I love God, however I'm not wanting to make someone's car payment for them. Preachers can work like the rest of us.
2006-10-23 06:49:45 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hi Larry, preacher here.
I have a feeling that you are not very familiar with the workings of the church. You see, when you are a preacher (or pastor, like me) you have a full time (or sometimes part-time) job. Preachers don't just get up on Sunday mornings and ramble off some random things that have been bugging them for a week. We actually prayerfully consider what God would like for our congregations to hear.
There are many other things that pastors do on top of preaching. We visit the sick and shut ins. We lead or at least take part in many Bible studies every week. We work with youth. We work with children. We work with seniors. We work, and we get paid.
As for asking for money, I happen to pastor a very generous church, and so I don't have to do it. God has already laid it on their hearts, so I can concentrate on other things.
One more thing that you need to know is that only a small percentage of the dollars given to a church during a collection go into a pastor's pocket. That money is also used to pay bills (we have lights, heat, air conditioning and everything!) and, more importantly, to help spread the Gospel around the world. It feeds the hungry, heals the sick, gives hope to the hopeless.
My prayer for people who think that "organized religion" is evil is that they would actually walk into a church, and see what God is up to.
God Bless
2006-10-23 07:00:27 · answer #1 · answered by I'll Try 3 · 7⤊ 3⤋
Preachers of God's word need to follow the Bible's command found at Matthew 10:8--" freely ye received, freely give." It is good when a minister lets the congregation know what is needed in the way of donations to further the ministry and to keep the congregation going. Collection plates should never be passed in front of people, for not all can give as others can and this can cause some to feel badly. Consider what Jesus said at Matthew 6:3--"But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing," New KJV
No one needs to see what you give. That should be between you and God. The apostles were great ministers, and they also had jobs to support themselves. Even Jesus worked as a carpenter. Ministers should follow the example of the early Christians--never charge for sermons or any service performed in God's behalf, and maintain secular employment to support themselves and their families. This way the congregation is not put under more financial burden.
2006-10-23 07:16:06 · answer #2 · answered by Micah 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
OK, this question is ridiculous. Realistically you have to understand that it does take time to prepare a sermon, oversee and attend whatever activities the church has going on, etc. Even though it is a church their are utility bills and God doesn't just make everything free for the preacher.
It is good that a Preacher has to get his pay from his church members. It is a way that his parishoners can directly contribute to his success and the success of the church or bring it all to an end if they are not happy with his work. So, I believe that the best preachers will be those who do not have an additional job but those who are the mercy of both God and their church.
2006-10-23 07:01:16 · answer #3 · answered by bluzmelody 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
If a preacher puts more focus on raising money than feeding souls, find a different church!
I am especially offended at the "prosperity doctrine." That is when the preacher claims the more money you give to the church, the more money God will give to you! The gospel should NEVER be used as a "get rich quick" scheme!
My father was a preacher & believe me - HE WORKED!!
Do you think those sermons just pop up out of no where? Dad would study all week for his sermons & I would help him memorize his note (which came in handy one time when the electricity went out & he couldn't read his notes)
Nothing quite like getting a phone call at 3AM to rush to the side of someone dying. He also provided a lot of free counseling. (church people have problems, too, you know)
Not all the money dropped in the plate goes to the preacher. If the congregation gets too large for the builing it meets in, the need to add on or build a brand new building. That costs money.
Money also goes to help poor in the community, for kids' programs, senior programs, missionaries, etc.
If you have doubts about your church, find out specifically where the money goes. If you think they not being good stewards of the churches money, find a different church. Or donate your money straight to charities you believe in. Food banks, missionaries, building funds, etc.
2006-10-23 07:06:29 · answer #4 · answered by Smart Kat 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
They do. The bible tells us to give to the church Tythe). It also says to bring offerings to the poor. My preachers job is a very important one. You should look what they do all day for the church then you might feel more willing to give a little for the building you are praying in on Sundays, for the children of the people who clean the church, for the preacher's family and all the councilling and gathering they do in the name of God. They work from the time they wake up in the morning until bed. I'm sure they work harder than you, all to bring a message to you on sunday and to take care of the spiritual needs of the church.
2006-10-23 07:06:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
God told them to. It is a test. In this world we expect specialization, wouldn't you expect the same from a pastor? If we make him spend all his time researching the sciptures for us durring the week, do we expect him and his family to starve?
Elders who do their work well should be paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.
For the Scripture says, "Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain." And in another place, "Those who work deserve their pay!"
1st Timothy 5:17,18
2006-10-23 07:07:00 · answer #6 · answered by Jay Z 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not all preachers ask for money, but you have a point, the majority of them do, especially in the Christian churches. Money gives them power and status and even in the eyes of God. I think many of the preachers find the more money they can obtain the more powerful their sanctuaries of god become. So, as they develop more power through cash transactions, they feel they are more fully able to pave God's highway in the world. It is a catch-22 in today's society. Is is because we live in a materialistic world that preachers need to have money to gain power, or is it the preachers greed and need for power that drives attaining the money?
2006-10-23 06:55:18 · answer #7 · answered by Angelina 1 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Preachers do work! I swear!! Do you think they only work on Sunday's??? Not true! Plus at our church we have a board of directors that keep control of everything. All financial info is available to members.
My pastor has lived in the same small house that he and his wife had when they married and share a car.
2006-10-23 06:56:33 · answer #8 · answered by Alison 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
God seems to want us to give something to His work as way to showing our appreciation for all that he does for us. Those who work in a secular job besides ministering as a church leader don't have the opportunity to give more to needs of their congregation. While those who are supported by the congregation can give all their time to the needs of the congregations.
2006-10-23 07:02:28 · answer #9 · answered by brother g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Preachers DO work. Operating a church is not free. Could you operate a church if eveyone gave what YOU gave each month? Yes, in effect, you DO make the Preacher's care payment, because I'm sure he [she] pays it from their salary. Our church believes in tithing [10%]. That is the only source of income that we have. The budget is based on what is received in the weekly offerings.
2006-10-23 06:53:14 · answer #10 · answered by Char 7 · 7⤊ 2⤋