Pastors are for churches, not churches for Pastors. Churches do not exist for our benefit or for our livelihood. We exist rather for their good." Derek J. Prime
Today I am still right or wrong angry at the way the mentality of Christian people think about taking care of the man of God who has given his life to serve the body of Christ and preach the Word of God in their church's.
Back in the 70’s when I took my first pastorate, and had a family I was ready to pastor a church with all the zeal I could have. I didn’t care the size of the church, I didn’t care about the money they were going to pay me, I just want to preach. So I took this little church of about 12 that first Sunday, and they gave me $5.00 per week. And I was really glad to have a place to preach.
My wife said, “Look we can’t live on looks, and if you can’t provide for us by preaching, go out and get a job.” I said why don’t you go out and get a job. That didn’t go over well. But she did and got a very good job. So I got a job driving a school bus, and then selling insurance
. And trying to pastor a church and work on sermons each week.
In both jobs, they said to me, “You either have to work for us full time or work full time for the church, but you can’t do both.” I must say at 23 years old, they were right. So after three years of this, I resigned the church. My wife was about to have a nerviest breakdown due to all the stress.
What is sad, I never took a public job without asking what was the pay? I certainly would not take a job and not get paid for the service I was given them. But somehow we have this idea that as a preacher we are not to work for pay and our services is free. Where did that come from anyway.
I am so bad that my Dad killed himself by working so hard at providing for his family. I love every one in our church for the most part, and they loved Dad. But they were not trained to provided the means whereby Dad serve with some income to live on.
I get angry that my Dad died at 64 years old when I was 17 years old.
I SHOULD NEVER BE WILLING TO WORK FOR A CHURCH THAT IS NOT WILLING TO PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY.
· Charles E. Whisnant I would totally disagree with that statement some what
Charles E. Whisnant There are a group of people who believe they should get any kind of services free. Tell this statement to a medical doctor, or a college professor or basketball coach! Preaching is a profession as much as any.
Chris Harper Charles E. Whisnant check out the book "Brother's we are not Professionals"
Charles E. Whisnant " a paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification". In this case you might say a pastor is then not a profession. Little pay, no prolonged training and not qualified
Chris Harper Charles E. Whisnant I would hope a Pastor as well as every believer is not striving to accumulate wealth here on Earth, but instead is striving to bring honor and glory to their Heavenly Father.
Ed Franklin Perhaps a reading of Ezekiel 34 is in order.....a reading which includes:
Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep.... “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, declares the Lord God, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them."
I'd say this does not bode well for the false shepherds, the "professional preachers" who view this as a "job" done for income and as a "career"--educated or not, seminarian or country bumpkin is not the determinant--The distinction is whether a man is called of God and equipped by God for the ministry of the Word, or is he just someone who decided preaching looked like a good gig, had a facility for speaking perhaps and a passing acquaintance with the church world....."hey, presto! I'm a preacher
Charles E. Whisnant Back in the 1040's and early 50's my dear old dad, was an planting a church tent evangelist. Go somewhere and set up a tent and preach for a month in the same location. Mom said he never took up an offering. She said they almost starved to death. When three children came alone, and Mom did not work, he still wanted to have tent meetings and pastor a church as well, and at time two churches. And he had a hard time asking for money. He didn't. People took advantage of my Dad for years, and he trying to provide for his family, died of three heart attacks due to pressure.
Ed Franklin Good for him! Go thou and do likewise......my income from my congregations is absolutely z.e.r.o. but God manages to provide for me and my family. I'm sure it's difficult for Him........
Ed Franklin And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers,cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. (Matthew 10)
Charles E. Whisnant Well I thought that is what I was going to do likewise. I was not interested in getting paid for what I loved to do. Good thing I was not going to be a Doctor. I never ask what I was going to get paid to be a Youth Pastor. The churches wanted me to be full time and not have another job. So when I got married and had four children, Charity said "How are we going to have a place to live and a car to drive, and food on the table." Never thought of that? Honey why don't you go to workl! That didn't work very well. I remember back in 1970 I took a position to be a youth pastor and the church paid me $50.00. Charity didn't work then. Well I had to take a part time job. But I become so under false conviction I quit the job to work full time for the church. Charity told me we are going to have our first child,. Well great I said. And a few months later the pastor wanted me to quit.
Charles E. Whisnant Well to be truthful I would never change our journey that the Lord has give us. My wife would and my children would. But today we are all doing just wonderful. God has been good.
