How are/should preachers be paid

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by houston

Preachers should starve! And BEG for scraps! How arrogant of preachers who sacrifice their lives, money, and time with their families to expect those that they serve to put a few coins in the offering basket!

I certainly do not believe this (I think/hope you mean this TIC).

Those who labor in the gospel should eat of the same - no different than other professions.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I certainly do not believe this (I think/hope you mean this TIC).

Those who labor in the gospel should eat of the same - no different than other professions.

No one evah knows when I'm jk.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Our pastor's salary and other compensation is an open part of the regular business meeting, and I always think it is painfully small. I cringe when the number is read. Also, anyone who wants to know can go to the church office and ask.

I think it should be open if someone requests, whether it is read aloud or not.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I also do not agree that the pastor's salary should be limited to the median income of the members. Again, it depends on whether someone is worthy of the honor or not.

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.

[MissBrattified]

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.

It's only going to be a weird meeting if the pastor isn't used to being transparent and open, which will be your red flag. Also, I'm talking about a general inquiry into the workings, leadership model, guidelines and doctrine of the church, which would include inquiring about how finances are handled. It would be odd to call up a pastor and ask to meet *just* to discuss finances. I can imagine that would put some on the defensive; they might think you're undercover for the IRS or something.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Also, anyone who wants to know can go to the church office and ask.

When the pastor we attended church asked was asked what the amount of his salary was, he replied to the church that it was none of their business.


This caused a church split because, I suspect, of his arrogance.

[Bella1]

Church I went to "before". Due to some ongoing issue with money and leadership, I asked to see the books. I was told NO. (I paid my OWN tithing because I did not pay tithes as my husband thought I should. I paid on the gross, he paid on the net)
I went to my husband and asked him to go and ask to see the books. Again, the answer was NO. We ended up leaving that church due to other issues 5 years ago.

The Church I go to now. I pay my tithes and offerings. I don't care what they do with it. Our church is debt free. Everything is paid for in cash. That is what I have been told over the pulpit, so I believe it. I walk in and don't worry or even think about what the minister gets paid. I don't care. They have an older home. They have driven their vehicles until they are almost clunkers. And again, they believe in paying cash for their big purchases. (that is what I have been told, therefore I believe the statement)
The pastor does NOT live above his sheep nor does he live outside of the area he pastors.

I do not know that the other ministers on staff get. As far as I can tell, each of those men have full time jobs. As do their wives.

I have not felt the need to find out what the Leadership in our church make. As long as I feel safe, feed and that the church is in a mode of growth, I will never feel the need.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Bella1

Church I went to "before". Due to some ongoing issue with money and leadership, I asked to see the books. I was told NO. (I paid my OWN tithing because I did not pay tithes as my husband thought I should. I paid on the gross, he paid on the net)
I went to my husband and asked him to go and ask to see the books. Again, the answer was NO. We ended up leaving that church due to other issues 5 years ago.

The Church I go to now. I pay my tithes and offerings. I don't care what they do with it. Our church is debt free. Everything is paid for in cash. That is what I have been told over the pulpit, so I believe it. I walk in and don't worry or even think about what the minister gets paid. I don't care. They have an older home. They have driven their vehicles until they are almost clunkers. And again, they believe in paying cash for their big purchases. (that is what I have been told, therefore I believe the statement)
The pastor does NOT live above his sheep nor does he live outside of the area he pastors.

I do not know that the other ministers on staff get. As far as I can tell, each of those men have full time jobs. As do their wives.

I have not felt the need to find out what the Leadership in our church make. As long as I feel safe, feed and that the church is in a mode of growth, I will never feel the need.

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

[houston]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

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

You can pay for my lunch.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by houston

You can pay for my lunch.

Happy to! Ephesus Mediterranean Grill has great food and is out that way.