After reading this story, I was not sure I wanted to post it and then dawned on me that after being in ministry for almost 25 years and pastoring for 19 of those years, somewhere I must be a failure.

I have never made over $35,000 a year, I live in a modest home in your typical middle class neighborhood. My children has never gone hungry, I am most richly blessed with a wonderful wife that has worked to support the ministry that God has called me into as a pastor and evangelist.

Sometimes when I read these stories about how much pastors and ministers make, it makes me feel as if I am a failure, as a pastor, a father, a husband and a provider. Yet when I reflect back upon all those years of service and not compromising my faith and beliefs to stay in the ministry that God has called me into.

I have always marched to a different drum. I have never held church in a stately sanctuary. Most of the time it has been in places were most people would not want to go to church. Most of my ministry has been to the poor and down trot ten and less fortunate of this world.

I do not begrudge these pastors who make this kind of money, in fact I think that there is not enough money that can be paid for what a pastor does. Yet in saying that even I could make that kind of money, I would probably refuse it. I was asked by a search committee once how much money would it take for me to come on board as their pastor, my answer was, what ever the people can afford. Of course this was a small church in a rural community of farmers.

Here I am about to turn 65 and have just enough retirement to scrape by and I am wanting to kick my self in the rear end for not making more money over the years and putting it back for retirement. I think what a failure you are. Then this scripture pops into my head.

Matthew 6:19-21

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Now here is the story that prompted this post. Forgive me for your indulgences, but this is straight from the heart!



Church Pastors' Pay Rises to More than $80,000
By Audrey Barrick
Christian Post Reporter
Tue, Aug. 19 2008 03:28 PM EDT
The average senior pastor in U.S. churches today makes more than $80,000 a year, a recent national survey shows.

Compensation packages, including benefits such as retirement, life insurance, health insurance and continuing education allowances, have increased to $81,113 per year for the average senior pastor. And pastors who hold a higher academic degree are paid up to $30,000 more per year than pastors without any post-secondary education.

The statistics come from the 2009 Compensation Handbook for Church Staff, an annual analysis of compensation packages at churches across the country, and at a time when churches begin planning their budget for the next year. This year, 4,800 U.S. churches, representing about 11,000 employees, were surveyed between January and March by the Your Church Media Group at Christianity Today International.

According to the survey, churches that draw 101 to 300 people each week pay senior pastors $72,664 per year, including benefits. The pay increases to $88,502 for pastors at churches that average a weekly attendance of 301 to 500 people, and then to $102,623 when attendance averages 501 to 750 people.

Compensation also increased among executive and administrative pastors who now earn an average of about $60,777 at churches of 101 to 300 people and $76,671 at churches of 501 to 750 people.

Pastors who lead music, choir or worship earn an average of about $51,954 at the smaller churches and $64,781 at the bigger ones.

Senior pastors, full-time secretaries and administrative assistants in the New England states have higher compensation compared to those in other regions, the survey also found.

Compensation is highest in suburban churches with suburban senior pastors making an average of 50 percent more than their rural counterparts. The pay is lower with churches in metropolitan areas, small towns and then in rural communities, respectively.

Meanwhile, executive or administrative pastors, bookkeepers and accountants earn the most in the Pacific region and administrators fare best in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Pay also differed among denominations. Pastors leading in Presbyterian and Lutheran churches earn the most with over $100,000 in compensation while executive and administrative pastors make more on average with independent and nondenominational churches ($80,469) than any other denomination.

The 2009 Compensation Handbook for Church Staff provides a complete analysis of 13 church positions and includes breakdowns for part-time, full-time, church size, income budget, and geographical setting.

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20 ... 80-000.htm

Frank, I think not making this money is what makes you a "true" Pastor for God. Thats why I love my Pastor so much! We have Church in a warehouse and he is far away from being rich but he has God with Him and you can feel it just like you can feel it with you. Jesus did not make that much money, all He had was the clothes on His back and then they cast lots for them. Sure, God blesses people with riches but I think that is meant to do something else with, not hoard it like most do. Be proud that you are walking in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior. You have not failed but have overcome!!!

I have heard and believed it to be true
"That success is not how much money you make, nor what you own, REAL success is where you stand with God Amen..

If you think about it, most of those Pastors are so busy traveling around from one place to the other, or heading up all kinds of meetings , they do not have time to even spend that money, and if they make it, most goes for the big house, big cars..and stuff..

I am most sure your joy meets and passes theirs, your spirit is not lacking strength, you have peace in your heart and mind knowing when you lay down at nite, all you did was unto the Lord.

I must confess here, I sometimes get a little " What am I suppose to do, I have more bills at the end of my money" but however true this is, I can say in truth ,I am 64 years "young " and
I have never been without food, shelter and a place tosleep and live, and God bless me with these needs , even before I believed .

God is so good, and soooooo very patient, merciful, and always loving us when most often we are not lovable... well I am not lovable sometimes .

Frank,

I don't necessary think the way God blesses his children is always financial.

Many times His blessing is having good health, good wife, successful children, and etc.

Many times in the Bible our Bible characters did their own professions while building the churches.

Paul was a 'tentmaker' while Jesus was a 'carpenter' or Luke was a 'physician.'

I personally believe some preachers are 'overpaid', and we're living in the Laodicea Church.

My husband's uncle was a preacher, and a carpenter.

Allot of times his congregation offered him more money, but he turned down the money.

He was known for his 'character' throughout our small town.

He was always doing for others, and I'm sure when he just died that God had a great reward for him.

Each one of us is known for our fruit.

Now Frank you are spending time with us, and your rewards will come from heaven.

Back in the stone age when I was Catholic, one of the biggest things that bothered me was how the pope dressed. I felt that he should be dressed in monk's robes rather than the robes of a king. Frank, you are exactly what a pastor should be. A good pastor deserves a big, fancy car and a big fancy home and lots of money to buy lots of goodies, but a good pastor would NEVER do that. Even if the money were there, a good pastor would live modestly and give generously to the work of Christ. I feel that you are that sort of pastor. God will always supply your need. . . you know that. Your reward will be in heaven when you see all the souls that you have touched for Christ.

I want to thank all of you for your kind and encouraging words. You are the very reason why this forum is such a blessing. Encouraging one another daily. It humbles me and gives me courage to keep on keeping on.

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