Some opinions wanted

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by Sam

So, how should a pastor's salary be determined?
At a figure that equals the average salary of the membership?
Slightly higher than the largest salary in the congregation?
Two, three, or ten times the average salary of the membership?

Sam, do you want my honest opinion on that?

I realize that many teach that the Biblical mandate is for the pastor to receive ALL of the tithes. My experience tho is that in the smaller churches, where all of the tithe isn't even enough for the pastor to live on, the pastor usually takes NONE of the tithes. Instead he finds a job and pastors part time. That's not really best for anyone involved. But it does happen.

the only pastors I have ever known who took all of the tithe, pastored large churches. In those cases, those pastors could and did end up making alot of money. FORTUNATELY, in my experience, those are few and far between.

So how much should a pastor's salary be? I don't think there is any one right answer to that question. He definately should not be expected to live at poverty level. Definately NOT! Should he make double the amount of the average person in his congregation? In most cases, I'd say probably not. Only because that tends to breed resentment. That can't be healthy for the ministry of a church. But should he make less than the average family in his church? Certainly not.

We recently went thru a big mess here in our local Methodist Church. The congregation is not a huge congregation (60-100 people). And not well-to-do. I'd say the "average" salary would be in the $50,000 range. The church provides a nice parsonage. It's a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath brick ranch with a large family room, dining room, 2 car attached garage and sunroom on the back. Well, this new pastor came in and decided that it was too small. He insisted that the church should buy him a new home. He had it all picked out. $250,000!! Mind you, in our town, a very nice home goes for about $125,000. He wanted a 5 bedroom mega house! For him and his wife. All his kids are grown and gone. You should have heard the ruckus that caused!

So see, in my opinion, if you're in this to get rich, then you need to get out. That's not what God calls people for. He calls them so they can minister to the sheep. But if the sheep are looking at what the pastor is driving or living in or wearing or vacationing at, and it gets in the way of them hearing the voice of God from that pastor, then well.................. is that pleasing to God?

Again, PLEASE DON'T THINK THAT I AM SAYING THAT PASTORS NEED TO BE POOR PEOPLE!! Absolutely not! And shame on any congregation that would keep their pastor at poverty level!

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Margies3

...

Again, PLEASE DON'T THINK THAT I AM SAYING THAT PASTORS NEED TO BE POOR PEOPLE!! Absolutely not! And shame on any congregation that would keep their pastor at poverty level!

How about the Board Meeting where the deacon prayed,
"Lord, help us keep our pastor poor and humble.
We'll keep him poor, Lord.
You keep him humble."

[gloryseeker]

Originally Posted by Margies3

I realize that many teach that the Biblical mandate is for the pastor to receive ALL of the tithes. My experience tho is that in the smaller churches, where all of the tithe isn't even enough for the pastor to live on, the pastor usually takes NONE of the tithes. Instead he finds a job and pastors part time. That's not really best for anyone involved. But it does happen. [/quote[

You are right...it does happen and it is not the best for anyone involved. Most small churches never break out of being small churches. Part of the reason is in this area. They may even sing that old song about how we take one step and God takes two, but in practicality they never take the first step to trust God.

We are a small church...less than 50 members. Most of our people are retired and on what the world would call a "fixed income." However the Pastor is full time and we send about 17% of our gross in missions support.

If people would only understand that you really can't out give God.

the only pastors I have ever known who took all of the tithe, pastored large churches. In those cases, those pastors could and did end up making alot of money. FORTUNATELY, in my experience, those are few and far between.[/quote]

While I don't endorse this method I also don't oppose it. I definitely have no problem with a Pastor making A LOT of money as long as money don't control him.

[/quote]So how much should a pastor's salary be? I don't think there is any one right answer to that question. He definately should not be expected to live at poverty level. Definately NOT! Should he make double the amount of the average person in his congregation? In most cases, I'd say probably not. Only because that tends to breed resentment. That can't be healthy for the ministry of a church. But should he make less than the average family in his church? Certainly not.[/quote]

I agree that there is not any one right answer. Heard one person talk about the 12 Tribes and their inheritance. The Levi's didn't get an inheritance but received a 10th of the other 11 tribes. This would put them living slightly better than the average. Not a bad rationale.

The IRS has a publication of recommended salaries based on geographic area (I live in California so the salary would need to be much higher than someone living in Wy), gross income, and size of church. While I don't typically look to the government for help it is actually a very generous allocation and sets a good standard. Not to mentions keeps you from getting in trouble with the government.

So see, in my opinion, if you're in this to get rich, then you need to get out.

Well, yes and no.

If we are speaking about motive I absolutely agree with you, but the Word also says that God delights in the prosperity of His servants. Many block the blessings of God because of some false religious humility that if we are prospering we are obviously greedy.

I am a giver, but I am also a receiver. I have no problem "getting rich" because it enables me to fund the ministry.

That's not what God calls people for. He calls them so they can minister to the sheep. But if the sheep are looking at what the pastor is driving or living in or wearing or vacationing at, and it gets in the way of them hearing the voice of God from that pastor, then well.................. is that pleasing to God?

Key being "gets in the way"