Comments on: Church Parsonage | Should A Minister Buy A Home?

By: Craig Ford

Craig Ford — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:06:49 +0000

Dustin,
Thanks for the comment. I’m not really sure what parts of the article would need (or could be) sourced. The article mostly just introduces the advantages and disadvantages.

By: Dustin Bannister

Dustin Bannister — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:13:57 +0000

Greetings Craig,

I am wondering if you have any sources for documentation? I’m looking to do a research paper on this very topic and need some good primary sources. Thanks!

By: Terry Wildman

Terry Wildman — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:13:32 +0000

I’ve submitted this question to the IRS for an answer. They couldn’t answer on the phone and are researching it now. What might complicate this is that the RV is also being used for full time ministry on the road. So its a combination of a ministry vehicle and a parsonage. I will let you know how it turns out. They said they should have an answer in a couple of weeks.

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:26:56 +0000

Terry,
Thanks for the question.
Unfortunately, I don’t know the answer. You’ll need to speak with a certified accountant about that. Sounds like an interesting scenario. When you do find out I’d be interested to know.
My guess is that if the church owns the RV that is possible, but not if the minister owns it.

By: Terry Wildman

Terry Wildman — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:02:00 +0000

Can a church or religious non profit designate an RV being used for ministry as a parsonage if the minister does not own a home?

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 20:12:16 +0000

Alice,
No statistical information. My feedback is based on experience in ministry for 10 years with friends working as ministers all over the country. Of the 35 people I graduated with only one lives in a parsonage. Dial the clock back 50 years and the percentage would be much higher.

Thanks for the good question.

By: Alice

Alice — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:50:43 +0000

Your article states that fewer churches are offering a parsonage. Do you have
any statistics or a reference for that statement?

By: Craig

Craig — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 20:00:16 +0000

@Rex
First, I’m not an expert. But, as far as I understand it that would be fine. At least I’ve been associated with churches that do the exact same thing. I’m not aware of any IRS code that requires the use of a parsonage.
You may want to make a quick call to a lawyer or accountant who deals with these types of things.

By: Rex Osborn

Rex Osborn — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 04:21:05 +0000

Question for the experts, our minister does not want to live in the church furnished parsonage but wants to stay in his own home. Can the church legally give him a housing allowance for his current home, thereby, leaving the parsonage empty?

By: Financial bondage

Financial bondage — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 03:42:41 +0000

If I were a pastor, I would like a free place to live, even if that meant taking a lower income. Within reason of course. I don’t expect a pastor to work for peanuts.