Should Pastors Be Compensated? If so how much?

[heb13-13]

(07-26-2009 02:35 PM)Vic Wrote:   Rick,

I am so encouraged with your use of the Word and God-given understanding. We have always been called to edify and encourage one another to run the race. It isn't about one person---except if that person is our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

To Him be the glory.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28. And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29. That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31. That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

I have been so encouraged by some of the posters the last while, to name a few, Rick, Pilgrim, Mark, Emje, Rose, Sheep....your growth and focus on Christ is an example that will be blessed I am sure...Spiritual maturity can come with full dependence on Christ and can take time ...and gray hairs.

Ephesians 1:15-23 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16. Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23. Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

I do look forward to many more discussions and fellowship with you all, and getting to know you more, as we each seek to do all that God asks of us. Let our hearts focus be on Christ, to please Him in all we say and do, and trust Him to provide for all we say and are to do.

In the inimitable words of Chris, Back at ya, Vic!!!

To God be all the Glory, Honor and Praise. For what do we have, that He has not given us?

I love your hearts!

[Strefanash]

If I said I thought a pastor could or should get some payment for his work, it was only about sustaining him to continue the work. I utterly oppose making merchandise out of the gospel, I hope no one thought that I was advocating this.

If food parcels, help around the house, payment in kind did it then well and good

My thinking on this issue is not overly certain or decided as it is not a directly personal issue to me .

I know St Paul said somewhere that some christians, wanting to be rich, had achieved shipwreck in their faith.


For me I have a part time job that pays my bills and allows me to put a little aside as savings. I could make huge bucks as a symphony orchestra musician, but i am frankly not interested, either in being rich or in having to slave over a double bass to get my technique back up to such a standard.

THe thing that matters is the work, whatever it is, and earning or coming about by some honest means the wherewithal to continue it. That is all I was trying to say on this issue

---

payment in kind? or offerings in love and support? the very term "compensation" or "payment" seems to betoken a wrong attitude, now that I think about it after reading the posts on this thread. they have been useful, thank you all

[pastor_chris]

I dont support "merchandising" the gospel either. But if a man is going to devote his life to preach the gospel and serve His congregation as a good shepherd must do then he must receive support. That doesnt always have to be a full time salary but if the church wants to provide that there is nothing wrong with it either.

Let me add something that I think needs to be said. It is wrong for a minister to pressure people to give for his own sake. Giving should never be compulsory. This is my heart. I hope that this will be received and understood. Having said that if the church can afford to support the minister full time and they agree to do that there is nothing wrong with it and if thats the case the church should be sure to pay him a living wage. This is just common sense.