Celebrity Preachers

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Maple Leaf

Very interesting, and certainly not exorbitant by today's standards.

AFF's resident campmeeting speaker has spoken of the hours he spends in preparation for his sermons (20+/- if memory serves me right), and then each service requires at least one day on site. An experienced journeyman working in industry can expect to make $35 per hour. At that rate, it would be hard to consider even $500 as overly generous.

I've never met a preacher who was in it for the money. Apparently the people on this forum meet them every day, but I haven't met one yet.

If you do meet one, he needs his head examined.

[Michael The Disciple]

I am opposed to any Preacher thinking he MUST be paid for ministry. We have zero examples of Jesus asking for money. Paul an Apostle who had an annointing FAR GREATER than any Apostolic Preacher alive today acepted offerings but was quite willing to work day and night to not be chargable to the people.

People today have a better way I guess than the examples of scripture.

[Maple Leaf]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

If you do meet one, he needs his head examined.

I've preached many times for an honorarium of $50, when I could have written off close to half of that amount on travel expenses. Let's see, that would be approximately eight hours of my life for $30, and I'm not talking about the seventies either.

Preaching, for most of us, is a lot like the farmer who won the lottery. When they asked him what he was going to do with his winnings, He said "I guess I'll just keep on farming until the money's all gone."

[FirstRev]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

If you do meet one, he needs his head examined.

Amen Coonskinner! There are EASIER ways to make money and more of it too.

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Maple Leaf

I've preached many times for an honorarium of $50, when I could have written off close to half of that amount on travel expenses. Let's see, that would be approximately eight hours of my life for $30, and I'm not talking about the seventies either.

Preaching, for most of us, is a lot like the farmer who won the lottery. When they asked him what he was going to do with his winnings, He said "I guess I'll just keep on farming until the money's all gone."

I recall the days of $20 and $25 offerings, and I am not very old.

I always said i would preach for free if I felt it was God's will to go and I had the money to get there. I've done it, too.

Of course, on the other hand, I have also received far more than I am worth a lot of times too, probably every time, even in those days of twenty dollar bills pressed into my hand after service.

[Maple Leaf]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

I am opposed to any Preacher thinking he MUST be paid for ministry. We have zero examples of Jesus asking for money. Paul an Apostle who had an annointing FAR GREATER than any Apostolic Preacher alive today acepted offerings but was quite willing to work day and night to not be chargable to the people.

People today have a better way I guess than the examples of scripture.

Jesus gave these instructions to His disciples:

Luke 10:7 "And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house."

Jesus ministry was supported by the offerings received from His followers:

Luke 8:1-3 "And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

(NLT) ". . . and many others who were contributing their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples."

I've never met a preacher who didn't work for free when the situation required it.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

If you do meet one, he needs his head examined.

His head; most likely, but for sure his heart!!!!!

I don't know anyone personally that's in Ministry for the money. But if I did I certainly would have a heart to heart talk with them.

[Maple Leaf]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

I recall the days of $20 and $25 offerings, and I am not very old.

I always said i would preach for free if I felt it was God's will to go and I had the money to get there. I've done it, too.

Of course, on the other hand, I have also received far more than I am worth a lot of times too, probably every time, even in those days of twenty dollar bills pressed into my hand after service.

The reality of a pastor's experience is much different than most people realize. If most local pastor's were paid for the work that they actually do, the churches could not afford them.

I love what I do, but I don't do it for the money.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

I recall the days of $20 and $25 offerings, and I am not very old.

I always said i would preach for free if I felt it was God's will to go and I had the money to get there. I've done it, too.

Of course, on the other hand, I have also received far more than I am worth a lot of times too, probably every time, even in those days of twenty dollar bills pressed into my hand after service.

That has always been my feelings on the matter as well. I've tried to never turn anyone down that has invited me to preach. I can only think of one occasion were I did and it had nothing to do with money, after praying about it I just did not have leave to go in my spirit.

[The Closer]

Originally Posted by CC1

I am guessing you are a preacher? LOL!!!

Open disclosure seems to be a real problem for some preachers.

I assume you would get angry then if I started talking about the little unofficial club atmosphere were many pastors invite their pastor friends to come preach for them a couple of times a year and then the favor is returned?

I am sure much of the time it is for pure reasons but I also believe that it is a convenent way to help boost each other's income as your friend's church is going to pay you an hororium when you visit to preach and our church will do the same for him when he comes to preach for you. It doesn't take but a half dozen of these speaking engagements to decent size churches to add thousands of dollars to ones annual income.

Anyone who has a heart for the ministry can see with much ease the true spirit of your post. I am so sorry that you have such a warped view of the ministry to think that everyone is in it for the money and that it is some "club." I do pity you sir, I am sorry that somewhere in your background someone let you down and your view is so clouded.

Yes there are some who abuse the "ministry" but a true minister never does.