Silverback
Well-Known Member
- Feb 13, 2019
- 1,306
- 853
- 61
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Lutheran
- Marital Status
- Married
Especially when the part-time pastor is seen coming into the office at 10 am, taking a leisurely 90 minute lunch at noon, then leaving the office at 4. And you'd never see them volunteering if they were to quit. They'd sit at home on Sunday morning updating their resumes for the next PAID ministry position which they apparently feel they are entitled to cause they went to seminary and therefore fall into another category than the layperson who has been studying their Bible their entire lives and also knows it forward and backward but perhaps aren't as 'eloquent' at putting a sermon together. Nor is the pastor's schedule booked solid with counseling sessions like some sort of high priced psychologist.
"But....but...they have families to support!"
So do the part-time volunteers. They have other jobs. A few relatively rare pastors of smaller churches may work full-time at other jobs, like school teacher, but still get paid by the church. They aren't volunteering.
Everything everyone is doing can be made to be part-time. It's called LESS THAN 40 HOURS OF WORK PER WEEK!
I cannot speak on your situation. However, Pastors do things outside the church building, often they are visiting other members who are sick, or, in the hospital, they have grave site services to conduct, they attend meetings of local congregations who participated in ecumenical activities, among other responsibilities. these activities can mean a lot of travel time stuck in traffic, or, long distances to travel.
Pastors should be paid at levels appropriate to their education, and experience, they should not live in an unsafe, and dilapidated church parsonage, and drive a rusted unreliable vehicle.
Additionally, many do have families to care for. Those in full-time ministry should get there salary from the source of that ministry, be that a church, mission board, or, chaplaincy.
Very good pastors have left the ministry because they have never received a pay increase, and can't make it any longer, or, the elders will not replace the leaking roof in the parsonage, or, get the mold removed that's affecting there children's health.
I will agree there are limits, but, most Pastors are not getting rich in the ministry.
A seminary education at an ATS accredited Seminary is as expensive as medical, or law school, and many pastors have significant education debt, which further reduced there available income.
Pastors also have to deal with church members driving by there homes at all hours of the night looking to see if their lights are on, or their virgins drawn, or any other myriad of insults, they are followed by members, members sit outside their homes and take pictures...you name it.
Pastors put up with more bologna than most, I couldn't do it.
If you are unhappy with what your pastor does, is not doing, or, his compensation package, then I suggest you bring it to the elders, or, confront the pastor directly.
You could also find another church., But spying on anyone is very immature.
Upvote
0