Should Pastors be “very comfortable financially” in relation to the people they serve?
Are Pastors Overpaid? Church leaders, love your pastors. Bless them. Pray for them. Treat their families with dignity and honor. And give them a raise! “How much of a raise?” you ask. The answer is “MORE!”
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1. Those who labor in the Word and doctrine are worthy of “double honor.” This bears some meditation. I do not think it means twice the average salary of my church people. It seems more to be a combination of respect for the responsibilties of the position and adequate financial support.
2. Even in times of limited income, our attitude as pastors can have a great impact upon our children and our church people. I have served where there were simply no additional resources one year. The church wanted to increase my salary (which was rather modest) but I said that it was not realistic to do so. Instead, thety gave me another week of vacation so my family and I could be refreshed. We still, these decades later, look back upon our ministry at that church with sweet memories.
3. If a church is generous with their pastor’s salary, that puts the pastor in a position of great spiritual responsibility to be a good steward. He should be a diligent and consistent example of giving and sharing. I also feel I need to spend my money in a way that meets our needs but is not extravagant, and shows appreciation for the goodness of the Lord in our lives.
4. Just as many corporations are now doing, and expecting employees to set back for retirement, so in most of our church fellowships there is no pension fund. A pastor’s salary may look larger than the average salary because he pays both parts (employer and employee) of Social Security and Medicare, and, and he needs to be a Proverbs 6 steward, setting back for the future.
5. We do an inadquate job in most pastoral education programs of helping our men understand finances, and in making Biblically intelligent long term plans.
2. Even in times of limited income, our attitude as pastors can have a great impact upon our children and our church people. I have served where there were simply no additional resources one year. The church wanted to increase my salary (which was rather modest) but I said that it was not realistic to do so. Instead, thety gave me another week of vacation so my family and I could be refreshed. We still, these decades later, look back upon our ministry at that church with sweet memories.
3. If a church is generous with their pastor’s salary, that puts the pastor in a position of great spiritual responsibility to be a good steward. He should be a diligent and consistent example of giving and sharing. I also feel I need to spend my money in a way that meets our needs but is not extravagant, and shows appreciation for the goodness of the Lord in our lives.
4. Just as many corporations are now doing, and expecting employees to set back for retirement, so in most of our church fellowships there is no pension fund. A pastor’s salary may look larger than the average salary because he pays both parts (employer and employee) of Social Security and Medicare, and, and he needs to be a Proverbs 6 steward, setting back for the future.
5. We do an inadquate job in most pastoral education programs of helping our men understand finances, and in making Biblically intelligent long term plans.
Dick Dayton
My thoughts on the article (not on the issue)
- The article appears to be written to board members who control (??? do they really) the pastor’s salary: “Several times I have gone to battle with members of Finance and Stewardship Committees over the issues of staff raises and compensation packages”
- I appreciate the author’s zeal and intent - to pay the pastor well as one sign of respect. I agree with this overriding princple
- What does this mean? “You can’t pay pastors enough!”. Is he saying (I think he is!) that you cannot overpay a Pastor?
- $ 60K per year is too much if the entire church budget is $ $ 60K
- Obviously church members need to be cognizant of their own responsibilities to provide for the church (either the tithing principle or grace giving!).
- $ 60K per year is too much if the entire church budget is $ $ 60K
- Same with this quote: ““How much of a raise?” you ask. The answer is “MORE!” “
- 3% … NO more.
- 7% raise … no More!
- I mean really there are limits! Why not a 120% raise?!
- 3% … NO more.
- Agree with this overriding principle: “We need to hold pastors in high esteem” (and the conclusion that the salary package should reflect this!)
- It’s not always (or only) the board that makes the salary determination. In some congrations there is actually a congregational meeting where it is voted upon
- In some churches (probabably of the large varity) where the church member is clueless about what the pastor makes.
“I want my pastors living comfortably so they don’t have to worry about some of life’s basic issues.”
I’m blessed with a wife who learned from her parents how to manage money. A recent article in USA Today noted that men and women in their twenty’s average $45,000 of debt which includes credit cards, cars, and student loans and mortgages. The same group is facing 12.4% unemployment which is well above the national average. The article went on to note that on a recent financial literacy exam the average score for high school seniors was under 50%.
I’m not so sure that the problem is with pay. Certainly there are examples of that. I think there is a corresponding problem with understanding how to manage money. Perhaps this should even be part of a man’s ordination to ministry. Certainly it speaks ill of someone in terms of managing the affairs of the church if he cannot manage his own affairs.
Moreover, there is something wrong with a pastor if he spends money on real non-necessities (as opposed to perceived “must haves”) and goes into debt in doing it. That smacks of covetousness.
Matt
I’m not so sure that the problem is with pay. Certainly there are examples of that. I think there is a corresponding problem with understanding how to manage money. Perhaps this should even be part of a man’s ordination to ministry. Certainly it speaks ill of someone in terms of managing the affairs of the church if he cannot manage his own affairs.
Moreover, there is something wrong with a pastor if he spends money on real non-necessities (as opposed to perceived “must haves”) and goes into debt in doing it. That smacks of covetousness.
Matt
“I want my pastors living comfortably so they don’t have to worry about some of life’s basic issues.”
Here’s a radical idea…how about not worrying about some of life’s basic issues whether you get paid alot or not! (Matt. 6:24-34)
Here’s a radical idea…how about not worrying about some of life’s basic issues whether you get paid alot or not! (Matt. 6:24-34)
John Uit de Flesch
[juitdeflesch] Here’s a radical idea…how about not worrying about some of life’s basic issues whether you get paid alot or not! (Matt. 6:24-34)It’s actually quite discouraging to leave the church as a pastor on a Sunday with no paycheck in hand (if that is supposed to be your payday).
If you haven’t tried it, you may not want to be quite so flippant…
Church Ministries Representative, serving in the Midwest, for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
While I am in sympathy with the gist of this article, I have my concerns too.
Some pastors are underpaid—maybe most of them. But let’s not kid ourselves: others are overpaid. Some work hard; others do not. Some earn their pay; others don’t.
Just a blanket statement to pay pastors more (how much? just pay them MORE!) seems unhelpful. Rather than make a statement like that, why not give some statistics and propose some realistic standards?
Also, in today’s economy, raises are not a given for anyone whether in the pews or pulpit.
Some pastors are underpaid—maybe most of them. But let’s not kid ourselves: others are overpaid. Some work hard; others do not. Some earn their pay; others don’t.
Just a blanket statement to pay pastors more (how much? just pay them MORE!) seems unhelpful. Rather than make a statement like that, why not give some statistics and propose some realistic standards?
Also, in today’s economy, raises are not a given for anyone whether in the pews or pulpit.
The article seemed to be a rational argument that was seeking to persuade others based solely on the author’s opinions. I would have liked to have seen an appeal to Scripture since this topic is addressed in Scripture. For that reason, I thought the article was lacking. However, I greatly appreciate the trajectory of the article. It is true that Scripture does not give us a formula for pastoral compensation, but it does give us direction.
Paul states that those that proclaim the Gospel should get their living by the Gospel (I Cor. 9:14). Does that mean part of their living or as small a part of their living as possible? Earlier Paul had asked “Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife (I Cor. 9:5). So there is an indication that the needs of his family should be provided for as well. This still doesn’t give us any indication of how well though.
Paul takes the topic up again with Timothy and speaks of the elders that rule well being worthy of double honor (I Tim. 5:17-18). Mr. Dayton addressed this above and said that he does not believe this means that he should be paid double that of his members. Should he? If you look at the word for honor, you have to say that the word can and often does refer to financial support. It also can refer to honor as we typically know it. The context is speaking of financial matters. However, if we want to say it is double pay, then double of what?? It just doesn’t say. What I have always sought to do with this passage when considering salaries for our pastors is to look at the trajectory of the passage. When I stand before God some day and give account for my part in determining my pastor’s salary, do I want to have erred on the low side or high side? I believe this passage would have us err on the high side if anything. What that number may be is a matter of much prayer.
Ricky
Paul states that those that proclaim the Gospel should get their living by the Gospel (I Cor. 9:14). Does that mean part of their living or as small a part of their living as possible? Earlier Paul had asked “Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife (I Cor. 9:5). So there is an indication that the needs of his family should be provided for as well. This still doesn’t give us any indication of how well though.
Paul takes the topic up again with Timothy and speaks of the elders that rule well being worthy of double honor (I Tim. 5:17-18). Mr. Dayton addressed this above and said that he does not believe this means that he should be paid double that of his members. Should he? If you look at the word for honor, you have to say that the word can and often does refer to financial support. It also can refer to honor as we typically know it. The context is speaking of financial matters. However, if we want to say it is double pay, then double of what?? It just doesn’t say. What I have always sought to do with this passage when considering salaries for our pastors is to look at the trajectory of the passage. When I stand before God some day and give account for my part in determining my pastor’s salary, do I want to have erred on the low side or high side? I believe this passage would have us err on the high side if anything. What that number may be is a matter of much prayer.
Ricky
[juitdeflesch] “I want my pastors living comfortably so they don’t have to worry about some of life’s basic issues.”Is the church exempt from your advice? Should the church step out on faith and adequately pay its pastor (since it is addressed in Scripture)? Does Scripture address where the money should come from to meet the pastor’s needs? And how much of the needs should be met according to Scripture?
Here’s a radical idea…how about not worrying about some of life’s basic issues whether you get paid alot or not! (Matt. 6:24-34)
Ricky
We, as pastors, do need to live my by faith. That being said, Ricky is right. I have been at the same church for 13 yrs. With all of my benefits, I am at about 35,000. That is all our church can do. The Lord has blessed me by allowing to have other employment outside of the church as well. Some pastors are probably overpaid. But the vast majority are in the same boat as me.
Roger Carlson, Pastor Berean Baptist Church
Paul takes the topic up again with Timothy and speaks of the elders that rule well being worthy of double honor (I Tim. 5:17-18). Mr. Dayton addressed this above and said that he does not believe this means that he should be paid double that of his members. Should he? If you look at the word for honor, you have to say that the word can and often does refer to financial support. It also can refer to honor as we typically know it. The context is speaking of financial matters. However, if we want to say it is double pay, then double of what?? It just doesn’t say. What I have always sought to do with this passage when considering salaries for our pastors is to look at the trajectory of the passage. When I stand before God some day and give account for my part in determining my pastor’s salary, do I want to have erred on the low side or high side? I believe this passage would have us err on the high side if anything. What that number may be is a matter of much prayer.What do you mean it doesn’t say what ‘double honor’ is???
Read the two preceding paragraphs. Elders should receive twice the honor of what godly widows receive. It’s kind of strange how I never hear Pastors talking about honoring widows financially!!
Read the two preceding paragraphs. Elders should receive twice the honor of what godly widows receive. It’s kind of strange how I never hear Pastors talking about honoring widows financially!!
[christian Verna]How much did the widows receive? That is why I say we don’t know what double honor is. BTW, I have heard pastors speak and act on honoring widows financially.
What do you mean it doesn’t say what ‘double honor’ is???
Read the two preceding paragraphs. Elders should receive twice the honor of what godly widows receive. It’s kind of strange how I never hear Pastors talking about honoring widows financially!!
Ricky
My prior posting refering to Matt. 6 was written from the pastor’s point of view. I was not being flippant, for I am a pastor of a church with very little money. Clearly, the church has responsibility to care for the pastor(s) and some shirk this—to their shame. My point was that God has promised to provide for my needs whether I am in a big or small church, rich or poor. The article was meant to sharpen the churches. My post was to sharpen the preachers. God has used Matt. 6 in my life this past year in amazing ways. We trust our God too little.
John Uit de Flesch
When I hear alot of pastors, not all, arguing this point it reminds me of the bereft in the knowledge of financial matters.
If you want to be paid the equivalent of the average salary in your congregation you need to have at least 10 families in your church tithing to cover just your base salary. To include benefits and other costs of the ministry you will need a congregation of at least 15-16 faithful tithing family units.
To want to receive “double honor”, or double the average salary, you will need to have at least 25-26 faithful tithing family units. Add another 5-6 if you want a part-time secretary. Another 8-10 if you want an assistant pastor.
If you want double honor and your church is small, then (a) grow your church, or (b) be content with what you have.
If you want to be paid the equivalent of the average salary in your congregation you need to have at least 10 families in your church tithing to cover just your base salary. To include benefits and other costs of the ministry you will need a congregation of at least 15-16 faithful tithing family units.
To want to receive “double honor”, or double the average salary, you will need to have at least 25-26 faithful tithing family units. Add another 5-6 if you want a part-time secretary. Another 8-10 if you want an assistant pastor.
If you want double honor and your church is small, then (a) grow your church, or (b) be content with what you have.
[Barry L.] If you want double honor and your church is small, then (a) grow your church….OK, will be sure to do that. It is, after all, my job, right? ;)
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