Pastor Or Reverend???

[pastor_chris]

Ok Rick Fair enough:

Is the compensation relative? Meaning, whether you are a Pastor in a lower class neighborhood, middle class neighborhood or upper class neighborhood? Since the duties are the same, is the compensation the same?

The answer is yes it is relative to the economic realities of your area. But in some denominations it is the same for everyone.

What are the parameters for figuring out what a Pastor should be paid?
Is it results or just willingness to serve or both? Do number and level of degrees play a part in the determination of salary? Is there an entry level salary and what would be a top tier salary?

Education, experience and the means of the congregation are the main factors. I have never met anyone that makes more than 100K and that would be a "megachurch pastor" someone like Rick Warren.

What would the results be that your salary is measured by? Who does the "measuring". What are the parameters for measurement? Church growth in quantity, quality, both or what?

A committee takes all factors into considerations and the church body makes the decision based upon reccomendations. The pastor usually has little input.

By the way, how do you measure quality of Church growth?

In some churches this is a real problem and there is no standard. In my church we are developing a standard based upon scripture not necessarily on numbers. Good question.

Since you are being paid, do you get an annual review by the people that pay your salary?

No not really. Not unless I ask for it. In addition it would be a waste of my time because my church can barley afford my salary as it it.

If God calls you, for what reason(s) can the church fire you?

Sexual immorality, ethical misconduct, or if I just make everyone mad then they could remove me But usually it would be some sort of moral failure.

Do you serve at the pleasure of men or God? If God, then they cannot boot you, right?

I serve at God's pleasure but being in a congregational church they can indeed fire me. That doesnt mean my call is necessarily revoked it just would mean that body didnt want my call exercised in their local church.

If they want to fire you and you did nothing wrong, are they in sin?

Yes

What should the annual "cost of living" raise be?

it is different everywhere. If the church cannot afford a salary or an increase then it should be adjusted to what is fair and reasonable for both parties.

If the church has a down year (economic downturn) and the tithes are low, where do you make the cuts.

Everywhere we can, if that means the ministers salary is on the block so be it. His salary is not more important than the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Every minister I know is willing to work bivocationally if need be. We work for Jesus not to get rich.

How much of the money goes back into the Saints lives? Give me a percentage of total take on a Sunday. Or do you deal with the budget at all?

I am very involved in the budget and every church is different. In some churches 90% goes to the saints and the community in others it is only 50%. It just depends on the financial ability of the church. In addition every bit of a pastors salary is an investment in the body because he is devoting himself to prayer and teaching the saints, equipping them for every good work according to Ephesians 4

- Do you actively look to see whose lives you can improve with say an upgrade to a better apartment in a better part of town? Do you actively inquire who the poor people in your church are that need home repairs or medical checkups or anything else but cannot afford them? Are you the kind of Shepherd that know the condition of ALL of your Sheep?

This question is good but may be a little unfair. First we dont ever look to upgrade anyone living arrangements. You need to understand that most of our community is mobile homes, most are poor and there is little ability to move "upward" economically. I live in a parsonage that is about 1200 square feet and I have five kids. So no one is really living in luxury here. People that need food, gas, help are often provided for through the benevolence ministry of the church. Sometimes I fund that ministry out of my own pocket. This is what a good shepherd does when he can. I do my best.Most out here have state health care if they are poor so thats not a problem. And yes I know the condition of my flock as best I can.

- Do you or someone else actively look to see who you can help get a better job by putting the money that is tithed to work in their lives for say a trade school?

This is impossible. We can hardly pay our bills.

- When you are invited over to certain people's houses in the church for a barbecue or lunch or dinner, do you ever see the poorest of your congregation at these invites?

I am rarely invited to dinner at anyones house but when I have been the answer is yes.

- Do you notice whether the richest in the congregation seem to pay you a lot of attention and do you feel like they want more attention from you than others want? Do they seem to you like they are entitled to more attention from you?

the answer is no, in fact our biggest giver is the most humble non suuming man I have ever met, a real blessing

- In what kinds of ways are you or someone else on staff sowing the Saints money back into their lives or is it all going for staff salary and the building, parking lot and programs?

Thats a loaded question. And unfair. I wont even answer it. You assume that the things above are not things that benefit the saints so thet questions is based upon a faulty premise. You did well until here.

- How many people are in your congregation and what is the weekly total tithe?

50-60 people and I cant share the tithe number with you, sorry.

- Do you know anything about church finances or is that area relegated to other men to keep you from conflict of interest. Ideally, you should know nothing about the money that comes in and where it goes, who gives or who doesn't.

I know little about where the money comes from, but some men in our church have big mouths and have told me things I did not care to know. They have been rebuked but its too late. It doesnt matter to me though. Our decisions are not based upon who the givers are and what they want. That is why we just lost three tithers because I am not going to try and appease them when they are in the wrong. We will follow God, not the dollar. If I have to get a second job so be it.

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Oh by the way Most pastors make between 20K and 50k a year if they are full time. But the median is probably around 35-38K

No one is getting rich in the ministry