There is a posting related to Youth Ministry salaries, but I would like to know what Sr. Minister compensation packages look like. Please include total compensation (salary + benefits), plus congregation size, number on staff, length in ministry, length at current church and level of education. Also, any comments about the cost of living where you are would be helpful. I realize that this is a personal area, so your responses are most appreciated.

-- Anonymous, October 14, 1999

Answers

I'd quote Scriptures to Nelta to show her that the Bible does speak a great deal about this....but....she has already demonstrated numerous times that she does not listen to anything anybody quotes to her.

*yawn*

-- Anonymous, February 29, 2000

Have you tried the National Association of Church Business Administrator's "National Church Staff Compensation Survey"? It gives you everything you want to know and a whole lot more. With complete Demographics. It's well worth the 90 bucks or so for just one years returns... that, at least, gives you a jumping off point for the next 5 years or so.

-- Anonymous, October 14, 1999

Sorry, I should've given you the number, too. 1-800-898-8085

-- Anonymous, October 14, 1999

First let me say that I moved to the area that I am preaching in because of the hugh growth. But the congregation was about to close the doors so we strated with 12 people with the youngest was 56 yrs old. We now have a youth group and many other wonderful ministies going on. But the salary has not changed much. Salary = $10,800 a year, benefits = 0, congregation size = 30, staff members = 1, length in the ministry = 13 years, length at this minsitry = 2 years 4 months, level of education = 4 year degree - B.S. Preaching/ Youth Ministry. The people in this congregation are very loving and wonderful but the stress of providing a home for my wife and two sons on this salary is hard. This has been good for me to type this out, since our families believe that you should always try for the bigger and high pay but that is not me.

-- Anonymous, October 28, 1999

If a church refuses to increase a Minister's pay, especially over a 12 yrs period- then they are not loving. If a church truly cared then they would make sure their staff including the Minister is well paid. If not then they are disobedient to the Lord's command of double honor. If we truly cared for one another and loved each other in the church- then it starts with the full time Minister. It is a shame for Christians to say that the preacher is a hired hand or slave of the board. The preacher is a leader of the flock- who usually is in hock due to large loans that are owed to Bible College Education that the church refuses to help pay. Even lawyers and doctors get their firms to pay their loans off.

Just venting.

-- Anonymous, November 02, 1999

there is a book out that has a list of every ministry position and packages. they are broken down according to size of church, budget and location. it is a wonderful book. the name is called THE 2000 COMPENSATION HANDBOOK FOR CHURCH STAFF. the isbn # is 1-880-564-40- 5. if there is a particular question or setting, email me and i will be happy to share with you what the book says. i believe the book is under $15. if you want to order it, here is some info

christian church resources- 704-841-8066

dean

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2000

Doesn't it seem to all of you that you are talking about something that has nothing to do with the Bible? You are talking business..not rightousness.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2000

Nelta,

Does the Bible NEVER talk about good stewardship? Or are you a talent buryer?

In Him,

-- Anonymous, February 29, 2000

Nate, what has what you said have to do with what I said?

-- Anonymous, February 29, 2000

Matthew 25:14-30

-- Anonymous, February 29, 2000

1 Timothy 5:17-18

"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."

-- Anonymous, February 29, 2000

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-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

IF and I do say IF people obeyed the word and tithed the 10% and even above, a Pastor wouldnt have to worry bout pay, true?

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

G. Scott

I have always felt the minister and his family should be paid according to the income of the persons in his congregation. If this means he needs to supplement his income or if he receives much more than that which would be sufficent, so be it. There are exceptions no doubt but I think this is a good rule of thumb.

Awayfrom

Could you help me find the new covenant teaching telling us to tithe?

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

Tithing? That was an OT land tax. That, along with firstfruit offerings, etc. can motivate us to be generous with our funds. The early church in Jeruslaem, went far beyond tithing to the church. Those Jewish believers probably paid 10% (or 20-30% depending onthe year) into the Jewish religious system, in addition to caring for one another financially.

The Bible does not teach us to pay tithes to pastors. If one literally wants to keep the Law, he'd have to go pay his tithes in the holy land every year, eating them up there, and give tithes to support Levites, widows, foreignors, etc. in Israel every three years.

Where does the Bible teach that we are to hire pastors? 'Pastors' in the Bible actually is translated shepherds elsewhere. Elders are told 'to pastor' the flock, though these instructions are obsurely translated as 'feed' or 'tend' in the KJV of Acts 20 adn I Peter 5.

I see a case for elders who rule well being worthy of double honor. Keep in mind that Paul waved his right for support as an apostle, working with his own hands to support himself and the weak. He encouraged the Ephesian elders to follow his example in this. (Acts 20.) After all, as he quoted Christ as saying 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders from within the churches they started. Titus was to appoint elders in every church, not hire someone who had no relationship with the people in that church and make him their leader.

I Peter 5:2 forbids elders from working for the sake of filthy lucre. We don't see elders leaving one chruch for a better dental health program at another church.

The Bible doesn't teach that 'pastors' or elders were to appoint one from among all their number to do all the teaching in church. Rather, church meetings were to involve the saints exhorting one another (Hebrews 10:24-25.) In Corinth 'every one of you' had a psalm, doctrine, tongue, interpretation, or revelation to share. Paul was in favor of this if all things were done unto edifying. He also wrote, 'ye may all prophesy one by one.'

It seems like, on a theoretical level, RM church leaders don't believe in professional clergy. Does theory every carry over into practice?

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001