I’ve been promoting a post on Facebook lately that has received a number of snarky comments from the general public about so-called “rich pastors.” Yes, there are some prominent wealthy pastors in the U.S. But they comprise a very small fraction of ministers. Considering their educational level, experience, responsibilities, and the hours they work, pastors are at the very bottom of all professional pay scales.
Having served as a pastor myself for twenty years, I have a few suggestions for my readers on how you can help your pastor navigate this touchy subject in your church.
- Obey scripture when it comes to your pastor’s salary. Did you know that the Bible teaches that pastors are to be paid well? Consider this passage: “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’”1 The Greek word translated “honor” here is timao, and it can also mean, “pay, salary.” In other words, we are to honor those who teach the word (i.e., your pastor) by paying them well. Not to do so would be like muzzling an ox while he is threshing (making it difficult to work due to hunger) or withholding the wages every workman deserves.
- Don’t wait for your pastor to ask for a raise. Are you a board member of your church? If so, then consider becoming an advocate for your pastor. Each year, go to your pastor and ask him what he thinks about his compensation and then bring the subject up to your board. Just knowing that someone on the board is taking the initiative on this matter will be an immense encouragement to your pastor.
- Understand your pastor’s value to your church. Your church’s greatest asset isn’t your buildings. It’s your pastor (and pastoral staff). Care for them well and your church will prosper.
- Utilize standard and well-researched pay scales for pastoral staff. Don’t “guess” at what your pastor should be paid. Research the subject by using published resources. One that I like is Church Law and Tax Report’s annual Compensation Handbook.
- Have a goal and step out on faith. Is your church small and not well-funded? If so, then distinguish between what you can pay your pastor and what you should be paying your pastor (by researching this topic as I described above). Then explain this to your congregation and make paying your pastor what he deserves a church-wide goal and trust God to reach it. I guarantee that any bi-vocational pastor who sees a church doing this will be filled with love, gratitude, and commitment to you.
- Understand that pastors have truncated and interrupted vacation schedules. The cheapest benefit any church can give a pastor is vacation time. All the church has to do is pay a substitute to fill the pulpit when their pastor is gone. But sadly, many churches skimp on this. One reason is because they are unaware about a few things regarding pastors and time off. First, pastors never get three day weekends. The reason is because the middle day is a Sunday, when they are working. (Yes, Sundays are work days for pastors.) Second, pastors never get “bookend weekends” when they take a week off. One week of vacation for most people is nine days: five work days and the weekends before and after. But for pastors, a week of vacation is seven days: five weekdays off and the weekend before or after. Third, a pastor’s vacation is often interrupted by emergencies. There is never really a time when a pastor is not on call. Twice as a pastor I had to leave my family while on vacation and fly home early to address an emergency. Of course, pastors accept these realities graciously. But it’s nice when the church understands the situation by giving him additional time off to compensate.
I can’t think of a single pastor I have come in contact with who wasn’t deeply concerned for his congregation. Just knowing that his congregation cares for him back by supporting him well financially will be a source of encouragement and blessing for him…and for you.
This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.
A Simple Ministry Concept with Profound Implications
Teams of four men serving widows, single moms, fatherless children and others with long-term pressing needs in their churches and communities.
