Pastor salaries.

[DoctorDuck]

Per capita income. I would suspect that in the average home in the zip code the church is located both husband and wife work.

So for example, the zip code where the church is located a combined income is $100,000. Husband makes $50,000 wife makes $50,000.

The pastor should be paid $50,000 and the wife will need to get a job like the rest of the congregation and the zip code the church is located.

If the church pays that man $100,000 or $80,000 there is no way that man will be able to relate to the congregation and or community he is serving.

I’ve seen it and experienced it. The pastor makes double what the homes in the congregation make meaning the wife is able to stay home and the pastor expects the same from the congregation.

And on top of that the pastor teaches to give 10% of the husbands gross income. And expects the wife to homeschool or send the children to the Christian school on one income and don’t Forget the pastor doesn’t pay for his kids to go to the Christian school.

There’s absolutely no way for the pastor to relate to anyone.

I’ve never known a Baptist pastor with a wife who has a full-time paying job. That’s just my experience in life at several different churches (plus the churches of some relatives). I’m aware that there are contradictory examples that exist, but that’s just my experience. I don’t think they think it’s a sin for their wives to have a full-time paying job, but I think it’s a common practice and considered a bit taboo even in the 21st century.

 

[Ransom]

I don’t know exactly what an appropriate pastor’s salary should be, but I’m certain that it should at least be enough to provide for themselves and their families.

It should be proportional to his education, skills, experience, and level of responsibility, and comparable to what other people in his region and profession are being paid with similar skills, experience, etc.

It should also be sufficient that he is able to take care of himself and his family and plan for his future without having to rely on various "allowances" (for housing, car, etc.) that keep him dependent on the continued good graces of his church.

The problem with tying the pastor's salary to "median income" or some similar standard is that it's arbitrary. Suppose Pastor Al's church is near a large college. It may well be that the median income is an arts undergrad who delivers Uber Eats or pulls espressos part-time. Meanwhile, Al's seminary classmate, Pastor Bill, was called to a church of the same denomination and size, but in an affluent suburb full of lawyers and engineers, and does exactly the same work for six figures.

 

[Bruh]

I’ve never known a Baptist pastor with a wife who has a full-time paying job. That’s just my experience in life at several different churches (plus the churches of some relatives). I’m aware that there are contradictory examples that exist, but that’s just my experience. I don’t think they think it’s a sin for their wives to have a full-time paying job, but I think it’s a common practice and considered a bit taboo even in the 21st century.

I’ve never met one in the IFB either. I’ve also never met an IFB pastor to actually be relatable.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

I’ve never met one in the IFB either. I’ve also never met an IFB pastor to actually be relatable.

Our personal experiences, like our opinions, are uniquely ours.

In this area, my opinion and my experience are opposite of yours. I have known many iFB Pastors who were extremely relatable and known many who had wives that worked full time jobs.

 

[subllibrm]

There’s absolutely no way for the pastor to relate to anyone.

I have made less than every pastor I have ever sat under. Great relationships with all of them. Seeing each other as brothers in Christ is the proper way to build relationships. Our congregation runs the gamut of socioeconomic status levels. Relating to all of them has never been a problem for me.

The book of James speaks quite clearly on the subject.

 

[Ransom]

You've got a perverted view of the world if the only way you can "relate" to someone is if you make the same money as he does.

 

[Pierre]

My pastor probably makes more than I do and I'm okay with it.

He's committed himself every single day to being a leader and role model, looking after the flock, nourishing their spiritual needs, and shouldering the weight of caring for so many people within the church community. In contrast, I drive a forklift for a living—it's boring and doesn't come with nearly that much stress.

The laborer is worthy of his wages.

 

[Bruh]

Our personal experiences, like our opinions, are uniquely ours.

In this area, my opinion and my experience are opposite of yours. I have known many iFB Pastors who were extremely relatable and known many who had wives that worked full time jobs.

That makes sense.

 

[Bruh]

You've got a perverted view of the world if the only way you can "relate" to someone is if you make the same money as he does.

I agree 100% with you. The problem is, is that the IFB churches we were in the pastors lived far above the congregation and that caused problems.

For example, when missions came around and the missions giving do not go up but stayed the same we heard about it from the pulpit.

Thats why I say they are not able to relate to the congregation. Things like that. Yes you can have a conversation and relate to them on a gospel level or whatever but when he doesn’t comprehend why missions didn’t go up because he was able to up his giving and has no comprehension as to why the people are not able to give any more that’s a problem.

And when there’s a project in the church and the people are not able to give to the project because they are stretched but he’s able to give and gets behind the pulpit and “preaches” a sermon about trusting God to finish the project in the church he is unable to relate because he makes that much more then the people.

That’s all I’m saying. Does that make sense?

 

[Bruh]

My pastor probably makes more than I do and I'm okay with it.

He's committed himself every single day to being a leader and role model, looking after the flock, nourishing their spiritual needs, and shouldering the weight of caring for so many people within the church community. In contrast, I drive a forklift for a living—it's boring and doesn't come with nearly that much stress.

The laborer is worthy of his wages.

Is it an IFB church?

 

[Bruh]

I have made less than every pastor I have ever sat under. Great relationships with all of them. Seeing each other as brothers in Christ is the proper way to build relationships. Our congregation runs the gamut of socioeconomic status levels. Relating to all of them has never been a problem for me.

The book of James speaks quite clearly on the subject.

I understand that. But if you read my reply to Ransom you’ll understand where I’m coming from much better.

 

[Bruh]

My pastor probably makes more than I do and I'm okay with it.

He's committed himself every single day to being a leader and role model, looking after the flock, nourishing their spiritual needs, and shouldering the weight of caring for so many people within the church community. In contrast, I drive a forklift for a living—it's boring and doesn't come with nearly that much stress.

The laborer is worthy of his wages.

Sounds like you have a good man. You better cherish him.

 

[Pierre]

Is it an IFB church?

Nondenominational.

Sounds like you have a good man. You better cherish him.

Yes, he is. It can be challenging sometimes to find a church led by someone with a genuine heart for pastorship and not someone just going through the motions because it's their job.

 

[Bruh]

Nondenominational.



Yes, he is. It can be challenging sometimes to find a church led by someone with a genuine heart for pastorship and not someone just going through the motions because it's their job.

Were you ever IFB? If so, why did you leave?

 

[Pierre]

Were you ever IFB? If so, why did you leave?

I was once what you would call a "Ruckmanite," and at some point I no longer agreed with the KJVO position. After I left, I bounced around different churches, but ultimately my preference came down to a church that emphasizes expository preaching rather than topical preaching.

 

[subllibrm]

That’s all I’m saying. Does that make sense?

It makes sense only if you have accurately discerned his motives.