Scripture is clear that we are to provide well for our pastors. So, how are we doing? Sadly, there are many areas of neglect. How can we as the church get back on track?

I was recently asked to speak to a group of people at an annual laymen's conference. The topics for this year were to be related to the accountability the church has to the pastors and staff. When Dr. Eric Spann asked me to address the group, I hesitated. My schedule was so busy that I could hardly keep up as it was. After a night of prayer and thought; however, I felt God asking me to take on this challenge even though I wasn't prepared. After making that commitment, things have really fallen into place. God has prepared me in a way that only He can. "Coincidentally" I have had several pastors contact me in the past few weeks seeking help with their finances. Each meeting that took place helped to open my eyes to an area of neglect in churches around the world.

The problem

Let me first reveal the problem we are facing. Let's begin by digging into God's Word about our responsibility. Consider 3 John 1:1-11...

The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

Allow me to summarize this passage in 4 points:

1. A church was praised for providing well for pastors and traveling teachers / missionaries. We are taught to send them "in a manner worthy of God."
2. The church would be blessed if they provided well for the pastors, teachers, and missionaries.
3. When we give to these people, we actually share in their work. We will receive blessings.
4. If a church does NOT provide well for these servants of God, the church has not seen God.

So, has your church seen God? Is your church honoring God in the way it provides for your pastors? I've been involved with teaching Biblical finance for over 5 years now. In this period of time, I've met with several pastors regarding their own finances. I have seen pastors who are struggling to get by, their debt levels are tremendous, credit ratings are shot, they have medical bills that will haunt them forever, and will be forced to work for the rest of their lives. Christianity Today magazine released some interesting statistics. They found that 67% of pastors feel financial anxiety. Of pastor's spouses, 75% feel truly anxious about money. Sadly, 49% of pastors consider leaving ministry each year to pursue a higher-paying job.

Not only is this going to affect the pastor and his family, but what about Kingdomwork? Can a pastor truly meet his full potential if he must feel the pressure and stress involved with financial worries? Can a pastor be an effective shepherd if he suffers from burnout? Most people have no clue as to the problems pastors face on a day-to-day basis. Imagine for a moment that you had a job offer where there were long hours, high stress, low pay, and you would have about 200 bosses. Would you want that job!?

Faithfully Providing for Our Pastors

Now let's consider practical steps we can take to provide for our pastors in a manner worthy of God.

1. Salary: Most pastors today are badly underpaid. We need to realize how important their position is. We think nothing about doctors who make hundreds of thousands per year. Doctors are providing a good service; after all, we need help keeping our physical bodies in shape. Pastors, however, provide an even greater service. They are providing us with spiritual guidance all of the time. How much more important is it that we receive help in areas that will make an eternal difference than just a temporal one!? Our pastors are professionals with quality educations that deserve good compensation... not to mention that they are called by God into His service!
2. As a church: God's people need to be faithful with the money God has entrusted to them. We live in a country where materialism is a deadly cancer. Satan knows that the battle over stewardship is a battle for the hearts of man. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21). If we are successful with God's money, you will see a difference between Christians and the world; after all, we are to be in the world but not of the world. Sadly, statistics show that there is no difference when it comes to things like debt levels, bankruptcies, divorce rates, and even giving rates. How can we expect to provide for our pastors when we can't even manage our own money? Did you know that Barna Research Group found that only 5% of people tithed in 2003? Consider a Biblical finance training program to enforce good stewardship principles within the church. Of course, I'm rather fond of Keys to Financial Freedom!
3. Insurance: Most churches today don't provide any type of health, disability, or life insurance coverage to their pastors. I feel this is a major shortcoming. If your pastor has major medical bills totaling $200,000, who is responsible for them? The pastor or the church? If you ask me, it is the church. The church is responsible for providing for the pastor's needs. What if your pastor suffered a stroke and could not perform his duties for 3 years? Would you stop paying him? Could the church afford to continue providing for his needs and call a new pastor? Again, who is responsible? Every church should consider buying health, life, and disability insurance for their pastors.
4. Retirement: Most companies in the world today offer some sort of retirement program to attract and retain quality staff. I don't like to compare God's church to business, but we need to consider this. Sadly, many don't even feel that pastors should ever retire. They have just as much right to retire as anyone else in the world. My opinion is that anyone can retire from a job, but all must continue to serve the Lord. That means that a pastor may come to a point where he retires from leading the church, but he can still serve as God leads. I've seen pastors who are working and must pastor a church for as long as they live; not out of God's calling, but out of financial need because the church hasn't provided adequately. Every church should consider setting up a 403(b) plan for their pastor. This is a retirement account similar to a 401(k), but for nonprofit organizations. A church can usually start such an account for as little as $50 per month. We set these types of accounts up for pastors all the time.
5. Parsonage: Many churches offer parsonages as "benefits." Would you want to live in a parsonage? Sure, it might be nice to not have house payments, but at least you build up equity. For many people, a home is the biggest asset they'll ever have. A pastor can lead a church for 20 years and leave without a penny because the church provided a parsonage as a "benefit." If living in a parsonage, pastors should be compensated enough so that they can put back enough money each month to make up for the lack of equity in a home. Another reason to have a 403(b) plan.
6. Social Security: A pastor has the option to opt out of social security. This means that they don't pay social security tax and they won't receive an income from social security when they get older. Sometimes this is done out of necessity. For instance, I have a pastor friend who was called to a church of about 15 people. They couldn't provide enough to meet his needs so he opted out of social security just to survive. What will he receive when he is in his 60s? Nothing. Yet another reason to start a 403(b) account.

It is time that the church step up and meet the responsibilities we have to our pastors, teachers, and missionaries. We are called to provide and to provide well for them. Do you love your pastor? If so, take the steps necessary to provide for him. We'd love the opportunity to assist your church in taking these steps. Contact us if you'd like our help.

For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? (1 Corinthians 9:9-12)