In many churches, the pastor’s salary is a quiet issue. There is a sense of discomfort from both the pastor and the members when the topic is broached. Such discomfort is unfortunate, however, because a number of churches will not seek every year to make certain the pastor is paid fairly.
A couple of prefatory comments are in order. First, we all know of the extreme examples of pastors living lavishly or mismanaging money. Those stories, though true, represent a small minority. Most pastors are not overpaid. And most pastors manage their limited finances well. Second, I am aware that many people are unemployed and that anyone who has a job should be grateful. That is still not a good reason to pay a pastor unfairly. As a final note, this brief article is relevant to all paid church staff, though my focus is here on the pastor.
In my 25 years of consulting and working with churches, I have discovered five common issues that are not always known by most church members. And lack of awareness of any one of these issues can have a detrimental impact on fair compensation for the pastor.
- A pay or compensation package is not the same as a salary. I cringe when I hear churches state a package to be the pay for the pastor. The package includes benefits such as health insurance and expense reimbursements such as business use of the automobile. No worker in a secular company adds their benefits and expenses and calls it their pay. Anything other than the cash payment (before taxes) the pastor receives should be reported in a totally separate category.
- There are many resources to find out what the fair compensation for a pastor should be. Many denominations provide their own compensation studies. But you can do an Internet search for “pastor pay” and see a plethora of resources that are available. And as a rule of thumb, you could seek to estimate what the mean income is for families in the church, and use that as a basis for compensation for the pastor. Churches that do not do their homework on pastoral compensation tend to underpay their pastors.
- Many pastors request no raises but would still appreciate one. Some pastors simply don’t want to deal with a critic who might question any raise given to a pastor. Others feel extremely uncomfortable talking about money in general, and use the “no raise” request to deflect further conversation. Some think it’s just the noble thing to do. But most pastors, in reality, would appreciate a fair raise to keep up with growing expenses. Don’t accept their requests as the last word.
- Many pastors are under extreme stress because they do not have adequate income to meet their financial obligations. Like anyone else who is under heavy financial burdens, a pastor can find his thoughts consumed with worry. Because he is so distracted, he naturally is less effective in his ministry. Both he and his family feel the pressure.
- Some pastors leave their churches because of pay issues. You will not likely hear a pastor announce in his resignation that he is leaving because of financial pressures. The reality is that, for a number of pastors, the issue of compensation is a major push from one church to another, or from the church to a secular vocation. It’s not that the pastor is in his job for the money; it’s that the compensation for his vocation is insufficient to meet his family’s needs.
Paul wrote these words to his young protégé, Timothy, in 1 Timothy 5:17-18: “The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain and, the worker is worthy of his wages’” (HCSB).
It is unfortunate that the few indulgent pastors who live lavish lifestyles get most of the attention. The reality is that most of the some 400,000 pastors in America are not overpaid; indeed many are underpaid. Those are the pastors who need our attention.
Posted on December 17, 2012
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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522 Comments
I live in a rural part of Georgia. The church is quite large for the area of about 600 at 2 separate services.. The church has grown from 200 attendance to 600 attendance in the last 7 years. There has been 3 building projects and 3 million $ in debt. The pastor requires his pay to be a % based on church members. He makes a 6 figure salary plus a benefit package plus half of his personal items paid for such as housing which he has a 600,000.00 house a 50,000.00 car, clothing, food, utility, travel, gas, plus a debit visa for anything else. He has deacons in place to take care of the body of Christ. There are 6 to 12 families per deacon depending on family size. Our pastor will not be hindered by the church body unless there is a funeral or wedding. He says if someone calls the church needing him the deacons are not doing their job. My husband is a deacon and I’m a deacons wife. The deacons and other elders in the church takes all the burden of the church off the pastor. He stays at the church or at home all week and studies the word for lessons while others take care of the body. Our pastor is taken very well care of, he has no stress at all. He also has 8 fulltime staff members to help him during the day with what ever he needs. Most in the church thinks His pay and extras is quite excessive, but this is what he asks for and we don’t want him feeling underpaid and over worked. So the church body does most of the work for him. He says if he’s there for one, he will have to be there for all, so he doesn’t really know the people, he just runs the office and does the sermon on Sunday.
I do not understand why pastors cannot perform services and hold down a day job. Perhaps it is that I do not hold doctrine in high esteem, but I cherry-pick one idea from Zwingli: Let every man be his own priest. I would prefer clergy with day jobs. I suppose we’d need more of them, in order to cover all the bases when schedules get in the way, but when clergy are volunteers, I trust them more to stay on track. While I do not doubt that many pastors at small churches are paid very little, there are also clergy at churches who are paid obscene amounts that cannot be explained away with references to “expenses.” (A very large church in northeastern Florida comes immediately to mind.)
Don’t forget that God will payback what is due. Remember this and know that there is no limit to what you may give of yourself. I’ll tell you that you wouldn’t comprehend what is entrusted to me. Darkness is a reality in places in plain sight, ironically where the opposite should be. God turns many things upside down wisely.
Seek. A large number doesn’t change even when truth is handed on their doorstep, though you see they continuously attempt some form of repentance. Pride and stubbornness, deafness and death.
If you want to comprehend and be brought to what great faith was promised to us, look to the horizon constantly and commit everything in your possession.
Seek and ye shall find? It was the promise for ages and it is an age where we are desperate to seek while the world degrades and gets dry.
To you who is reading this, committing this, I’m not telling you where the door is yet. Have hope, which I’m reminding you. Truth says that an existence without limit or lack, without uncertainty, with God, is so close that you should be ready before nightfall.
Now, to all of the ones writing here about finances, I’m in the market for a job and income like many. Have no worry about what you’ll eat. Know that if you’re in good standing, if you starve to death in your stomach, you’ll be quenched in life always.
Wise words from someone who knows how to discern the spoken word of God.
This life is quite the journey!
It is not our job to conform others to God’s ways but we can aid in bringing them to the footsteps of Jesus. He is the one who penetrates their heart through actions and deeds. Those He has taught know who is truly at the helm of all. His ways are not always understood without the Holy Spirit but they are perfect.
When our focus is on Jesus and keeping His commandments the rest of life falls where it needs to.
Thank you so much for posting this article. I am a pastor and this article deals with very import issues that many of us face.
Richard,
I can’t imagine why you would think that it is in any way appropriate for the government to be dictating to churches what they should or shouldn’t pay their pastors. The whole notion is WRONG!!
Firstly, the churches of the New Testament have their own governing power. The church at Jerusalem did not tell the church in Antioch how to handle their finances, nor did the church at Rome (New Testament, not the behemoth there today) tell the churches of Galatia how to handle theirs.
Secondly, and in spite of the clamor, the New Testament does state that the laborer is worthy of his hire, and the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. Furthermore, the scripture goes on to instruct us Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. While the principles are steadfast, the particulars are vague, so as to allow each local church to conduct their affairs according to the principals set forth without being forced into a “one size fits all” administration of business. Knowing these things we can conclude that each church should conduct their own affairs, paying their pastors what they think is right and what they are able within the parameters set forth. Sub-point 1, Pastors should be paid if the church is able to. Sub-point 2; if an elder (pastor) labors well in the word and doctrine, it is not unreasonable to pay him twice as much as the average congregant makes (double honour). Sub-point 3, in churches with wealthy congregations, no one would respect a man who only made $50,000 a year. God expects his called servants to walk worthy of their calling, and He would have the people they minister to respect them, even revere them. If the minister transgresses, which is possible, he should be called into account by at least two witnesses of his own congregation. Sub-point 4, if abuses result from lack of government regulation, that is not the government’s concern- it is God’s concern who said Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
And finally (for now), have you ever heard that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” We call it the First Amendment, which though it has fallen into the lame sound-bite of “the separation of church and state” taken to infer we must hide our Biblical devotion and discipleship; it really means that the GOVERNMENT HAS NO BUSINESS TELLING CHURCHES HOW TO OPERATE. This would certainly include setting a cap for their ministers. Consider that if a cap for pastoral compensation was enacted and enforced, how long would it be until a minimum wage for pastoral compensation would follow. After all, only the government has the wisdom to regulate all of these things. If a church couldn’t afford to pay the minimum would they be forced by the government to close their doors? Would independent start-up churches be blocked at the on-set by government regulation?
Many of the men listed on the WhiteHouse petition webpage as examples of the errant pastors are either not pastors or are more than pastors. They have ministries that are beyond the local church, and some of them are outright flim-flam con-artists- do we need the White House to pass a law limiting what a church can pay a pastor because of con-artist? Should that also preclude a pastor who has additional income from whatever source (investments, royalties, side business, working spouse, etc.) from being paid a fair wage for the labor he bestows on behalf of his congregation?
Let me end by stating the obvious: signing a petition to put a cap on pastors’ salaries is foolish and dangerous and reeks of the totalitarianism of state socialism, perhaps you have not thought this through.
Don’t Worry David – the petition charges that the “pastors” are stealing from God. The Obama administration, not exhibiting any concern for God in other areas of their government, is unlikely to do so in this case.
I think any and all support that comes from the New Testament for local clergy has been taken out if context. Clearly these men were missionaries not stationary men able to keep a job. I hear pastors all the time speaking of the 10 percent tithe, why us it you only give Old Testament scripture, because it doesn’t exist in the new covenant. Listen if people want to pay pastors for going what they should fine, but I refuse. Way to much of a church budget is allocated to salaries but just senior pastors but music, youth, administrators, secretaries ect.. The. After that you have building expenses and program expenses. How much is going to the orphan and poor sadly not very much the money never makes it past the walls. Many seem to think that the church us nothing but a building that needs to be managed and have someone on call to visit sick ect.. Most if but all church congregations gave retired people who would love to visit the sick instead of saying we need one man to do it. I think when it’s all said and done we will all answer to God for how we handled matters concerning church and I feel much more comfortable and confident knowing salvation is free, so should being part of a church. Help the poor, the children, the widows not the man who is capable if working like everyone else. Then asking you to do all the volunteering to keep thier programs running. This model is contemptible and the church founders would roll over in thier graves. Man up preach the gospel for free for it is given freely, we don’t need more buildings and programs we need people who love jesus, people are the church. I ride
The creation is God’s. We, as humans, are part of His creation. Why did God create? The answer may not be what we can fully comprehend in these three dimensions but there are some general themes we see.
Being honored with thanksgiving appears to be a theme repeated over and over in the Old and New Testament. He is the master of all and is honorable. He is the Father of Spirits and should be honored for what He has done. My work and your work are allowed by him and are 100% His.
Money is not the root of all evil but money is a pathway of control. Who are you controlled by? Not everyone will admit it but we are all slaves to a master. To trace back all masters they ultimately end with God or Satan. Honor is everything in our world and the multiple spiritual dimensions most are not familiar with. Physicists can currently prove 11 dimensions with 3 we physically operate in.
How do you honor your master?
100% of our time and income belong to our Creator. Is it selfish to not give back 10% of our income and/or time? This is not a requirement of God but putting our faith in His hands and giving Him control and reign of our life puts us in our proper place. If a sinful parent gives physical things and monetarily aids their children then how much more will a perfect Father give to His children? He wants to see us reach our potential and flourish as much as possible; more so than any person on the face of the earth!
The body of Christ is vastly different in many ways and the only requirement for acceptance is to accept His free gift of grace for our unpaid sins. None of these words are to say a pastor should or should not be paid a salary. It is all about perspective.
Richard Richer, who has given you knowledge to interpret God’s spoken word and dictate what is right and wrong in ALL of God’s churches within His Son, Jesus’ body? Is it safe to say you do not know the hearts of all in every country and circumstance to judge if a pastor should work or should not work outside the church? It’s all about perspective and spending more time on our relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to best understand how we fit into this world; we are waiting for all to be wiped away and so we can go to our final home.
Are all pastor’s leading a church and its follower’s in the most effective and efficient way? Probably not. There are many examples of leaders making decisions without God’s approval. None of us are perfect and all are sinful; God’s shepherds need to lead by example so others can follow and dig deeper to know Him.
Taking that leap of faith and giving Him control of our finances is a hard step to take in the journey. You have a valid point for not wanting to pay a pastor but I do challenge you, if you do not currently, to give money to what you believe will further God’s kingdom and see where it takes you. Keep fighting the good fight and leading a life worthy of your calling. Continue searching out Him on your journey and discovering His hidden treasures!
Forgive me for jumping in here. I came across this article and I was grieved by all the comments.
For one, Christians who are posting on here who are lashing out in a rude manner should get a hold of themselves and read again in Scripture that what classifies us as Jesus followers is our LOVE for one another. If we act out of impulse and not out of Love, we only give ammunition to those who create and stand by their views of stereotypical believers.
Believers and non-believers, I pray that my post would educate and maybe shine God’s beautiful light on your hearts that you may find and embrace our Savior.
Second, pastors, like stated above, go to college to become pastors for upwards of 5 years. In a private Christian university, it becomes expensive. How can we (I’m in school for ministry) pay for that? We also desire to have families and homes. How can that be paid for? Having a full time job on top of having to lead a body of 200+ people and families not of our own sounds awful. Pastors do charity work, travel on missions and local missions, study for amazing amounts of time, run errands for many in their congregation, and have countless visitors coming in during the week for council, bible discussions, and prayer. I feel bad often when I ask my pastor to have bible discussions with me because I know he is always strapped for time with lunches and meetings. It’s a lot of work that goes sadly unnoticed by society and media. And I’m sure if it were brought up by the pastors, many would be criticized for complaining about doing something they “should do anyway” or some other false statement.
Lastly, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, I want to point out that Pastors are also a member if the Church. That is JESUS’ Church. They give as well. Not just in deeds but in money. Pastors often pay for many things such as food for events, supplies for the church, church bills, and many give generously to people who need financial help. We are men called by God to give wherever needed. We’re part of the family of Jesus Christ. Being in a family consists of supporting each other in all cases. It brings tears to my eyes knowing that people out there, believers and non believers, drop the fact that EVERYTHING in our lives including the Church, the Bible, our families, and our relationship with Jesus, BEGINS. AND ENDS. WITH. LOVE. It was God’s LOVE that created us, Gods LOVE for us that compelled him to come off of his throne to die for us, it was God’s LOVE that is ingrained in every humans heart. Love is taken out of everything once money is involved. It just goes to show that many of us are easily overcome by greed, and I’m not innocent of this. Early in my walk I struggled with not wanting to give. But God’s opened my eyes to see that everything we have is a gift. And, I know it’s cliché, but it’s true that its better to give than receive.
I pray that by Gods grace our selfish ways can be put behind us, so we’re able to learn how to walk, talk, give, and serve in LOVE.
I love you all, and “Grace of The Lord Jesus Christ be with you”,
Sincerely,
Jesus’ repentant disciple
I have read some of these comments about pastors and I have honestly been shocked at the contempt that some have for their own pastors (assuming that they are truly faithful members of a church). Have some of you forgotten that even Jesus had a treasurer and that His ministry was financed by others? For those who believe the disciples and apostles were worthy of compensation because they move from one place to another as missionaries, but that pastors are not worthy of compensation, may I ask if the young pastor Timothy, whom Paul mentored was worthy of compensation? And may I ask how much of your personal finances you contribute to missionaries each month?
Why is there such a resentment toward pastors held by those who call themselves Christians? The office of overseer or pastor is a good thing according to scripture. It is included in the five-fold ministry. As a youth pastor and now as a pastor I have noticed that it is generally true that church goers who are the least faithful, are the least reliable and give the least amount of time and effort and finances toward the advancement of the gospel are generally ones who expect most from their pastors, and who seem to be the most vocal with their criticisms. I guess the part that makes me most sad about some of the comments posted by many people on this site demanding that a pastor serve without compensation is that they most likely have (or had) a pastor that prays for them and loves them despite their contempt for him.
Being a pastor is the most difficult thing I have ever done. My church compensates me with a salary that is in the “average” range, and I am grateful for what I receive. Only my wife and kids really know the time I put in as pastor. I can assure you that it is not a 40 hour per week job. I work hard, but so do those I serve as pastor. I can promise you I don’t do it for the money, but it seems based on these comments that some church goers want to be served rather than to serve. To be honest I wish I had not read some of the judgmental and critical comments made by some who understand neither the call or the duties of a pastor. Their comments cast a dark and disturbing shadow on the American church.
The majority of pastors in America do it for a job not because they were called by God.
steve,
You state that, ” The majority of pastors in America do it for a job not because they were called by God.” Please cite your source.
Wow . . . . I am speechless with some of these posts but am better informed because of them!
Great article, Thom.
A big thank you to all the pastors and their wives who have poured their heart out, in their respective situations, on here. Took a few hours to read through all of them but was well worth the time. It was hard to hear people of God’s Kingdom attacking fellow brothers and sisters. Everyone received prayer tonight!
If there are so many people on here who consider themselves children of God then how much greater of a need is there for leading people into a deeper fellowship with our Lord and Savior? So many know the truth but few have a personal relationship with our Father!
Our society and global civilization is not the same as it was in Jesus’ time. Today’s leaders need to understand a modern culture in order to reach those with an ear to hear. We need to adapt to the problems and issues of today without sacrificing the costs associated with God’s gift of mercy. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow!
I do not possess a professional degree in Theology or Biblical Studies but greatly appreciate their sacrifice in academic credentials. How much more knowledge does a Medical Doctor (MD) have over a Nurse with an Associate of Arts? The Nurse is undoubtedly talented and a great resource but the MD can heal so many more people who have vastly more complicated sicknesses. The Pastor with a professional degree has more education than both and is spiritually equipped to aid in all facets of life! Not all people who are sick need to see the MD but what a blessing it is to see them when you need to. Different needs must be met accordingly.
All communities within Christ’s body need their flock tended to differently. Pastors, with the proper professional credentials and spiritual guidance, will do more than bless a church and its community when they are properly compensated for their knowledge. God will pour so many blessings into church members through a Pastor . . . only if, the community allows it.
Thom:
First off, I like the name, but lets be clear about your FIRST NAME….it’s either Tom like mine or Thomas….not sure why you added the M or forgot to add AS……a little name lite humor, OK? LOL
Now, to why I came to your blog here….I was looking up “Why pastors shouldn’t get a salary” and came across this, so I had to comment.
Folks, men or women, will DEBATE until the cows come home on a plethora of topics in the bible, salary being one of them, but let me just address your POINT #4 above: “Many pastors are under extreme stress because they do not have adequate income to meet their financial obligations.”
OK, let me get this sraight Doc (I respect your title and your academic background), pastors are under major stress because of so many things they have to pay for in life? Are we talking house payment, car payment, clothes for family, food for the house, which cover a few of Maslow’s Basic Needs of Food, Clothing, and Shelter. So after that, the only SECULAR financial obligations are what I like to call BEING OVEREXTENDED with things the pastor or his family NEED or WANT.
What I trying to say or going with this is, if a Pastor is hired to a church, with FINANCIAL ISSUES, then that pastor is not a good steward of his own finances and shouldn’t be hired to lead anyone.
Next, wasn’t Jesus a carpenter, meaning he had a job that apparently he collect a wage for his work, but his teachings or spreading God’s word was a GIFT FROM GOD and that’s what God wants from all of us anyway, to be evangelists to the world and spread the Holy Gospel……not every asking for money.
Also, wasn’t Jesus ALWAYS provided for when he went to towns such as Cornith and others? Didn’t folks wash his hands and feet, cloth him, feed him, give him a place to stay? NO MONEY NEEDED, RIGHT?
In other words, and I will use a televesion show as a secular example. Remember the wholesome show called “Little House on the Prairie”? Well, in those days, no basket, no offering, no salaries, nothing but the same way the Catholic Church does it in modern times…..a Home is provided for that pastor called a Rectory, transportation is provided by the church, food, a uniform or clothing. and a small STIPEND for things like maybe a Gym Memebership to workout the body or temple. For incidentals like toiletries or maybe to go out to see a movie or get burger once a month.
So, why not just do what the Catholic Church does in the Christian churches. The church does like the TV show above, put a house for the pastor and his family on the property next to the church. Give him a company car or like others alluded to a PACKAGE DEAL (Car, Clothing, Insurance, Medical, Dental, Food Stipend, etc…) and as far as the extra things for the Wife or kids, the wife could work, the kids can get their own job if 16 or older and if younger, then you basically tell your wife and kids NO to any secular WANTS they think they need that would put them in FINANCIAL TURMOIL….understand Doc?
Living as a pastor should be one of Lead By Example, with NO DEBT, no bad spending habits, and NO NO NO SALARY at all that would jepordize the family and have him get in debt based on secular society wants or needs. Maybe the Christian Church should rethink their Pastors should remain unmarried just like Paul did, to remain focus on spreading God’s word and not dividing time with a wife or kid, which takes time away from being a full-time pastor. The Catholic Church does it right with priests no salaries and not allowed to have wife or kids……plus they live on the property and are not bogged down by secular debt.
What say you Doc?
Wow. You really have it all figured out don’t you. You obviously need to walk a mile or two in our shoes.
I am astounded by the number of people who think a pastor should go unpaid. A legitimate, ordained clergyperson is required to have not only a bachelor’s, but also a master’s degree. This is expensive! When my husband felt the call to ministry, we sold our house and moved with our two young children to student housing at the seminary. He has now been in the ministry for 14 years and makes little more than he did when he started (about $30K). He has to listen with a smile on his face when people like teachers with less education and experience whine about their salaries because he would be considered mercenary and unfaithful if he complained about his. We are tired of hearing how is “real pay will come in the next life.” I work full time as well, and we barely make ends meet. We have no savings. His pension account constantly loses money due to stock market dives. The church likes to propose that he work part time and get another part time job. His response is always the same: “What would you like me to stop doing? What part of my job is not necessary?” As it is, he works an average of 60 hours a week, sometimes many more when multiple funerals come up or members are in the hospitals or in crisis and need his attention. And people would have him do that for free?? What I wouldn’t give for them to offer him that measly starting teacher’s salary.
Thom:
First off, I like the name, but lets be clear about your FIRST NAME….it’s either Tom like mine or Thomas….not sure why you added the M or forgot to add AS……a little name lite humor, OK? LOL
Now, to why I came to your blog here….I was looking up “Why pastors shouldn’t get a salary” and came across this, so I had to comment.
Folks, men or women, will DEBATE until the cows come home on a plethora of topics in the bible, salary being one of them, but let me just address your POINT #4 above: “Many pastors are under extreme stress because they do not have adequate income to meet their financial obligations.”
OK, let me get this sraight Doc (I respect your title and your academic background), pastors are under major stress because of so many things they have to pay for in life? Are we talking house payment, car payment, clothes for family, food for the house, which cover a few of Maslow’s Basic Needs of Food, Clothing, and Shelter. So after that, the only SECULAR financial obligations are what I like to call BEING OVEREXTENDED with things the pastor or his family NEED or WANT.
What I trying to say or going with this is, if a Pastor is hired to a church, with FINANCIAL ISSUES, then that pastor is not a good steward of his own finances and shouldn’t be hired to lead anyone.
Next, wasn’t Jesus a carpenter, meaning he had a job that apparently he collect a wage for his work, but his teachings or spreading God’s word was a GIFT FROM GOD and that’s what God wants from all of us anyway, to be evangelists to the world and spread the Holy Gospel……not every asking for money.
Also, wasn’t Jesus ALWAYS provided for when he went to towns such as Cornith and others? Didn’t folks wash his hands and feet, cloth him, feed him, give him a place to stay? NO MONEY NEEDED, RIGHT?
In other words, and I will use a televesion show as a secular example. Remember the wholesome show called “Little House on the Prairie”? Well, in those days, no basket, no offering, no salaries, nothing but the same way the Catholic Church does it in modern times…..a Home is provided for that pastor called a Rectory, transportation is provided by the church, food, a uniform or clothing. and a small STIPEND for things like maybe a Gym Memebership to workout the body or temple. For incidentals like toiletries or maybe to go out to see a movie or get burger once a month.
So, why not just do what the Catholic Church does in the Christian churches. The church does like the TV show above, put a house for the pastor and his family on the property next to the church. Give him a company car or like others alluded to a PACKAGE DEAL (Car, Clothing, Insurance, Medical, Dental, Food Stipend, etc…) and as far as the extra things for the Wife or kids, the wife could work, the kids can get their own job if 16 or older and if younger, then you basically tell your wife and kids NO to any secular WANTS they think they need that would put them in FINANCIAL TURMOIL….understand Doc?
Living as a pastor should be one of Lead By Example, with NO DEBT, no bad spending habits, and NO NO NO SALARY at all that would jepordize the family and have him get in debt based on secular society wants or needs. Maybe the Christian Church should rethink their Pastors should remain unmarried just like Paul did, to remain focus on spreading God’s word and not dividing time with a wife or kid, which takes time away from being a full-time pastor. The Catholic Church does it right with priests no salaries and not allowed to have wife or kids……plus they live on the property and are not bogged down by secular debt.
What say you Doc?
So, because the pastor is called to a church, the wife should then neglect her own children and familiy and enter the workplace? Meanwhile having to put her children in a public school where they are introduced to all types of materialism, not to mention pay for all those clothes and shoes and bag lunches and projects? I am so irritated with this reply. How dare you assume that a pastor should not get paid and force the wife to work, neglecting now their own family, which was his first calling? To demean the office of wife and mother by saying that the pastor’s job is so important that his own children should live 8 hours at a public institution and hers is so frivolous that she may go into the secular world and provide all the things her husband can’t because of the church not paying enough is truly absurd, unbiblical and as a woman I find it incredibly insulting. I hope you will rethink this response. I know this sounds harsh, and it is meant to. ‘Christian’ men need to stop ignoring the biblical mandate that God gave women of staying home and raising children. Let the reader understand: Ministry does not mean husband preaches and wife protects. Ministry does NOT mean husband serves others, wife makes the money and government instituions raise the children. IT is NOT the church’s job to make the pastor suffer for his decision to serve the Lord. I am thankful that my husband did not take this selfish view, and allows me to stay home. I would rather my children go without shoes than go without a mother.
@mss – this is why christian church pastors SHOULD NEVER GET MARRIED….your time divided with wife, kids, etc… and God is a Jealous God. You married this guy knowing what to expect.
LIVE BY SMALL MEANS….. Folks can live very comfortably without any 30K a year, if the church provided your husband with a home at the church. Your food was provided, your car, gas, lights, phone, etc… and then, your civilian job as a wife, could pay for the incidentals your kids all want, extra clothes, games, school stuff, etc…
The seminary and college costs…..churches should PAY ALL a pastors seminary costs FREE OF CHARGE, because he was called to do it and this way, once again, his room, board, tuition, etc…. ALL PAID FOR….just like if your husband got a FULL RIDE college scholarship for football or academics….they should do this for pastors….then, when he arrives at this first church for duty, NO DEBT and all is well.
But, good ol’ marriages to pastors get screwed up because of SECULAR SOCIETY, that’s why.
Remember, YOU LIVE IN THIS WORLD, BUT ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD.
First of all, we were married for 12 years before he was called to the ministry. Should we have divorced?
Second, no, we could not live on my salary alone. We do have a parsonage, but I have never heard of a church who would stock the kitchen. They reimburse his business mileage, but certainly do not give us a car. We have real life bills to pay, and we do, by necessity, live very simply. Your scenario of the church providing all of this is completely unrealistic.
Third, a pastor graduates from college and seminary BEFORE he/she gets a church, so all of that must be paid for. No church is bankrolling your theoretical “full ride.” Again, completely unrealistic.
Fourth, I resent the implication that our marriage somehow “screws up” my husband. I try to provide a refuge for him when he has to recover from people such as yourself.
Fifth, he is a professional, which extensive education and training, and deserves to be treated as such.
Agreed.
I appreciated this post, thank you. I also appreciated many of the comments as it gave perspective about how a pastor’s salary is viewed. When my husband went into the ministry, we sold our house to pay for seminary, then he was called to a PCA church that pays him 32,000, but it will drop to 24,000 in a few months. We have 7 children. Since this is a small town, there is not another job he can get, as our cars are old and we really can’t take the chance on driving into town every few days for a job that pays minimum wage (if our car were to break down, we could not afford another. I stay at home and homeschool our children) . So, for us at least, 32,000 it is. Our church is doing the best they can to afford to pay us, and we love them. However, at some point we may have to leave for financial reasons, as the children are getting older. Because they are homeschooled, one pair of shoes is all they really need, and they are not consumed with a materialistic mindset, so God is providing well for them and protecting their hearts from envy.
That is our experience.
I do struggle over money, and would like it a little easier, but in America, you don’t often get the chance to suffer for Christ. Perhaps only having one pair of shoes for the children and eating beans and rice 5 times a week is our suffering… not too bad compared with what other people are called to do for Christ. Sadly as a sinful person, I do not always have that mindset. Again, thank you for your post.
Hi Courntey,
thanks for the reply… it does sound like a challenge to be in your position (understatement). I’ve prayed that our Father will continue to bless and provide for you – and that you and your family experience his love and fulfilment.
Hello all enquiring minds.
An interesting read.
I am the son and grandson of pastors.
My Grandfather never asked for a salary, pastored a small church of around 60 people, and insisted that any offerings beyond basic building upkeep went to supporting foreign missions. He of course worked full time to support his family (and contribute his tithe)
My Father was salaried at various percentages of full time – for the final few years full time, and I saw the benefits that a full time focus to the ministry could bring (including the clothes that I wore and food that I ate).
I’ve been part of the (unpaid) “eldership” of several churches, and I’ve been a part of the salary setting process. This has never been a particularly easy process, and although we’ve been generous (to the best of our ability, including exercising faith to see God fill the gap), I’ve never personally felt comfortable when salary occupies a significant proportion of church income, as little is left over to bless the community, and much focus is given towards raising money (as a consequence of the salary burden)
Right now – and for the last few years I have been an unpaid “pastor” – of a church of around 80 people. I don’t really consider myself a pastor, but I co-ordinate, lead, and have financial oversight of a group of believers, and seek to discern God’s will for my life – and as other sheep walk that path with me, I share with them what God is doing in my heart – and they share there hearts as well.
I also work full time in a challenging, and financially rewarding engineering management role – and God has blessed that work over the past 3 years.
I don’t consider the two roles particularly separate. I do take care to not let my church role impact my ability to deliver value for money to my employer.
I do very much enjoy the freedom that comes with being unpaid.
No-one asks me to justify what I’m doing, what vacation I’m taking, or what I or my family spend our money on. (yes as a PK I know that people ask these questions!)
I value the lack of need to compete for church members.
We don’t mind if people walk with us, and we bless them when they choose to fellowship with others.
It’s easier to value the poor members if we are not mentally assessing their tithing capacity (I know I’ve done this in the past! – forgive me Father).
There is much less stress involved for me personally (spiritually) as my sense of self-worth is not wrapped up in my ability to “manage” and grow a group of believers. If the sheep find better pastures elsewhere then maybe I’ve done the job that the great shepherd has called me to. I can then enter into his rest as well!
I not sure why I’ve typed all this, other than to re-iterate that I’ve seen all sides of the “coin”. Godliness with contentment is great gain. There is no one right way to finance church leadership. Just remember that the church belongs to Jesus (he said that he will build it) and that he is the great shepherd which we serve. We MUST not lord over the sheep – but serve them diligently, humbly and as brothers and sisters in the faith.
I pray that each of you will receive your reward, and prosper in the will of Christ, and that wherever you are, the Kingdom of God advances.