7 Concerning Findings About Benefits for Pastors and Church Staff
1. Fewer than half of solo pastors receive any health insurance … 2. Almost three-fourths of full-time worship/music leaders receive health insurance… 3. Many full-time church staff receive no retirement benefits…. 5. Only six in ten full-time pastors and staff get any type of automobile reimbursement…. CPost
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Ron’s comment reminds me of something my spiritual grandfather noted about house churches in many parts of the world; theoretically ten tithing families can support a pastor at their average standard of living. I know for a fact that I could host a house church of that size in my living room—it would be snug, but it would be doable. Church growth would give overflow into the dining room.
I don’t think that a pastor ought to be a lover of money—someone living in million dollar homes in gated communities and such—but the attitude Ron comments on is a disgrace in our circles.
Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.
Before ACA, Medishare and “plans” like this were not considered insurance. What that meant was that if you tried to get back onto an actual insurance plan after being on Medishare, they would exclude preexisting conditions for 12 months (after ACA, insurance plans cannot exclude preexisting conditions). Since it was not considered insurance then, I would assume that it is still not considered insurance. Is that correct? If so, is it correct to assume you have to pay a penalty when you file your taxes because you are not covered under an insurance plan?
Concerning compensation, it is difficult to go to Scripture and justify paying as little as possible. The priests are certainly not the same as pastors, but God looked to provide for their every need very well. In the New Testament (I Cor. 9), Paul stated that those that gave the Gospel have the right to compensation for their work. He also reserved the right to refuse it (note that the right to refuse to pay was not given to those living under the ministry of him). In I Timothy 5, Paul further defends the right for compensation. When he says “double honor”, it can get a little controversial. Honor can certainly mean honor like we use it today but the word could also be interpreted to be financial….the context would support that. Does that mean double pay? If so, double of what? I don’t know if it does or not, but my philosophy has always been that I’d rather stand before God having advocated to overpay the pastor rather than advocating to underpay him!! Some think that cause the pastor to be doing what he does for gain….well if you can’t trust your pastor to handle his finances in a manner that is full of Godly stewardship, why is he your pastor? I understand that there are some churches so small that it is difficult to support a pastor but Bert brought up a very important point concerning small churches and families that tithe. God’s order and plan is good. If people give as they should then the vast majority of pastors would not have the financial worries that they have.
[RickyHorton]My wife and I participate in a sharing plan with Christian Healthcare Ministries. It is not considered insurance, but it is exempt from the Obamacare tax penalty. I don’t know if they is true for all of them, but it is for ours.Before ACA, Medishare and “plans” like this were not considered insurance. What that meant was that if you tried to get back onto an actual insurance plan after being on Medishare, they would exclude preexisting conditions for 12 months (after ACA, insurance plans cannot exclude preexisting conditions). Since it was not considered insurance then, I would assume that it is still not considered insurance. Is that correct? If so, is it correct to assume you have to pay a penalty when you file your taxes because you are not covered under an insurance plan?
Concerning compensation, it is difficult to go to Scripture and justify paying as little as possible. The priests are certainly not the same as pastors, but God looked to provide for their every need very well. In the New Testament (I Cor. 9), Paul stated that those that gave the Gospel have the right to compensation for their work. He also reserved the right to refuse it (note that the right to refuse to pay was not given to those living under the ministry of him). In I Timothy 5, Paul further defends the right for compensation. When he says “double honor”, it can get a little controversial. Honor can certainly mean honor like we use it today but the word could also be interpreted to be financial….the context would support that. Does that mean double pay? If so, double of what? I don’t know if it does or not, but my philosophy has always been that I’d rather stand before God having advocated to overpay the pastor rather than advocating to underpay him!! Some think that cause the pastor to be doing what he does for gain….well if you can’t trust your pastor to handle his finances in a manner that is full of Godly stewardship, why is he your pastor? I understand that there are some churches so small that it is difficult to support a pastor but Bert brought up a very important point concerning small churches and families that tithe. God’s order and plan is good. If people give as they should then the vast majority of pastors would not have the financial worries that they have.
Discussion