Comments on: An Essential Guide To The Minister’s Salary

By: Purchasing A Car? Advantages Of Buying Used Cars

Purchasing A Car? Advantages Of Buying Used Cars — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:08:01 +0000

[...] cash is both possible and practical. With my pastor’s salary, it would take me quite some time to save up $25,000 to buy a new car. However, saving $3,500 for [...]

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:03:32 +0000

Pete,
Thanks so much for you comment. I think you’re right that trust is a big part of this. The smaller the church the more important trust becomes because you interact on a more personal level.
Keep up the good work.

By: AussiePete

AussiePete — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:28:57 +0000

Craig, thanks for tackling the topic. I think there’s an issue of trust in all this. I minister to a church of about 100, and my salary package accounts for about half the budget. If the congregation believes that I’m wasting that money they’ll have no incentive to consider a raise in the future.
On the other hand, if they see me providing for my family, repairing my broken car, providing meals for members, giving generously to church needs then they can be confident their money is being well used to further God’s kingdom.
I’ve been a member in churches that have debated giving the minister a raise after several years of no change. The church could afford it, and my question has always been, “do you trust him to use it well?” If the answer is “No” then there are bigger issues than just the salary number! If the answer is “Yes” then there’s no problem.

By: » Is Math The King Of The Financial Jungle?

» Is Math The King Of The Financial Jungle? — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:15:32 +0000

[...] not in a very lucrative career field. Last time I checked the ministers salary isn’t ranking at the top of any salary scale. So the question is – did I make a poor career [...]

By: Len Penzo dot Com

Len Penzo dot Com — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:41:19 +0000

The Carnival of Personal Finance CCXLIV – The Fiscally Irresponsible TV Characters Edition…

Welcome to the 244th edition of the Carnival of Personal Finance! What an honor! The main theme of this blog is all about taking responsibility for your own personal finances. So today I thought I would theme this edition of the Carnival around sever…

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:50:32 +0000

@Gholmes. See my reply to Bucksome. Many deonominations do, but there is a growing number of non-denominational and community churches that do not have any such ‘formal’ guidelines. Unfortunately, the whole topic is a can of worms.

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:47:49 +0000

@Carolyn

Thanks so much for your comment. The book you pointed out is such a valuable resource. In addition there are also several website that give useful information. If you Google minister + salary + your denomination you can find out some general averages.

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:46:19 +0000

@Bucksome

I don’t think that it is unusual for denominations to have guidelines (personally I don’t know which denominations do and which to not). However, community churches and non-denominational churches have no such guidelines. I guess this post would be most relevant to such churches.

I just looked at some of the Methodists averages http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Employer=First_United_Methodist_Church/Salary and they seem about right (perhaps a little higher than average).

The most common guideline for a pastors pay is the teacher’s salary. This is a common point of comparison. Most ministers will quickly point out that teachers get a two month break from school.

By: Gholmes

Gholmes — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:33:15 +0000

I would hope each denomination does have guidelines for paying thier ministers. Our church has a committee of finance savy folks that budgets the pastors’ salary. Basing it on the needs of a pastor is too subjective and does seem like a can of worms.

As far as pay, think long term as in eternity not just the 70+ years here on earth.

By: Bucksome

Bucksome — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:52:28 +0000

Craig, is it unusual for the demonination to have guidelines? I am a Methodist and my understanding is that the our church has to pay according to the district guidelines based on the pastor’s seniority and congregation size.

I definitely agree in paying ministers fairly as with any profession; it’s just not going to be one of the highest paying. More like a teacher’s pay than a physician’s.
.-= Bucksome´s last blog ..Shopping on Craiglist =-.