The Dirty Truth About Honoraria
My suggestions:
- If a speaker has an expectation about a level of remuneration, express it in advance.
- Churches should budget for special speakers and not rely on special offerings.
Off topic a bit but related - whenever I have had to find a new church as a result of moving or the unfortunate event of having to leave a church to find another (only happened once) I always ask to see the budget and the first thing I want to know is if they take care of their pastors well enough.
I wonder if there is a correlation between churches that don’t compensate their pastors well and their honorarium’s.
I wonder if there is a correlation between churches that don’t compensate their pastors well and their honorarium’s.
I have preached in many churches, and, needless to say, I have seen both ends of the spectrum in my work for the various ministries I have been involved with. I have a couple reactions to this well-written article:
I think the writer may go overboard with the mentality he expresses here: “Rarely is he paid well for what is, in fact, overtime work–for audiences other than the one that pays his regular salary.”
While technically true, there is an honor to being called upon to speak at a church or an event, as there are a myriad of choices to fill such a role. Realistically, there is a very small group of speakers who are so on demand in the Christian world that they have a reasonable expectation of receiving regular invitations and being able to command appropriate remuneration for their work.
Thus, the fact that one’s expenses are covered, with even a little extra in payment, should sometimes be enough.
That being said, however, “The labourer is worthy of his reward” (1 Tim. 5:18).
It is amazing how long the general rule of $100 per sermon has endured. Twenty-five years ago $100 was something to put on your school bill; now it will buy gas for the preaching trip plus a great meal at Perkins on the way home.
As I said, I have seen both ends of the spectrum. I know of one large church that paid $300 per sermon for the honorarium. On the other hand, another very prominent conference that I know of paid world-renowned speakers a lump sum fee that barely covered travel expenses and hotel fees.
As an associate for IMI/SOS, when I go into a church to provide pulpit supply, I can tell them not to worry about giving me a check, as they will receive an invoice from the home office with suggested remuneration — very reasonable remuneration, I might add.
That is a help in many ways, but does not solve all the issues. A ministry to one church involved two long trips over two weekends — we even had to borrow a friend’s car to make one of the weekends work for my wife — and presenting three sermons over that time. The church responded to the ministry’s invoice for preaching and mileage with a gift that was miniscule.
Thankfully, God is keeping the final books! (Neh. 5:19)
I think the writer may go overboard with the mentality he expresses here: “Rarely is he paid well for what is, in fact, overtime work–for audiences other than the one that pays his regular salary.”
While technically true, there is an honor to being called upon to speak at a church or an event, as there are a myriad of choices to fill such a role. Realistically, there is a very small group of speakers who are so on demand in the Christian world that they have a reasonable expectation of receiving regular invitations and being able to command appropriate remuneration for their work.
Thus, the fact that one’s expenses are covered, with even a little extra in payment, should sometimes be enough.
That being said, however, “The labourer is worthy of his reward” (1 Tim. 5:18).
It is amazing how long the general rule of $100 per sermon has endured. Twenty-five years ago $100 was something to put on your school bill; now it will buy gas for the preaching trip plus a great meal at Perkins on the way home.
As I said, I have seen both ends of the spectrum. I know of one large church that paid $300 per sermon for the honorarium. On the other hand, another very prominent conference that I know of paid world-renowned speakers a lump sum fee that barely covered travel expenses and hotel fees.
As an associate for IMI/SOS, when I go into a church to provide pulpit supply, I can tell them not to worry about giving me a check, as they will receive an invoice from the home office with suggested remuneration — very reasonable remuneration, I might add.
That is a help in many ways, but does not solve all the issues. A ministry to one church involved two long trips over two weekends — we even had to borrow a friend’s car to make one of the weekends work for my wife — and presenting three sermons over that time. The church responded to the ministry’s invoice for preaching and mileage with a gift that was miniscule.
Thankfully, God is keeping the final books! (Neh. 5:19)
Church Ministries Representative, serving in the Midwest, for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
As one who gets regular opportunities to speak at various churches and events I find it easier to accept the invitation without expectation. If it is an invitation I would not accept for free, I simply don’t accept it. Getting expenses covered is always nice, and anything beyond is a bonus as far as I’m concerned. It is a great privilege to be entrusted with the opportunity to bring the Word and then make application to a church or group, the majority of whom likely don’t know me from Adam’s house cat. Hey, I’ll preach at the drop of a hat, and then drop the hat.
Lee
One of my college profs said, “If you want to keep the peace, never touch a man in his pocketbook.” Feelings are stirred up so quickly on the topic of money.
I like the article, I also like Lee’s take—both are right!
If you are a church, you should seriously consider the article. The laborer is worthy of his hire and this includes all his time and expenses.
If you are a speaker, do it as unto the Lord—don’t expect a certain amount for an honorarium, unless of course you are one of those few who make their sole income from being a guest speaker…then you do have literally “make a living.”
But, as in so many things, we tend to get our perspectives messed up. The church says, “You, speaker, should learn to trust the Lord.” Or the speaker says, “You, church, should do this for me.”
I’ve been on both sides…as a missionary visiting churches, camps, and colleges and as a pastor inviting guests speakers in. Believe me, it’s easy to get bitter if you latch on to the wrong perspective.
But how sweet it is when everyone gets it right. I remember going to a church in the panhandle of Maryland. This was the longest trip we had for our deputation time, and I knew that it was a small country church and that the majority of the members were “poor” farmers…why even the pastor had a trade on the side tosupplement his income. I knew this going in. Yet, this little church (less than a hundred members) gave me a check for travelling expenses as soon as we got there, then took up a love offering of almost $400. Then the pastor said, “This couple gave up an anniversary weekend together to be here (which was true), I think we ought to give them an anniversary gift” and took up another offering of around $150 and specified it just for us! What a blessing! These people had it right!
I determined then and there that I was going to teach any church that I founded to be just a generous. They were, praise the Lord, and God blessed them for that, too.
I like the article, I also like Lee’s take—both are right!
If you are a church, you should seriously consider the article. The laborer is worthy of his hire and this includes all his time and expenses.
If you are a speaker, do it as unto the Lord—don’t expect a certain amount for an honorarium, unless of course you are one of those few who make their sole income from being a guest speaker…then you do have literally “make a living.”
But, as in so many things, we tend to get our perspectives messed up. The church says, “You, speaker, should learn to trust the Lord.” Or the speaker says, “You, church, should do this for me.”
I’ve been on both sides…as a missionary visiting churches, camps, and colleges and as a pastor inviting guests speakers in. Believe me, it’s easy to get bitter if you latch on to the wrong perspective.
But how sweet it is when everyone gets it right. I remember going to a church in the panhandle of Maryland. This was the longest trip we had for our deputation time, and I knew that it was a small country church and that the majority of the members were “poor” farmers…why even the pastor had a trade on the side tosupplement his income. I knew this going in. Yet, this little church (less than a hundred members) gave me a check for travelling expenses as soon as we got there, then took up a love offering of almost $400. Then the pastor said, “This couple gave up an anniversary weekend together to be here (which was true), I think we ought to give them an anniversary gift” and took up another offering of around $150 and specified it just for us! What a blessing! These people had it right!
I determined then and there that I was going to teach any church that I founded to be just a generous. They were, praise the Lord, and God blessed them for that, too.
Shawn Haynie
I can understand a full-time evangelist needing honorariums and churches that invite them should pay them accordingly because that is there main source of provision. But should a pastor who is being paid by his own church expect the same and complains when he doesn’t? As pastors do you pay the laymen in your church for their work in the ministry?
What about the adult sunday school teachers? There is alot of prep time for that.
What about deacons with care groups? If done right takes quite a bit of time and cost.
What about mission and christian university boards? Travel and time is required.
What about the member who every time the air condition goes on the fritz?
Just asking.
Barry,
You bring up an interesting point. There certainly are some gray areas involved. Sometimes, for instance, it even seems that deacons work as hard and long in the ministry as a paid pastor does.
But does the fact that there are gray areas mean that NO ONE should be paid for their time and service? Not unless we want to become Plymouth Brethren.
Also, if I can say this without appearing to be a snob, I think there is a difference between a layman teaching a Sunday School class and inviting someone in to speak who has an advanced degree in theology or ministry. I don’t have to pay to chit-chat with my neighbor; I do have to pay to see a doctor or lawyer.
A couple observations along that line:
- I believe that the current economic climate has caused churches to become much more apt to have a layman fill in rather than calling someone who is more qualified, but who they would feel obliged to pay. The call for pulpit supply in my neck of the woods appears to be way down in recent months.
- It can be very frustrating to witness this — so if you are looking at pulpit supply as a means of ministry and income, be prepared for disappointment, at least for the time being.
You bring up an interesting point. There certainly are some gray areas involved. Sometimes, for instance, it even seems that deacons work as hard and long in the ministry as a paid pastor does.
But does the fact that there are gray areas mean that NO ONE should be paid for their time and service? Not unless we want to become Plymouth Brethren.
Also, if I can say this without appearing to be a snob, I think there is a difference between a layman teaching a Sunday School class and inviting someone in to speak who has an advanced degree in theology or ministry. I don’t have to pay to chit-chat with my neighbor; I do have to pay to see a doctor or lawyer.
A couple observations along that line:
- I believe that the current economic climate has caused churches to become much more apt to have a layman fill in rather than calling someone who is more qualified, but who they would feel obliged to pay. The call for pulpit supply in my neck of the woods appears to be way down in recent months.
- It can be very frustrating to witness this — so if you are looking at pulpit supply as a means of ministry and income, be prepared for disappointment, at least for the time being.
Church Ministries Representative, serving in the Midwest, for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
A leader of a ministry in Philadelphia that deals with sexual purity issues (homosexuality, porn, adultery, etc.) was invited to a very small church in New England to speak. The church expressed a strong desire and need for the ministry of the speaker they invited, but told him upfront their financial restraints. The speaker chose to go anyway. I share this anecdote because it might provide an honest way of having a guest speaker when a church genuinely cannot afford it-let the speaker know the financial restraints of the church before he comes.
I understand that full-time ministers are worthy of their hire and the church needs to meet this requirement, but I have two points:
1. There should be different expectations for different types of speakers when it comes to honorariums. There should be a higher expectation of honorarium for an evangelist than a pastor from another church. This is the evangelist’s sole source of income whereas a pastor from another church has his source from his own church already. Most likely the church that is being visited also has loaned out their own pastor to other churches as well.
2. Everyone, including full-time ministers, should have expectations of some voluntary ministry where there is not expectation of renumeration.
I was asked to speak at a youth conference at another church few years ago and after traveling at my own expense, taking a great deal of time to work on the topics assigned, I was not given anything at all. Certainly I’m doing this for the Lord. I believe that and I don’t have any hard feelings about it. However, I approached the youth pastor when he asked me to speak the following year. I told him that it was wrong to ask people to speak and then not pay them anything. That said, I returned again the following year. My church (much smaller in comparison to the host church) again picked up the tab. Again, I was not paid anything for the work or any reimbursement for my expenses. Again I approached the young man and mentioned that it was not proper to expect people to work for free. His response was something about my being a bit mercenary. I like this young man and have high hopes for his longevity in the pastorate. That said, his pastor should have been more responsible about teaching this principle to his youth pastor.
Our church plant tries to pay something to everyone who speaks plus some travel expenses. It is never a lot and less than they deserve. While I’m embarrassed to not be able to give more, I’ve found that many of these speakers are shocked to get anything. I guess they’ve had bad experiences too.
Matt
Our church plant tries to pay something to everyone who speaks plus some travel expenses. It is never a lot and less than they deserve. While I’m embarrassed to not be able to give more, I’ve found that many of these speakers are shocked to get anything. I guess they’ve had bad experiences too.
Matt
As a Pastor who has guest speakers, we pay and honoraium as well as give funds for travel. We also care for meals and housing while they are with us.
As Pastor who serves as a guest speaker from time to time, I just serve with a policy of not charging for ministry. If the people to whom I minister want to do something, great, if they can’t that is also fine. My help comes from the Lord which made heaven and earth.
When it comes to the realm of honoraria, here are my concerns:
A church should do what it can to bless a servant of the Lord. If a church can pay for man’s expenses and give a man some additional funds for his service, they are wrong if they refuse to do this.
It is more blessed to give than receive and there have been several occassions over the years where I have received an “honoraria” knowing it was coming from a ministry that needed those funds more than me. I just signed the check back over and walked away feeling really happy. There have been many occassions where going somewhere cost me a lot of money. Broke feels really good on those occassions when we understand what our Lord said about giving and receiving.
I am not impressed with money hungry moochers. Some of them live in some pretty nice homes and drive some pretty nice cars and live some really materialistic lives and justify pushing for their “honorarias” because the laborer is worthy of his hire. I just do not respect them. They will often say a thing or too during there time in your church that will make you want to empy out your wallets for them in the love offering but then when you see where they live and how they live, you realize we all got snookered.
As Pastor who serves as a guest speaker from time to time, I just serve with a policy of not charging for ministry. If the people to whom I minister want to do something, great, if they can’t that is also fine. My help comes from the Lord which made heaven and earth.
When it comes to the realm of honoraria, here are my concerns:
A church should do what it can to bless a servant of the Lord. If a church can pay for man’s expenses and give a man some additional funds for his service, they are wrong if they refuse to do this.
It is more blessed to give than receive and there have been several occassions over the years where I have received an “honoraria” knowing it was coming from a ministry that needed those funds more than me. I just signed the check back over and walked away feeling really happy. There have been many occassions where going somewhere cost me a lot of money. Broke feels really good on those occassions when we understand what our Lord said about giving and receiving.
I am not impressed with money hungry moochers. Some of them live in some pretty nice homes and drive some pretty nice cars and live some really materialistic lives and justify pushing for their “honorarias” because the laborer is worthy of his hire. I just do not respect them. They will often say a thing or too during there time in your church that will make you want to empy out your wallets for them in the love offering but then when you see where they live and how they live, you realize we all got snookered.
Matt and Joe,
Both of you exhibit wonderful Christian testimonies in posts #10 and 11. Biblically and spiritually, I can do nothing but commend you for your attitudes.
I am wondering, however, if the content of your anecdotes about churches not paying for pulpit supply does not say something about the status of the infrastructure of IFB-dom. After all, this would not work in the real world, would it? Wouldn’t it be kind of like eating at a sit-down restaurant, then getting up and leaving without paying the bill, and — when pressed — thinking that not having any money on you was an appropriate excuse for your actions?
The verse that always comes to mind on themes such as this is Luke 16:8. Frankly, this type of thing would not happen within the structures of something like the Lutheran denomination I grew up in, and I do not think the fact that we are talking about it is a very good sign regarding the status of fundamentalism.
Both of you exhibit wonderful Christian testimonies in posts #10 and 11. Biblically and spiritually, I can do nothing but commend you for your attitudes.
I am wondering, however, if the content of your anecdotes about churches not paying for pulpit supply does not say something about the status of the infrastructure of IFB-dom. After all, this would not work in the real world, would it? Wouldn’t it be kind of like eating at a sit-down restaurant, then getting up and leaving without paying the bill, and — when pressed — thinking that not having any money on you was an appropriate excuse for your actions?
The verse that always comes to mind on themes such as this is Luke 16:8. Frankly, this type of thing would not happen within the structures of something like the Lutheran denomination I grew up in, and I do not think the fact that we are talking about it is a very good sign regarding the status of fundamentalism.
Church Ministries Representative, serving in the Midwest, for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
This was a great subject and I’m enjoying the discussion already. As one who has received a handshake and a God-bless you on multiple occasions and also received very large honoraria on occasion, let me list a few miscellaneous thoughts (and then follow up with a bit of a curve ball.)
1. I never ask up front, as a matter of principle, whether I will be giving an honorarium or even have my travel covered. It is indeed a privilege to be invited to share God’s word.
2. I am always appreciative when the person inviting me tells me in advance that they are covering my travel or if they will not be able to do anything at all. I would never turn down the opportunity to preach, but it does help me plan my own finances if they aren’t able to help at all.
3. I do not feel bad about receiving an honorarium though I have generally been working full-time for a church as well. Receiving an honorarium has also been an opportunity for me to do one of several things: Sometimes I give it to the pastor as a personal love gift when I can see he is discouraged or hurting in some way. Sometimes I refuse it when I sense the church is struggling financially. Sometimes I use it to do something special with or for my family because dad has had to be away yet another evening — so a night out having some family fun is a great way of blessing them. Often I have set the honoraria aside for future needs — I have two daughters who were to be married, I have four children who needed to go to college, I like to do something special for my wife on our anniversary, etc… (If our budget was really tight, it was very nice to use this for future needs as it couldn’t come out of our regular income.) Finally and this has been tons of fun — I have been able to use those funds for helping national pastors in places like Cuba or Albania. It has been so much fun to be able to “bless” these faithful servants and it makes traveling during the week exciting as I realize that this allows me to get more involved in missions.
4. When receiving an honorarium for a church members’ wedding — it usually becomes my wedding gift to the couple and when receiving one for a funeral — it become a gift to the widow or other survivor. It is a way of expressing support and encouragement. (I don’t think that is or should be a requirement — it is just something that I’ve generally done and I’ve been blessed by it. Granted, I have been well-compensated as I’ve been in larger church settings and have outside income streams.)
5. I didn’t receive offerings to “cover the expenses of the meeting or to give a love offering”. (I’ve also known pastors to do that and then STILL stiff their guest speakers, btw.) I think that is undignified and embarrassing. I’m of the mindset that if you have to do that for me, please do nothing at all. Instead, we planned in advance, assigned budget funds and avoided pressure or awkward offering times.
That said, I think it is a bit presumptuous for one ministry to think that they shouldn’t honor a speaker that they invite to come to their ministry for a purpose during a time when they would normally not be out of their home simply because they get paid by the other place. In terms of the volunteers at my own ministry — for my entire ministry, I haven’t considered Sunday a “work day” for which I’m compensated — but my day for service as well, just like it is for all the other people in our churches that work 40 hours or more and then volunteer (though the prep for being the lead pastor is significantly greater). Thus, I don’t take a day off M-F either. Saturday is my day off just like it is for regular church members. Again — I don’t think everyone should do that. It’s just something I have chosen to do. Others on our staff haven’t or don’t. I don’t make a deal of it.
Now the curve ball — what about when we invite musical groups or “artists” in to minister? Some of the expectations that musicians have tried to demand (and successfully did so in my early years of ministry) were outrageous. Everything from having a certain brand of water at a certain temperature available for them, to specs on the hotel room, to HUGE minimum honorariums, to expectations for peddling their product, etc…. I eventually reached the conclusion that I would offer musicians not one cent more than I would a visiting guest who preached the Word. (Actually, it probably should have been a bit less.) We treated our guests fairly generously — usually $500 - $1,500 for an entire day of ministry plus travel, and if it was good enough for an “elder” handling the Word, I thought it sufficient for those who offered music. Of course, we suddenly had very few people coming to sing or play music available for our services — and that was perfectly fine for me. We would then have them come on a non-service night, charge tickets and it was a “night out” that involved Christian “entertainment”. I just struggle(d) with the idea that play for pay was actually ministry. I don’t mind “paying” for a performance. Ministry is something far more sacred than a pre-arranged financial deal. But again…that’s probably just me. I over think things too much.
Thought-provoking article and comments!
1. I never ask up front, as a matter of principle, whether I will be giving an honorarium or even have my travel covered. It is indeed a privilege to be invited to share God’s word.
2. I am always appreciative when the person inviting me tells me in advance that they are covering my travel or if they will not be able to do anything at all. I would never turn down the opportunity to preach, but it does help me plan my own finances if they aren’t able to help at all.
3. I do not feel bad about receiving an honorarium though I have generally been working full-time for a church as well. Receiving an honorarium has also been an opportunity for me to do one of several things: Sometimes I give it to the pastor as a personal love gift when I can see he is discouraged or hurting in some way. Sometimes I refuse it when I sense the church is struggling financially. Sometimes I use it to do something special with or for my family because dad has had to be away yet another evening — so a night out having some family fun is a great way of blessing them. Often I have set the honoraria aside for future needs — I have two daughters who were to be married, I have four children who needed to go to college, I like to do something special for my wife on our anniversary, etc… (If our budget was really tight, it was very nice to use this for future needs as it couldn’t come out of our regular income.) Finally and this has been tons of fun — I have been able to use those funds for helping national pastors in places like Cuba or Albania. It has been so much fun to be able to “bless” these faithful servants and it makes traveling during the week exciting as I realize that this allows me to get more involved in missions.
4. When receiving an honorarium for a church members’ wedding — it usually becomes my wedding gift to the couple and when receiving one for a funeral — it become a gift to the widow or other survivor. It is a way of expressing support and encouragement. (I don’t think that is or should be a requirement — it is just something that I’ve generally done and I’ve been blessed by it. Granted, I have been well-compensated as I’ve been in larger church settings and have outside income streams.)
5. I didn’t receive offerings to “cover the expenses of the meeting or to give a love offering”. (I’ve also known pastors to do that and then STILL stiff their guest speakers, btw.) I think that is undignified and embarrassing. I’m of the mindset that if you have to do that for me, please do nothing at all. Instead, we planned in advance, assigned budget funds and avoided pressure or awkward offering times.
That said, I think it is a bit presumptuous for one ministry to think that they shouldn’t honor a speaker that they invite to come to their ministry for a purpose during a time when they would normally not be out of their home simply because they get paid by the other place. In terms of the volunteers at my own ministry — for my entire ministry, I haven’t considered Sunday a “work day” for which I’m compensated — but my day for service as well, just like it is for all the other people in our churches that work 40 hours or more and then volunteer (though the prep for being the lead pastor is significantly greater). Thus, I don’t take a day off M-F either. Saturday is my day off just like it is for regular church members. Again — I don’t think everyone should do that. It’s just something I have chosen to do. Others on our staff haven’t or don’t. I don’t make a deal of it.
Now the curve ball — what about when we invite musical groups or “artists” in to minister? Some of the expectations that musicians have tried to demand (and successfully did so in my early years of ministry) were outrageous. Everything from having a certain brand of water at a certain temperature available for them, to specs on the hotel room, to HUGE minimum honorariums, to expectations for peddling their product, etc…. I eventually reached the conclusion that I would offer musicians not one cent more than I would a visiting guest who preached the Word. (Actually, it probably should have been a bit less.) We treated our guests fairly generously — usually $500 - $1,500 for an entire day of ministry plus travel, and if it was good enough for an “elder” handling the Word, I thought it sufficient for those who offered music. Of course, we suddenly had very few people coming to sing or play music available for our services — and that was perfectly fine for me. We would then have them come on a non-service night, charge tickets and it was a “night out” that involved Christian “entertainment”. I just struggle(d) with the idea that play for pay was actually ministry. I don’t mind “paying” for a performance. Ministry is something far more sacred than a pre-arranged financial deal. But again…that’s probably just me. I over think things too much.
Thought-provoking article and comments!
Dan Burrell Cornelius, NC Visit my Blog "Whirled Views" @ www.danburrell.com
As I write this, I am listening to http://www.daveramsey.com/home/ Dave Ramsey while I work (funny how that happens all the time) :D
That provokes me to respond to Dan in the last post —
You have lots of great ideas that I would LOVE to be able to do, Dan!! It would be fun to try to see if I could fill the calendar 52 weeks a year by advertising that I will come and preach and accept no payment for services. Almost sounds like a reality TV show!!
Thinking back to the ministry weekends I referenced at the end of post #3, however, had I known I was working for free, I could probably have used all that time and effort a bit more wisely in some other type of ministry. As it was, I am not sure that I really sacrificed to the Lord, because I did not go into it aware that I would be making a sacrifice — other than the sacrifice of doing the Lord’s work for payment that already is not going to make anyone rich. The choice was taken out of my hands, however; by definition, I gave an involuntary sacrifice.
Tying this back to Dave Ramsey, I am not so sure that was a good stewardship of my time, in addition to it not really being a freewill offering…
So I guess all that leads to these questions: Should all pulpit supply be undertaken on the assumption that pay is not expected? Is that a good use of one’s time, then, to engage in such a ministry? (Maybe I should just teach Sunday School to a more productive group in a local church and forget it.) Is it responsible of us to reward such behavior with continued enabling of it?
That provokes me to respond to Dan in the last post —
You have lots of great ideas that I would LOVE to be able to do, Dan!! It would be fun to try to see if I could fill the calendar 52 weeks a year by advertising that I will come and preach and accept no payment for services. Almost sounds like a reality TV show!!
Thinking back to the ministry weekends I referenced at the end of post #3, however, had I known I was working for free, I could probably have used all that time and effort a bit more wisely in some other type of ministry. As it was, I am not sure that I really sacrificed to the Lord, because I did not go into it aware that I would be making a sacrifice — other than the sacrifice of doing the Lord’s work for payment that already is not going to make anyone rich. The choice was taken out of my hands, however; by definition, I gave an involuntary sacrifice.
Tying this back to Dave Ramsey, I am not so sure that was a good stewardship of my time, in addition to it not really being a freewill offering…
So I guess all that leads to these questions: Should all pulpit supply be undertaken on the assumption that pay is not expected? Is that a good use of one’s time, then, to engage in such a ministry? (Maybe I should just teach Sunday School to a more productive group in a local church and forget it.) Is it responsible of us to reward such behavior with continued enabling of it?
Church Ministries Representative, serving in the Midwest, for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
[Jim Peet] My suggestions:
- If a speaker has an expectation about a level of remuneration, express it in advance.
- Churches should budget for special speakers and not rely on special offerings.
I agree that communication is the key. If you are asked to speak then ask for details and inform whomever you need to about your needs/expectations. If they cannot meet them then you know that is not for you. And maybe you don’t expect anything or you expect something but still, communicate. Obviously some compromise might be involved on your part but in the end you have to give the nod and accept the circumstances. Part of the problem is with the speaker themselves for not discovering or communicating, in fact I would say often it is their obligation to set the boundaries. I know of no one being forced to go to these places.
And if a church does want someone to speak they should conscientiously consider all facets of the person’s travel, expenses and the appropriate monetary response for their ministry and budget for it.
I do think there are way too many “conferences” and “seminars” with all of its groupies and Gurus which, itself, contributes to this problem (this is not saying all conferences are attended by groupies or lead by Gurus, just in case someone misunderstands the statement).
Discussion