Pastor's Salary

I'm not a pastor, but I can't follow his reasoning about "being respected". He shouldn't worry about human respect, but about what Christ will say to him on that final day.

About the actual amount he is being compensated, I think I would have to know what the living costs are in that area. I see you're from SE Oklahoma. I have good friends in Salisaw and Stillwell, and from what I've seen, that salary would tend to be high for that number of attendees, but once again, I don't know.

 

Not a pastor.


I think you're right about the problem being deeper than money.
Sounds like this Pastor thinks he can earn respect because he gets paid alot?? Or does he want to buy it?

 

Pastors wife here.

You didnt say what his education is - I think salary should be commensurate to that.

I am a little bothered about the "respect" thing, too. Sadly, I do know some guys we met in seminary that were big on that. Even if we thought we needed a raise here, we'd never say it.

 

I have been a pastor but am not right now. The salary package you describe sounds generous to me, but not shockingly high. I am assuming that this is a full time pastor. You are talking about a package of 45k plus parsonage and he pays retirement and medical insurance out of that. You are probably requiring an advanced degree and professional ongoing training as well. If you take out the medical reimbursement, professional training, and retirement you are left with $31,500. If he works 40 hours per week and takes off two weeks a year that is 2000 hours so he is making 15.75 per hour. That is a decent wage, but about the same as a good craftsman with an associates degree can make welding or electrical troubleshooting. And the truth is he is probably working a lot more than 40 hours per week. Of course we don’t know all the details he may be lazy and slacking off but then I would assume the church would notice and be unhappy with his performance.

I don’t understand the statement about how his pay increase is tied to the respect given him as a leader. I would probably argue a flat fee percentage increase for all paid staff, but again we don’t know all the details. Has the church grown considerably in the last year and is that because of the pastor? There are other questions should be asked.

How has church giving grown over the last year? If offerings are up 15% then a 5% raise might be too small. If offerings are down it may be too much. What can the church afford to pay? I have been part of a church before that believed in making up any budget you wanted and then trusting God to supply the money. In the real world that does not work. Look at last years receipts and build your budget from that. Then at the end of the year if giving is up and you have extra cash you pay bonuses, have a big Christmas party, and send all the missionaries a gift.

 

I think you'll generally find that people that make less than the pastor will say he's over paid and those that make more say it's fair.

There are publications that are available that can be used to give guidance as to what is fair.

They take into account geographical location, congregational size, church budget, education, benefits and other data.

Here's one, although I believe the church I attend uses a different one.
http://www.ministryaccounting.peachhost.com/CompensationHndbk.htm

Rob

 

I think for his education, he is doing well.

 

I would agree with Tater Tot, sounds like he has done well for himself.

I have been fussed at before for bringing secular management techniques into church management, but I believe good management is good management. If he was running a business instead of a church, most business owners would agree that any increase in salary should be tied to an increase in revenue. I don’t see why we can’t apply this to the church. I have seen pastor’s salaries that are stated exactly that way; they get paid a fixed percentage of the offering.

 

Here is a quote on the subject of pastor's salaries I found at Crown financial ministries

http://www.crown.org/pastorscorner/Article.asp?ID=4

 

, but I believe good management is good management.

Tentmaker, I agree!!!

 

A salary based on a fixed percentage of offering...that would encourage a pastor to preach sermons that would tickle the ears rather than convict towards change.

I have the same feelings about the churchs only require a 50% vote against the pastor to remove them.

It requires the pastor to walk a straight and narrow walk between pleasing people and doing what God might want him do within the congregation.

Rob

 

Not a Pastor.

We are in S.W. Ark. We have about 200 - 250 on Sunday Morning. Our Pastor makes 54000.00 plus
perks. He has a PHD. Youth Pastor makes 36000.00 plus perks. He has No Degree.

Just info on what others are making in the same general region of the country.

 

I think this pastor has done well for himself.

I think a pastor should be paid according to the average of the other men in the church. Just my opinion.

 

Check out the new SBC financial website www.guidestone.org. You can research pastoral salaries and benefits based on the size of a church.

 

Just the raw numbers look a little low to me, but I don't know what the cost of living is there, what is family, background, age, and experience are.

His attitude may be a different issue however.

 

Not a pastor, but a minister and member of our church financial team.

Seems he is well compensated for the size church and his educational background.

I find it odd he thinks his worth is based on what he makes. This is cerainly not the case.