Should those who take the lead in congregations be paid for their services?

Question

If, YES, explain your reason and please include any scriptures to back your thoughts.

I know that many already do get paid, but do you feel like they should?

Answer 1

Yes.

1Ti 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

1Co 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

Deu 25:4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.

Answer 2

Yes, they should. They are doing a full time work and deserve to be compensated for it. Reasons from the Scripture:
1) In the Old Testament the priests (the Levites) lived off of the offerings of the people. It was clearly the God-ordained way. Proof of this is throughout the book of Leviticus.
2) The words of Christ, "The workman is worthy of his hire (Matthew 10:10)". He was speaking of those He was sending out to preach-in other words, those who preached deserve to be taken care of.
3) The writings of Paul, "For the scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox that treads the corn. And the laborer is worthy of his reward (1 Timothy 5:18)." "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your carnal things (1 Corinthians 9:11)?"
The teaching of the Scripture is thus clear-it is right for ministers to be financially supported by their congregations.

Answer 3

No pay. However, if they buy something that is part of an activity or dinner for the entire congregation (or ward, as I would call it as a Mormon), they should be reimbursed out of the activity budget. We believe all of our Priesthood holders and leaders should have a job on their own, just like everyone else. In the case of our top Church leaders, where most of the men are as much as 20 or 30 years past retirement age, I believe their travel expenses are reimbursed, and the president of the Church is allowed to live in an apartment close to Church headquarters (Pres. Hinckley turned 96 last month). Scriptures we use to support our position include Alma 30:32-33, where Alma the Younger tells a critical man named Korihor that "Thou knowest that we do not glut ourselves upon the labors of this people; for behold I have labored even from the commencement of the reign of the judges until now, with mine own hands for my support, notwithstanding my many travels round about the land to declare the word of God unto my people. And notwithstanding the many labors which I have performed in the church, I have never received so much as even one senine (Nephite unit of money measurement) for my labor; neither has any of my brethren, save it were in the judgment-seat; and then we have received only according to law for our time." This scripture is found in the Book of Mormon. In the case of missionaries, most of them I know are required to earn something between $1,000 and the entire cost of their missions, or in the case of the family not being able to support them, the ward (or congregation) is allowed to contribute. All of this hearkens back to the New Testament and missionaries traveling without "purse or scrip" - in other words, they are not there to make money, and they should be more dependent on the Lord. Have a happy day!

Answer 4

Jesus didn't get paid, neither did the early apostles. We don't have any record of Moses receiving money for his work, nor any of the other Old Testament prophets. I belong to a congregation that believes that we all work together, the pastor has an outside job and by working together we can make it so he isn't overwhelmed. We share time as instructors, we look after each other, by working together, no one gets paid for living like Jesus ('cause why should we get paid for doing what He did for free?).

Answer 5

Deu 14:29 And the Levite,(because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.

in this scripture they talk about the Levite, the had no land but were supported with food, shelter and even gold. it is called a tithe a 1/10 part of all income ( food, water, made goods, and gold.) the best parts were burned for God and His glory and the remaining was used to maintain the Levite. 3 things of Note -
#1. Levite stayed at the local temples
#2. Levite devoted there whole lives to God alone and his works
#3. Levite owned nothing at all! not even there robes and undergarments.

the Question
Should those who take the lead in congregations be paid for their services?
if they are 100% devoted then yes.
if there Sundays for 2 services and Wednesday nights, and a few church functions they are tithing time and they owe 1/10 of there day /week/month/year, automatically

1 day = 24 hrs, 6 days = 144 hrs, 52 weeks in a year = 7488 hrs
( 6 day work week keep one day holy ) 748.8 hrs unto The Lord.

The Lord gives us each day that we may Glorify Him and His works.

Answer 6

Depends, if they only "Lead" on sunday morning then no, but if that is what they do say in and day out, yes because sometimes it gets hard. They are not always able to hold another job while visting everyone who is sick and calling prayer chain and getting sermons ready. That is what they got into. They gave their life to God to use. Not if they get paid a lot that is a different story. they are taking advantage of you.

Answer 7

I think a pastor should be compensated (my daddy was a preacher) because they have a 24 hour a day job as a pastor (they get calls in the middle of the night and are expected to handle situations as they arise). But as far as the other people in the church, I think it depends on their role within the church. Is it a full time ministry or are they doing this in addition to their other job?

Answer 8

Yes. Our pastor oversees three different churches, and it is a full-time job for him. He devotes his life to serving us all. He also has a family of his own to take care of, and is administrator over the Tri-state Ministerial Association. Where would he have time for a regular paying job?
As for Jesus not getting paid...HE didn't need to. He was supported by several working women, of which included; Joanna, and Susanna, Mary Magdalene, to name a few. (The disciples were tradesmen also, tent makers, fishermen, etc).

Answer 9

If you are serving God from your HEART...He will bless you with more than money could ever buy. Its not about money, its about God. Most Pastors are the heads of the Church and then others are under them...so its up to the pastor to ensure all of the Churches needs are met. I'm sure after every need is met, there is left over for the pastor in which he is able to use for his own pleasure.

Answer 10

No. Just as Jesus came to serve, not to be served, people in leadership positions in the church are serving the rest of the congregation and the community at large. My husband and I have served on the boards and committees in our church, lead worship, etc. and wouldn't dream of asking for compensation. It is part of being a Christian in a community of believers to be of service to others.