How many churches are willing to "pay out" for their help?

[Sherri]

We have 9 paid full time staff and 5 part time. We pay them fairly, compared to wages in our area, but none of us are getting rich. Several of these positions were volunteer/part time when we started the church and they became full time. I think staff should be paid well, but not extravagantly, according to your income. I don't think the Senior guy should be raking in tons of money if he's not willing to pay the others well.

Originally Posted by Rhoni

I don't particularly care if you like what I said...but it is reality anyhow.

Blessings, Rhoni

Did I say anything about liking or not liking what you said? NO!

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Sherri

We have 9 paid full time staff and 5 part time. We pay them fairly, compared to wages in our area, but none of us are getting rich. Several of these positions were volunteer/part time when we started the church and they became full time. I think staff should be paid well, but not extravagantly, according to your income. I don't think the Senior guy should be raking in tons of money if he's not willing to pay the others well.

Finally...the voice of reason!

Thank-you Sherri...and I totally agree!

Blessings, Rhoni

[LaVonne]

Originally Posted by Sherri

We have 9 paid full time staff and 5 part time. We pay them fairly, compared to wages in our area, but none of us are getting rich. Several of these positions were volunteer/part time when we started the church and they became full time. I think staff should be paid well, but not extravagantly, according to your income. I don't think the Senior guy should be raking in tons of money if he's not willing to pay the others well.

That's good to hear Sherri!

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by CareyM

That's good to hear Sherri!

And I don't get paid at all - totally volunteer, by my own choice. I don't want to be tied to this office like I once was in our other church. I want to do my work and be free to come and go as I please.

Originally Posted by Rhoni

What you have to consider also: You get what you pay for. If you have a voluntary music staff then you have to settle for mediocre talent and less coordiantion of music with ministry.

Ah, yes, people whom God has gifted with certain abilitites will only have a mediocre gift unless they get paid for using their gift! NOT!

If you have a voluntary assistant Pastor then he can show up if he can get off work...if not then you can't get things accomplished.

And, yet, Paul also made tents for a living.

[auote]If you don't pay counselors then they will take their services elsewhere. Who wants to be burdened with other people's problems everytime you go to church unless you are the preacher's wife and have no choice![/quote]They (so-called "counselors") need to go elsewhere because there's no place for them in the Church. That's what we have pastors, elders and mature saints for. What part of "Bear one another's burdens" did you not understand the several times you read that passage?

Originally Posted by Sherri

And I don't get paid at all - totally volunteer, by my own choice. I don't want to be tied to this office like I once was in our other church. I want to do my work and be free to come and go as I please.

And you probably do your job as unto the Lord and do it just as well as someone who gets paid to do it.

[LaVonne]

Originally Posted by Sherri

And I don't get paid at all - totally volunteer, by my own choice. I don't want to be tied to this office like I once was in our other church. I want to do my work and be free to come and go as I please.

Sounds like wisdom to me!

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by CareyM

Sounds like wisdom to me!

Me too!

[MissBrattified]

I think it's just fine to ask folks to volunteer their gifts and talents to the church, especially if the church is small and can't afford to pay fulltime employees. However, the church can't expect compliance or fulltime effort....

I know quite a few pastors who work outside the home, to supplement small incomes from small churches. Would the same logic apply? If a church can't afford to pay a pastor, say, $50,000.00/year, are they too small for a pastor????

Volunteers are necessary, unless the church is very large with equally large financial resources. Volunteers are needed for teaching classes, greeting visitors, taking up offerings, singing in the choir, playing the organ on Sunday mornings, etc. etc. etc. There's no reason to pay for those positions. Unless the position is a fulltime position, in lieu of other employment (at the request of the church), then I see no reason for a salary, or at least not a large one.

I think folks should give of their time and talents to the church the same way the give their financial support. The way I see it, God blessed me with some gifts, I make money off those talents by teaching music lessons, etc., and I return His favor by giving back to Him for free. The only way I would accept a salary from our church is if they asked me to take on a position that would significantly take away from my ability to take care of other priorities, and I would need it in order to fill the position.

Salaries are fair, but they aren't necessary all the time, nor should they be demanded or expected, nor should a person withhold their gifts and talents from the church merely to gain a salary.

I do agree that some churches don't treat their members and volunteers very well, and those who don't, and especially those who have the capacity to do so and don't should be ashamed of themselves.