Shouldn't church positions be on a volunteer basis?

Question

Don't you think the church would be much more honest and more benefitial if the priests, preachers etc. were volenteers?

Answer 1

i am not a christian however , i do agree that we all need to eat and pay bills etc
now unless these preachers etc had day jobs how they gonna do that ?

Answer 2

Yes, it should and it is in the Mormon church. There is no paid clergy in the church. Those officiating in the church hold regular jobs just like everyone else. In addition to those jobs which bring in the money to pay the bills and such, we also hold volunteer callings. Everything from Bishop (similar to a preacher) to Nursery Leader (for 6 month olds - 18 month olds) to every other calling in the church. It is more honest and beneficial to all concerned. Every so often you get released from one calling and called to another. Sometimes you get a break with no calling, but only for a short time. When you know everyone is doing their best, it helps to put things in perspective. I may not do everything in my calling when someone expects it done, but there's usually a good reason and since it's volunteered time, people are usually much more understanding. As for our Bishops (again, similar to preachers in other Christian faiths), they generally volunteer a large chunk of their free time to their calling. I've heard as much as 70 hours a week. However, one thing that is different is that the Bishop doesn't give a sermon every Sunday. Two or three members are asked to prepare a talk every Sunday. Occasionally the Bishop will get up and speak, but it's usually rare.

Answer 3

First of all I am not a minister but the daughter of a minister. A minister that was not paid by the church I might add. Here is what I have seen.

When you are a minister you spend hours studying for each service. You are on call 24/7 and people expect you to be available. Available to come to their home, hospital, family members hospital room whatever. You must always be encouraging and polite even if treated rudely, etc. You are the answer man/woman. When their is a financial need etc. it is within your abilities to come up with ideas, resources, etc. If you pray for someone and they are not immediately restored it is looked at as your fault or Gods - whom you represent. Not only are you on call your family gets dragged into it as well. You are expected to be strength when someone you hold dear has died or is sick. You are expected to perform marriages that you feel may not be the will of God for the couple. You put up with people judging your every move and talking behind your back. People who will sit through a sporting event with enthusiasm and excitement sit and look at you like there is no way they are gonna get happy. I dare you to make me happy.

Being a minister is a calling because it requires unconditional love and forgiveness. It intrudes on every part of your life. You are watched on all sides by the critical and Heaven forbid you step into Victoria's Secret!!!!!!!!

And do you know what? A minister that is called of God does all this and more because He loves God and he loves his flock. He does it as an act of love and service.

Now tell me. why shouldn't a Minister of God who gives everything he has 24/7 have the pay that is due him. When you go to work - and you leave work you are more then likely done. No one intrudes on your personal time and life. You may not even give 100 % while you are there. But you expect your pay check. They owe it to you!

As a ministers daughter - I have seen my father go to the hospital with little gas in the car because he has to make ends meet too but he will be wherever needed when there is a need. What would happen if he got laid off? There are a lot of expenses a minister has to be able to be there for you.

Kathy

Answer 4

I think the Biblical model comes from the Levite tradition. One in twelve is paid one-tenth of the income from each of the others so that he can support himself just as well as they can.

I think that's a reasonable way to do things even today, and you would end up with a more personal Bible-Study than a church organization like we know it. Plus, if the preacher is paid a portion from each, in this way, he would make about the same income as the others, and be more able to understand their social class issues.

I say that we should let people who lead churches be free to lead a group by paying them, so they don't have the distraction of other pursuits. Let leaders devote some time to studying and teaching and not just to administration.

Answer 5

1) Volunteer basis: Actually, I think it would be dangerous if priests, ministers, etc. were volunteers. Most (notice, most) ministers are called into ministry from God Himself. So many times I hear of ministers who came into ministry "kicking and screaming". But in their obedience to God (or after enough closed doors), they followed. Ministry is really not for everyone...it has to be a calling. The dangerous ones are those who wake up one morning and decide to be a minister.

1b) But as for not being paid...it's an interesting concept, and some are called to do such, but others are called to leave the secular world of work and work solely for the church. In that case, they should be paid (1 Timothy 5:18)

Also, keep in mind...ministers do so much more than preach only on Sundays. They plan & organize, do hospital visits, disciple, minister to, put together Bible Studies, often times there are more than one service throughout the week, meetings with committees, street evangelism, come on here and answer people's questions about faith and religions, personal studies, mentor, network with other churches and such, computer work, pray for people in the congregation, the country, the world, family members...basically everybody (that's part of their job, too), set up programs...not to mention that it's really a life-gig, not 9-5.
And it's also emotionally and spiritually draining by being in such a position, because some oppose you and your message, and others have different opinions on the concept of a "successful ministry".

2) As for the honesty, ministers are called to be shepherds and to demonstrate Christ in every aspect (even though they too are human). But if they're not being honest, then God's got them in His crosshairs, for they will be judged with greater strictness since people are listening to them. (James 3:1)

Answer 6

May I ask you if you truly believe that the church is about spreading the teachings of Jesus? No! the church is about power first and foremost. The church's roots is riddled with such thievery, cruelty and deceit all done in the name of God. According to the scriptures, Jesus did not travel with a caravan of camels carrying the possessions of his disciples. In reality he had no change of garments. In fact I wonder how many times he had a bath in a week. Now compare that to the church; The majestic cathedrals and the fine robes of the Bishops. Ask yourself this question: If Jesus returned to earth, would he approve of all these things that were done for his glory when there are so many poor people in the world? If he wanted places of worship to be built, why did he not have one built to his glory while he was still alive? John the Baptist was a hermit covered in rags and he was the for runners who preached the coming of the Messiah. Because of all this, I totally agree with you.

Answer 7

You get what you pay for. Paul tells us some simple truths about this, and he didn't want a dime from those around him:

"You know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple and that those who serve at the altar get their share of its offerings, don't you? In the same way, the Lord has ordered that those who proclaim the gospel should make their living from the gospel." (I Corinthians 9:1)

"Elders who handle their duties well should be considered worthy of double compensation, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox while it is treading out grain," and "A worker deserves his pay." (I Timothy 5:17-18)

Actually, in most churches that I am aware of, most of the non-pulpit ministry is performed by volunteers. But those whose job it is to equip the saints fro ministry deserve the pay to do it full time, since it is a full-time job, whether it comes with pay or not.

Answer 8

Catholic priests do not have free time like you and I to have another job. The priesthood is their life. We Catholics have daily Mass, and several on Sunday. There is Bible study, religion classes, youth groups, choir practices, marriage classes, retreats, different Catholic clubs and a church office to be maned. We also have confession on Saturday which takes up to at least 5 hours. When would a priest find the time for all of this, a job, and emergency calls from hospitals and sick people?

Answer 9

Will might be. but first u have to be loyal and passionaite and be quiet sure u have been called and that u have a good future in the work of the Church or ministry. Also Priests and Preachers need to have a relationship with God and not volunteer coz they think it's somekind of charity.

Answer 10

The pastors job is to counsel people, pray for the sick, feed the hungry, clothe people, perform marriages, teach people about Jesus Christ. The only way that a pastor gets money for running a church and doing these things is by obtaining money and items from their community.
If a Pastor did not have a church or community then they would not get a salary. So in reality they are volunteering their services.

Answer 11

How would they survive if they were a full time hands on minister? I do believe that you should not go into the profession looking to live large. You should have a servants heart and be ready to go the extra mile. However, in my church, my pastor is at work and available 7 days a week. But he tithes like we do, he doesn't take anything extra and even donated his proceeds from a book that he wrote back to the church. But he is in the ministry truly because he is called to do it.