What is an acceptable salary for a Pastor?

[Sam]

Originally Posted by triumphant1

I think I am reading you right...you are saying that if the pastor has alternative income separate from his church, then his intake of his own personal talents and energy should be subject to the church board?

I totally disagree if that is what you are saying.

What the pastor makes on his own separate from his/her salary from the church could be of interest to the church if efforts earning the extra income detract from fulfilling pastoral duties and if the job description prohibits part time pastoring and part time income earning. I would think that would be between the pastor and the board/congregation.

[seguidordejesus]

Originally Posted by triumphant1

I think I am reading you right...you are saying that if the pastor has alternative income separate from his church, then his intake of his own personal talents and energy should be subject to the church board?

I totally disagree if that is what you are saying.

I agree with your disagreement

I think a pastor should make anywhere from 100%-200% of the median income in his metropolitan area. Perhaps the minimum could be 100% with an increase in pay as the membership increases, with a cap at 200%...hope that makes sense.

[anapko]

Originally Posted by Neckstadt

I say as high as $125,000.00 per year without the free homes, cars and planes.

If they write books or have other ventures they should be disclosed fully to the church board or supporting leadership.

There is too much wrong going on in churches today.

Because people do not think they have the right to know how or where the money given to the church is going.

If the pastor agrees to take a pastorate for an agreed salary, then that is disclosable to the congregation. If it is agreed, then even the congregation shouldn't make a fuss. However, if the pastor is making money on the side by books, speaking engagements, etc. not related or interferring with his church, then the church has no right to know what he is making outside of the church.

[Sam]

I know of a couple of instances where the church board stepped in to curtail spending and activities of the pastor and family.

The church purchased property to build a new church. There were two houses on the property and the pastor was to move into one of them. Repairs and upgrades were needed on the house and were to be paid for by the church But the board stepped in when the pastor's wife wanted gold fixtures in the bath room and she was told they were not reasonable. Also, there were some out buildings on the property and the pastor began to spend too much time with his chickens and not enough time visiting the sick, etc.

Again, if the church is paying the pastor they do have some say in how he/she spends time if it can affect job performance.

[anapko]

Originally Posted by Neckstadt

I say as high as $125,000.00 per year without the free homes, cars and planes.

If they write books or have other ventures they should be disclosed fully to the church board or supporting leadership.

There is too much wrong going on in churches today.

Because people do not think they have the right to know how or where the money given to the church is going.

And unless the church is adequately funded by the congregation, he should not receive a cell phone, a car and his mortgage payed for. Plus a big salary?! Come on, that's a cream job. That's one reason he's being paid a large salary. But in most UPC or Apostolic churches I know, the pastor receives all the tithes. Can't He Pay His Own Bills Out Of That Large Salary???!!!

[Sherri]

Our salaries are reported to the church as a lump sum (all staff together). We don't figure that anyone else would want their income published to the entire congregation, so we don't make our staff members subject to that. Our salaries are set by the Deacons and we are well taken care of.

We also have investments, but I don't think that's anyone's business really. It's something that I have done on the side. I give considerably back to the ministry, so no one has ever questioned what we make. They want their man of God blessed, because they believe that the blessing flows down from the top to the people!

[triumphant1]

To me I think it is unfair to think that the only person in the congregation that is condemned for prospering is the pastor.

Do some abuse the non-profit status...yes....but a huge majority don't! Why then come in here and make some proclamations about saints deserving to know every aspect of the pastors private financial affairs...even to the point of having to disclose and seek some sort of permission to increase the personal finances by using God given talents of writing and such.

And all this stuff about a pastor needing to be humble and poor is just wrong!! We pastors deserve to have nice things and send our kids to college without $80,000 worth of student loans too!!

And if I write a book...and it makes me a millionaire....it is non of my churches business what i do with MY MONEY!!!!! but you can bet your boots MY CHURCH will not have a mortgage....and it will have the nicest facilities in town....and a big playground....and a new children's wing....because I'd be paying MY TITHE to the GERNERAL FUND, BUILDING FUND, AND CHURCH PAYMENT FUND of OUR CHURCH!!!!!!

[LadyCoonskinner]

Originally Posted by triumphant1

To me I think it is unfair to think that the only person in the congregation that is condemned for prospering is the pastor.

Do some abuse the non-profit status...yes....but a huge majority don't! Why then come in here and make some proclamations about saints deserving to know every aspect of the pastors private financial affairs...even to the point of having to disclose and seek some sort of permission to increase the personal finances by using God given talents of writing and such.

And all this stuff about a pastor needing to be humble and poor is just wrong!! We pastors deserve to have nice things and send our kids to college without $80,000 worth of student loans too!!

And if I write a book...and it makes me a millionaire....it is non of my churches business what i do with MY MONEY!!!!! but you can bet your boots MY CHURCH will not have a mortgage....and it will have the nicest facilities in town....and a big playground....and a new children's wing....because I'd be paying MY TITHE to the GERNERAL FUND, BUILDING FUND, AND CHURCH PAYMENT FUND of OUR CHURCH!!!!!!

I actually think that this is the first time in history that this has happened, mark it down, T1, I'm in total agreement with you!!!!!!!

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by LadyCoonskinner

I actually think that this is the first time in history that this has happened, mark it down, T1, I'm in total agreement with you!!!!!!!

It's a NEW DAY on AFF!!!

[ChicagoPastor]

Ok, so here's another question....

what is acceptable pay for an Evagelist/Prophet/Teacher (traveling preacher)

I think #1 you need to pay all their expenses to get them to your church (airfare or gas, hotel, meals, ect)
I think whether an Evangelist preaches 1 time or 5 times, you need to pay him for the FULL week.
I know outside the Apostolic circle this might not be alot but I don't think we should pay an Evangelist less than $1000.00 .