Preacher Prostitutes

Carpenter · #1 03-13-2007, 04:58 PM

I was speaking to a friend of mine a while back and he was telling me that he could care less (honestly) what churches pay him to preach out and it is a nice benefit to have his travel expenses can be covered. I was kind of surprised, but then again, I didn't know the SOP for someone like him traveling the country.

In my former life, we used to pay physicians to to speak at our conferences for pharmaceutical companies and products. Many times these physicians would speak for competing drugs claiming each is the best since sliced bread. We used to call these doctors, pharma-prostitutes.

I am curious regarding the other threads Steadfast inspired if preachers have minimim requirements for compensation besides having their travel expenses covered. I am sure there is a measure of reasonability, we all have to raise our families and pay our bills, but it can get carried away, and shouldn't preachers have more of a conscience to follow the call of God regardless? I dunno.

I know of one particular evangelist/UPC author (for effect

) who does have a set charge for his religious and spiritual services and it is HUGE. I also know that his wife insists on a particular lifestyle.

I wonder, without casting disparities on anyone, what the fees for the Lee Stonekings, or the Mark Morgans churches/conferences, etc. have to pony up?

#2 03-13-2007, 05:00 PM

I have heard from pastor that most eveangelists that come our way, have a 'set amount' that they require, and must be agreed upon, BEFORE they will come preach. The standard amount about four years ago- the last time we discussed it with him- was between 750.00 and 1000.00 a week, plus motel and food.

Sister Alvear · #3 03-13-2007, 05:06 PM

We have never asked for anything but God has always met the need...

BoredOutOfMyMind · #4 03-13-2007, 05:15 PM

Carp, do you have any idea how much it costs to stay on the road as an evangelist these days? I know of a singing group who attended what would be considered as close to a Mega church as our ranks can get. Their offering was $50.

Rhymis · #5 03-13-2007, 05:19 PM

Poor preach = poor pay.

BoredOutOfMyMind · #6 03-13-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhymis

Poor preach = poor pay.

Some poor preaching is not worth paying to leave.

#7 03-13-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhymis

Poor preach = poor pay.

A lot of black churches take up the offering for the minister AFTER he has preached...

AND, after they have taken up two or three offerings for other things...

RevDWW · #8 03-13-2007, 05:26 PM

I have never asked for anything to preach for anyone. If I'm asked and it's at all possible I accept and never worry about an offering, but of course I have a full time job outside of ministry.

MissBrattified · #9 03-13-2007, 05:32 PM

I think that a man who works should eat.

Reasonable fees are expected, and...well...reasonable. Depending on where a man hails from, he will need airfare or enough money for gas and possibly a room to and from...plus food money to, from and while staying...if he has a family travelling with him, the expenses have just gone way, way up...

So...compensate a man for his expenses, and give him something to take home and pay bills with.

I can understand a man asking for a set price up front. I know what its like as a kid, travelling with my parents, to be put up in a roach-filled church parsonage and eat bologna all weekend. Not that there's anything wrong with bologna, and hey, if that's all you've got, be thankful. But there's something to be said for churches that meet the needs of the evangelist and his family, and make sure that he is not only compensated, but allowed to continue to make a living that way.

Churches who treat evangelists as if they are second rate citizens and feed them beans whilst they dine on steak ought to be ashamed of themselves. I'm glad our church treats visiting ministers with respect and great hospitality. Aren't we all to be hospitable?

That said...asking for obnoxious amounts of money just so a church can have the privilege of hearing your prestigious voice belt out the perfect sermon...well...a bit of ego could be in play there.

Newman · #10 03-13-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carpenter

I was speaking to a friend of mine a while back and he was telling me that he could care less (honestly) what churches pay him to preach out and it is a nice benefit to have his travel expenses can be covered. I was kind of surprised, but then again, I didn't know the SOP for someone like him traveling the country.

In my former life, we used to pay physicians to to speak at our conferences for pharmaceutical companies and products. Many times these physicians would speak for competing drugs claiming each is the best since sliced bread. We used to call these doctors, pharma-prostitutes.

I am curious regarding the other threads Steadfast inspired if preachers have minimim requirements for compensation besides having their travel expenses covered. I am sure there is a measure of reasonability, we all have to raise our families and pay our bills, but it can get carried away, and shouldn't preachers have more of a conscience to follow the call of God regardless? I dunno.

I know of one particular evangelist/UPC author (for effect

) who does have a set charge for his religious and spiritual services and it is HUGE. I also know that his wife insists on a particular lifestyle.

I wonder, without casting disparities on anyone, what the fees for the Lee Stonekings, or the Mark Morgans churches/conferences, etc. have to pony up?

Carpenter! Carpenter! Carpenter! Just when I thought thread titles couldn't get much more offensive!

The friend who could care less what he is paid...does he have another source of income? I have seen too many evangelists without funds to pay for health care or retirement. I think these are pretty basic needs.

And so what if a minister books one "big" fee a month or even several fees a month in the summer. What does that really leave him with at the end of a year's worth of living? Surely you recognize that a person who can command a large fee for preaching at a church or conference could make many times more in sales or public speaking outside the church, don't you?

Why would we expect an experienced evangelist who has paid much dues in his younger years; to live without provision in his old age or without decent health care today? What seems like large fees aren't so large when one looks at the big picture. IMO