Comments for Church and Tea

Comment on Church Hospitality Suggestion: Effective Greeters by carolyn

carolyn — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:26:24 +0000

I was asked to do this at my husband’s church but, I don’t know what to do and how to start.

Comment on Volunteer Expiration Dates by Patti

Patti — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:44:58 +0000

How do you handle volunteers where the Pastor wants them to stay but the volunteer is ineffective?

Comment on What Size Church Gets a Full Time Pastor? by Dan

Dan — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:57:13 +0000

Thank you for the input J.Ross.

I could see where this post could be received as self-serving, but if you read closer, I think you will find that this post is not written out of concern for myself, but out of concern for my church. You gave a great list of pastoral responsibilities, but I think you missed a few important ones. One that comes to mind: It is a pastor’s responsibility to lead the church and organize it for effective ministry. In this light, I think it is fair to ask what size church can afford a full time pastor, and still have the resources to carry on the ministry it has been called to do.

My experience of congregations, and my personal experience when I was a lay person, tells me that congregations truly want to care and provide for their pastor. In the United Methodist Church, our network of churches have even established minimum standards to meet those needs. They include a modest salary ($36,500), housing, health care (for the pastor, not the pastor’s family), and a pension. These are the things that my denomination has decided are needed for a pastor to be able to devote him or her self to full time ministry. If these needs are met, they free a pastor to perform the responsibilities that you have listed in your comment. When you add all of these minimums together, you approach $70,000.

I believe that this number is prohibitive to small congregations. I asked “what size church gets a full time pastor?” not because I want to bolster my salary, but because I am concerned about small congregations. I see churches struggling to meet these minimum compensation requirements, and cutting ministry from their budget in order to keep a full time pastor. While I believe that putting a full time pastor in the field is a ministry in itself, the budget

What happens is this: A church cuts its budget to keep a full time pastor, and then the pastor does not have anything to work with in the budget to lead and organize the church in ministry. Sure the pastor can preach and visit, but what about the ministry of the church? This situation creates a church that is dependent on the pastor.

Bottom line…. I think small congregations would be better served and be better prepared for service by joining with other small congregations to share a full time pastor if that means they are better able to fund the ministries that God is calling them to perform. So my question: What size does that usually happen? I think it is a fair question to be asked out of concern for our small congregations.

Comment on What Size Church Gets a Full Time Pastor? by J. Ross

J. Ross — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:10:17 +0000

I don’t know how I stumbled upon this blog but I am compelled to reply. I feel like you Pastor’s have it wrong…so very wrong. It seems to me that you are in the preaching “business” for the money. It’s my understanding that a pastor lives on what the flock can afford to pay them. Now, when that flock is small and can’t afford a $70K salary does that mean that they don’t deserve a full time pastor, that they don’t need a full time pastor? If you are so concerned about your money I think you are in the wrong position. Maybe you are not called by God to preach his word. My question to you is, are you preaching God’s word and bringing souls into your church? Maybe you are spending to much time telling your congregation that they are not giving enough money instead of feeding them the bread of life. One could ask if you are doing your job as pastor to the expectations of your church to warrent such a salary, for that matter does any of your members even make that kiind of money with todays problems. Do you keep office hours so your people know when you are available? Do you visit your church members? Do you believe the Bible and preach from it? I think if you are losing your church members that you might start with what you might have done to make them move to other churches or heaven forbid stop going to church all together. I say these things because I have seen it first hand. I am not saying you are guilty of this but if this hits a nerve, so be it. I am just sad to see so many churches die and I think a lot is because of greed. Do what you are called to do and believe me God will provide for you. You may not have your wants but I know you will have your needs. Look at your church members and ask yourself if you even know their financial situation. Maybe you should see to their needs instead of them giving more to you. This is just how I truly feel. It comes for a worry of to much worldly influences in or church.

Comment on Jesus Heals a Crippled Church: Luke 13:10-17 by Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 04:55:56 +0000

I keep telling myself today is not the right day, I am still trying to carry on my business.. Maybe tomorow I will be able to follow you lord and receive my healing.. I am that crippled church.

Comment on Jude’s Wandering Stars by Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 04:21:19 +0000

My struggle.. To have the courage and strength to walk away from this life of sin i’ve been living.. I hear God telling me “The time is now, leave it all behind!” But the fear of walking away from what i’ve known and been comfortable with for the last decade and moving forward in the unknown and uncertainty is what’s been holding me back! I’m at that crossroad.. Matthew 16:24. I am the lost sheep living in the pig pen.