How are/should preachers be paid

[Bella1]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Awesome! Aren't you at POK? Pretty far but maybe not too far to visit occasionally

I do go to The POK. I admire a leadership staff that tells you that they are debt free. Sacrificial giving is something that I participate in also at the church at the beginning of each year. Last year was the first year that I participated in this. God has blessed me. I have not wanted for anything. My basic needs are being met. (I may not always have what I WANT but I always have what I NEED)

I truly believe that giving is just that. I give and I don't worry about what or how it is being used. And I DO understand the question that you asked in the origianal post. I just don't have the answers for the church I now attend.

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by Bella1

God has blessed me. I have not wanted for anything. My basic needs are being met. (I may not always have what I WANT but I always have what I NEED)

I truly believe that giving is just that. I give and I don't worry about what or how it is being used.

Pretty sure this is universal. Works great for preachers, too.

[HRea]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

So how does your pastor pay model work if you know, and what do you think about it.

Each situation is different - home missions vs. growing work vs. established large or small congregation - and each situation depends on the calling of the pastor.

If the pastor receives payment, my feeling is that it should follow a somewhat established biblical model. Not everyone needs or should know how much that pastor (or ministry, if more than one) is paid. But the pastor shouldn't set the amount either.

The biblical model of deacons should suffice in the oversight of the distribution of worldly possession that the church might have.

The deacons were selected by the people and were to possess certain character traits. The apostles would give themselves to the daily ministration of the word and prayer. The people had confidence in the deacons, and the apostles were unencumbered by the responsibility in this area and could pursue God's calling.

If the deacons aren't appointed by the people (without influence by the pastor), or if the pastor is determined to exert influence in this area, you're already outside any established. It's either God's way, or the "broad way".

[Sabby]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Elly, we all want job security but my hubby once heard an evangelist preach that if you don't have enough money to pay the rent...pay your tithes anyway.

Oh my.

If a bi-vocational preacher has had enough foresight to plan for his retirement he is wise.
The idea that you should "pay your tithes anyway" has impoverished the 99 and gifted the 1.

[Sabby]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

OK I take that back... although I think I'd have to draw a line at the pastor living above the highest paid person in the church... I am not saying that pastors are not deserving of a good income, benefits, security for their future... I think I just went too far down the yellow brick road in my frustration over the lack of (or complete absence of in our case) disclosure...

I guess that my frustration is that I want to go somewhere that things are just open without having to have what would be a super weird meeting with the pastor... Our Baptist church printed Monies collected, some info on expenditures (missions, special help to sister churches in distressed areas during disasters, etc.) and surplus/deficit right on the back of the weekly bulletin.Salaries, building maintenance were discussed at regular business meetings. I'd like to see something like that.

Wishing there was a LIKE button.

[Dordrecht]

Preachers, doing the job they are suppose to do, should be paid well.
Should they be paid above the average wage?
I think so! Taking care of a flock is an important job!

[ImThankful]

We have no board where I have attended for 25 yrs. There is no church board and no yrly statements or financial statements of any kind. To me thats very dangerous to a preacher making him look like he is hiding something even when he is not. He also receives 100% of the titbes.

[Dordrecht]

Originally Posted by ImThankful

We have no board where I have attended for 25 yrs. There is no church board and no yrly statements or financial statements of any kind. To me thats very dangerous to a preacher making him look like he is hiding something even when he is not. He also receives 100% of the titbes.

That's an unhealthy situation.