Joblessness Hits the Pulpit
More Churches Lay Off Clergy as Donations Drop; Few Get Severance Benefits While the economy appears to be recovering from the worst downturn in generations, more clergy are facing unemployment as churches continue to struggle with drops in donations. In 2009, the government counted about 5,000 clergy looking for jobs, up from 3,000 in 2007 and 2,000 in 2005.
Things are changing in America. Our Country, along with the European nations, is teetering on the edge of steep cliff over which we could fall at any time. Our financial debts and other problems have placed is in a very dangerous situation. Our Country is no longer the center of gravity in missions according to a number of people who study the subject. I have read that Approximately 70 percent of churches have platued or are in a state of decline in our Nation.
So, when it comes to preparing for ministry, it would be wise, in these days, to develop some skill that could be used if you need to support yourself. I recently spoke with an administrator at a university/seminary and he told me that his school was already thinking this way.
When it comes to workers comp, it is important to know the laws. In New York State, ministers are exempt from worker’s comp. So even if the church is paying for workers comp on their minister, he will not be able to collect the funds. At least this is what the worker’s comp. Officials told me. It is very expensive here as well. We do have a part-time secretary and we are required by law to pay workers comp for her and we would gladly do this any way. I am not sure how it is in your states but here in New York, you are, the workers comp board will come and collect money from you even if a worker voluntarily leaves. This is money in addition to what you regularly pay out. It is good to be aware of the laws of your state in these matters. They do vary from state to state.
So, when it comes to preparing for ministry, it would be wise, in these days, to develop some skill that could be used if you need to support yourself. I recently spoke with an administrator at a university/seminary and he told me that his school was already thinking this way.
When it comes to workers comp, it is important to know the laws. In New York State, ministers are exempt from worker’s comp. So even if the church is paying for workers comp on their minister, he will not be able to collect the funds. At least this is what the worker’s comp. Officials told me. It is very expensive here as well. We do have a part-time secretary and we are required by law to pay workers comp for her and we would gladly do this any way. I am not sure how it is in your states but here in New York, you are, the workers comp board will come and collect money from you even if a worker voluntarily leaves. This is money in addition to what you regularly pay out. It is good to be aware of the laws of your state in these matters. They do vary from state to state.
The light shines brightest in the dark.
I say that because I just resigned from my bivocational church for a multitude of reasons; the church is very, very small (less than 10). We will be in contact with an agency very soon that will hopefully come back into the community and re-plant a new church within a few years.
I’ve told the church that this could potentially be the very best thing that could happen - get a new missionary in there who is funded through his agency and other gospel preaching churches, and let him focus full time on evangelism, discipleship, and community outreach. My town is very, very cold and hard spiritually (I think it’s 85% traditional Catholic - the church in town runs 3 services, all of which are supposedly full - I’ve never checked ;) ). So while it’s hard to give up on that, the mustard seed has to die for a new tree to grow.
So I’m excited about that, but I do agree with Joe that Pastors need to have some kind of marketable job skill, which I’ve argued several times on this site.
I say that because I just resigned from my bivocational church for a multitude of reasons; the church is very, very small (less than 10). We will be in contact with an agency very soon that will hopefully come back into the community and re-plant a new church within a few years.
I’ve told the church that this could potentially be the very best thing that could happen - get a new missionary in there who is funded through his agency and other gospel preaching churches, and let him focus full time on evangelism, discipleship, and community outreach. My town is very, very cold and hard spiritually (I think it’s 85% traditional Catholic - the church in town runs 3 services, all of which are supposedly full - I’ve never checked ;) ). So while it’s hard to give up on that, the mustard seed has to die for a new tree to grow.
So I’m excited about that, but I do agree with Joe that Pastors need to have some kind of marketable job skill, which I’ve argued several times on this site.
"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells
I’ve been in the process of seeking a place of ministry and have had to face the fact that it is practically impossible for small churches (less than 100) to support a full-time pastor. Even if the church provides housing, the cost of health insurance outside of a group plan adds to the financial burden. HSA’s are a help but will probably be taxable in the near future.
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
I never intentionally set out to get a second career going but during seminary it sort of happened anyway. Had to be funded somehow. This is probably when alot of guys get a good opportunity to get into something and work their way up while paying tuition. At the time, I would have given anything to just focus on school and ministry though!
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
I just can’t resist the opportunity to point out that parents should be directing their sons and daughters to develop skills that are useful and marketable. We need to stop leaving it to schools, seminaries, and even to our kids to fully educate them or help them ‘find themselves’. Parents are a child’s first and most important guide and counselor- it would greatly help the next generation of pastors and church leadership if they weren’t sitting around in seminary wondering how they were going to support themselves and their families, but already had some direction and training that has developed their talents and abilities in a way that would enable them to provide for their own regardless of where their ministry leads them. We can bemoan the state of things all we want, but I think it’s time to learn from the situation and start working from the foundation up to rebuild/reinforce the generations coming up.
That was a short ride, but it’s one of my favorite horses. :)
That was a short ride, but it’s one of my favorite horses. :)
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