What is an acceptable salary for a Pastor?

[dizzyde]

Originally Posted by Jeanie

I usually only look at ones with pictures this is for Houston:1665$

http://houston.craigslist.org/apa/478862391.html

Wow, that surprises me. And makes me sad! I thought maybe getting out of CA was the answer!

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Jeanie

You know in today's economy that is not as much as it used to be! With the prices of homes these days--I do no think that is much to ask considering.

I would even say 150k-200k

Trust me $150,000.00 per year is not what it used to be. When earned even in 2003 it was much more than it is today.

All along someone is telling us we have almost no inflation.

Let's see my electric/gas bill for the home is double.

My grocery bill is double.

My healthcare and copays are through the roof.

In fact 2003 was the last year I paid zero out of my salary and had no copays.

Now with my son having a medical condition we may spend $6,000.00 per year.


$140,000 in 2006 income resulted in the following:

$27,000.00 Federal Taxes.
$9,750.00 Social Security.
$9,000.00 in state taxes.
$6,000.00 in propoerty taxes.
The second highest gasoline tax in the US. Estimate of gallons used in 2006 1100 gallons with a sales tax of .46 per gallon = $506
Sales tax of 5.6. Who knows what I spent.

Then you have taxes on your phone bill, Electric Bill, Cable.

I figure that I spent $60,000.00 in taxes.

42% of my income lost.

My son could go to the a great college for 60K a year.

If I were in the ministry that money would have gone much further.

I would sign out of Social Security, have the house be a parsonage so I pay no property taxes.

That alone would save me $1,600 per month and put me a much nicer car....

Not to mention if I got a suit allowance, gas allowance, expense allowance, travel allowance, house allowance.

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by Neckstadt

Trust me $150,000.00 per year is not what it used to be. When earned even in 2003 it was much more than it is today.

All along someone is telling us we have almost no inflation.

Let's see my electric/gas bill for the home is double.

My grocery bill is double.

My healthcare and copays are through the roof.

In fact 2003 was the last year I paid zero out of my salary and had no copays.

Now with my son having a medical condition we may spend $6,000.00 per year.


$140,000 in 2006 income reulted in the following:

$27,000.00 Federal Taxes.
$9,750.00 Social Security.
$9,000.00 in state taxes.
$6,000.00 in propoerty taxes.
The second highest gasoline tax in the US. Estimate of gallons used in 2006 1100 gallons with a sales tax of .46 per gallon = $506
Sales tax of 5.6. Who knows what I spent.

Then you have taxes on your phone bill, Electric Bill, Cable.

I figure that I spent $60,000.00.

If I were in the ministry that money would have gone much further.

Thats my point what used to be big money is not big money any more, thank you for the information above.

It is sicking what we pay in Taxes-and try to cloth, feed maintain a decent lifestyle is almost impossible on what would have been outstanding wages even 5 yrs ago.

[AmazingGrace]

Originally Posted by dizzyde

Really? I had heard that in TX at least, the rent was considerably cheaper. Anybody from those parts want to chime in? Enquiring minds want to know!

AG, where are you?

LOL Did you call? I knew my ears were itching for some reason...

Renting isnt too bad here... we have a moderately sized 3 bdrm 3 bth and it rents for 950....

In Dallas proper you can get them from 800-2000 for a 3 bdrm ... all depends on where you are renting... but for the larger (ours is 1800 sq ft) for larger you are going to spend more... my sister rents a 2500 sq ft 4 bdrm and its 1800 a month..

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by dizzyde

Wow, that surprises me. And makes me sad! I thought maybe getting out of CA was the answer!

See what I'm talking about!

I did too-

[Neck]

Originally Posted by Jeanie

Thats my point what used to be big money is not big money any more, thank you for the information above.

It is sicking what we pay in Taxes-and try to cloth, feed maintain a decent lifestyle is almost impossible on what would have been outstanding wages even 5 yrs ago.

I am sure our parents were not taxed 42% or more of their income...

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

The Elders of the large Church at Ephesus sat under the Apostle to the Gentiles. What did he counsel THEM about the salary they should expect?

32: And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33: I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34: Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35: I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:32-35

WHAT! No expectations of financial gain? Work with your own hands?

Away with Paul says the modern Pentecostal ministry!

Now how much should I make...........

Thank you for a post containing what we ALL already know. Now address the practical issue at hand:

Should a pastor receive monetary support from the church? NOT for financial *gain*, but for his families necessities?

If so, how much is fair?
Should he be expected to minister and also work another job? Is it efficient for him to do so? Or will he be too exhausted to be as devoted as he could be otherwise?

Try addressing the questions at hand, and don't dance around them with familiar rhetoric.

If not, why not? Is there something bad about a church supporting its ministry team? What scriptures do you have to show that it is ungodly?

You can quote Paul, and I can quote another spot where it mentions those that labour being given double honour. So.

1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
1Ti 5:18 For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.

When I read posts that don't really answer questions, I'm reminded of an old saying...I don't know who the author is, but my Dad used to quote it all the time: "Some folks are so heavenly minded, they're no earthly good."

There are practical matters to be addressed. Period. Lights have to be kept on, buildings must be paid for, and pastors should be allowed to buy groceries. It isn't about becoming wealthy and accumulating lots of *stuff*; its about allowing the church to support the pastor in a reasonable manner, so that he can give himself to the church full time.

P.S. *honor* means "value, money paid" (by analogy, it can mean "esteem, or dignity", but considering the context of the verse, it is literal, not analogous.) *labor* - "work hard", and the last part of verse 18, can simply be phrased, "The teacher is worthy of his PAY."

P.S.S. In rereading my post, I realize that sometimes I can sound soooOOOOooo snarky and prissy. I apologize, but I don't have time or really the inclination to edit, so just take my apologies for the tone, and try to take it all at face value.

[dizzyde]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Thank you for a post containing what we ALL already know. Now address the practical issue at hand:

I'm really not responding to your post, it's just I've been wanting to do this every since I saw your new signature!

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by dizzyde

I'm really not responding to your post, it's just I've been wanting to do this every since I saw your new signature!

Ha! I love it!

[H2H]

Anyone know what the average income in the US is?