? for Pastors and Ministers

[Steve Epley]

I never charged for saints that I pastored nor anyone else but in retrospect I would not charge for saints BUT I disrupted family plans placed them on hold spent money-time-energy on multitude of funerals for non-members that did NOT have the courtesy to even visit ONE church service to say thank you. I have stood in the rain & snow sick myself for non-members that complained over every nuance of the service. I have friends who do the same. I don't know? The funeral director is NOT burying them for free-the grave diggers are even getting paid-the florist-organist-the janitor at the funeral home. EVERYONE but the man who has to officiate the funeral and find something positive to say about maybe a total stranger. The preacher's time and labor surely is worth something? Members? They are supporting the preacher. Non members they are supporting their habits-luxuries-endeavors. Just a mini-sermon.

[Esther]

I think it is only fair for non-members to pay a fee for the ministers time he is giving plus his expenses.

[ManOfWord]

I have never charged for services. We do charge for a wedding if the couple are not members of NLC and we also charge for the use of the church. We have a number of folks who want to get married in our building, so we charge them for expenses incurred and it is just a plain hassle many times for someone who is not a member. It takes two day, including the rehearsal, so I don't feel bad about charging. I have never charged for a funeral and sometimes don't receive anything. I'm not in this for the money. I'd be stoopid if I were!!