks, event planning checklists, and leadership development materials.
Who It Helps: Pastors, ministry leaders, and church administrators.
Where to Sell: Your website, Etsy (for printables), or ministry resource platforms.
Tip: Offer a free ministry planning worksheet to encourage engagement.
4. Digital Courses & Webinars
What It Includes: Video lessons on preaching, church planting, biblical leadership, or pastoral self-care.
Who It Helps: Young pastors, ministry students, and leadership teams.
Where to Sell: Platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, or Udemy.
Tip: Provide a certificate of completion for leadership development programs.
5. Worship & Media Resources
What It Includes: Worship slide templates, social media graphics, video clips, and pre-designed sermon series artwork.
Who It Helps: Worship pastors, tech teams, and churches without in-house design staff.
Where to Sell: Creative Market, Canva Templates, or your own website.
Tip: Create an annual subscription plan where churches can access new templates each month.
Getting Started with Digital Resources
Identify Your Strengths – What materials have you already created that could benefit other churches?
Choose a Platform – Will you sell through an existing marketplace (e.g., Sermonary, Amazon) or your own website?
Create High-Quality Content – Ensure your materials are well-organized, easy to use, and biblically sound.
Set a Fair Price – Make your resources affordable yet valuable (consider offering a free sample to build trust).
Promote with Integrity – Share through email lists, social media, and ministry networks without making it feel transactional.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Overpricing – Keep prices reasonable and ministry-minded, rather than focusing solely on profit.
Selling Instead of Serving – Frame everything as a tool to equip, not just a way to make money.
Ignoring Copyright & Licensing – Ensure any quotes, images, or worship materials used are properly licensed.
Neglecting the Spiritual Aspect – Even digital products should reflect a heart for ministry and biblical integrity.
Final Thoughts
Developing digital resources isn’t about commercializing the Gospel—it’s about providing valuable tools that help fellow pastors and churches grow. When done prayerfully and with integrity, it can be an extension of your ministry that also provides financial sustainability.
Do you already create digital resources for ministry? Or is this something you’d consider? Let’s continue the conversation on [social media], where I’d love to hear your thoughts!
This is Part 5 of the Side Hustles for Pastors series. Stay tuned for more insights on how pastors can earn supplemental income while staying true to their calling!
