Should priest and pastors have regular jobs and only donate their time at church?

Question

Instead of getting paid? Would there be a shortage of priest/pastors?

Answer 1

First of all, I'm a bit biased because I'm a youth director (a similar role in a different kind of church would be a youth pastor).

I'm full time, and paid.


There are some smaller churches that truly do not require a full time pastor. I had a friend who's dad was a barber, and pastored their church ... but then there were only 25 people in that church.

The church I currently am a part of has nearly 2,000 members. When a church gets to a certain size, it has to have full time staff because it becomes a full time job. I supposed you could say that a very large group of volunteers could do it, but the problem with that is that there has to be someone coordinating them ... and then you work back in to having to have a full time staff member again.


This is not an 8 to 5 job. If I were here at 8 in the morning, every morning ... I would be working about 13 hours a day 6 days out of the week. There is so much that I have to do in order to organize programs, bible studies, fellowship events ... let alone then actually being at them.
It's very challenging, and very time consuming. And that doesn't even begin to start with actually having time to mentor kids, listen to problems, be there at important events.

It's a lot. A whole lot.

I would also like to say something about this response:

"If there is a shortage of pastors, it is only because there is a shortage of honest religious leaders. People wouldn't go into the industry to get rich like they do now and there would probably be a lot more truth in advertising religion. "

Get rich? In my town, there are about 12 youth pastors. Of the 12 of us that I know of, only 3 of us are at the median income level of $23,000 a year for our town.
Half of us are below the poverty line.
This isn't a get rich type of job. This is a 'ok, how are we going to pay the gas bill this month' type of job.

I have a wife and 2 kids. If I had to have a job away from my position as Youth Director ... honestly ... I would never see them.

Answer 2

There is already a shortage of Pastors.
I work closely with the Pastor at my church, and see the shortage of time that they deal with. Many people have needs that they expect the Pastor to fill. They don't all seem to want to stay in the same extended living facility, although they all want to have the Pastor come and see them. For some reason when people pass away the family would like to have the Pastor from their church come to the funeral home then perform the funeral at the church. These activities cut into a full-time gainful employment. I don't know about your job but mine frowns on me missing work during the normal work week for non-work related business. If I didn't show up regularly they would find someone that will.
I am finishing school in the ministry now to become a Pastor and teacher. When I am done I will work in a High School where I can motivate students to become Pastors. And teach religious theology to students.
I have been the Chairman of the Board of Elders for many years and know what the people demand of the Pastors of a congregation, and what the other church workers can do to help. Many people demand much from their Pastor and contribute very little to their church. Money is not always the answer to the problems that the church has to contend with on a weekly basis. If more people donated their time to the church things would operate more smoothly.

God Bless

Answer 3

Unfortunately - for those of us practicing minority religions -- this is what we have to do (i.e. have regular jobs and donate off time to the temple). Sure, being a priest is a full time job, but in my religion we don't have the luxery of it being a paid position. I'm not sure priests should be paid for performing the spiritual part of their job. Then again, our temple only serves about 150 people and I put in 40-50 additional hours a week on top of my regular 50 hour a week job. Maybe for maintaining the church (since most priests have to do all the church maintenance and scheduling etc...)? That seems reasonable. But not for performing sacred rites, IMO. Myself and my congregation get along fine. They know how to get ahold of me (and the other priest) if there's an emergency. Honestly, I don't think there would be a shortage because many of us who go into the priesthood (in my religion anyway) do so because we genuinely want to help others.

Answer 4

The majority of pastors have jobs outside the church. They are not able to devote the time needed to do their ministry well. It would be far better if all churches could financially support their pastor. I am sure it is similar for most denominations, but in the Baptist denomination they prefer their pastors to have a college degrees as well as a Master of Divinity from a Seminary. This requires at least 7-10 years of school. Most pastors make less than minimum wage. They usually put in about 70+ hours per week in ministry. Those who are forced to take a secular job, do not have that much time to devote.
So, for priest I can not speak, but for pastors-it is tragic for them to have to work outside the church. Sermon preparation alone for 3 sermons per week can take 60 hours. When you hear a preacher who can not preach-he is probably working a full time job away from church to support his family.

Answer 5

I feel that a church should support their pastor. Pastoring a church is a full time obligation that takes more than most people could even imagine. Our congregation is small and so our pastor works a full time job. I would love to see our church grow enough that we could support our pastor full time.

Shortage of pastors? Not if they are truly a servant of God.

Answer 6

I so agree! I think pastors and religious people who try to tell everyone else how to live, should live like everyone else as the primary example and their services should be voluntary just as they ask regular people to volunteer.

If there is a shortage of pastors, it is only because there is a shortage of honest religious leaders. People wouldn't go into the industry to get rich like they do now and there would probably be a lot more truth in advertising religion.

Answer 7

It depends on the size of the church, if the church can't support the pastor then he obviously needs to get a side job. But if a church can support the pastor then they should so he can focus on the church instead of having to find spare time to come up with a sermon.

Answer 8

do it the way paul said to do it, and you've hit the nail on the head. Maybe it's time for a shortage, since Christ is the priest and pastor of his flock

Answer 9

Advice...step into the pastor's shoes for a week.
If you work, take a week off and ask to shadow a local pastor for a week so that maybe you can see what full time job being a servant of God is.
They don't just work and 8 -5 workday. They are committed to serving God 24/7.
Walk the walk for a week and then come back and talk the talk.

Answer 10

The problem is they would have the choice between feeding their families and doing full time ministry. I dont know whether oyu know this or not but every minister Ive ever talked to works 50-60 hours per week and is completely devoted to their ministry. They earn every penny and the Bible says to pay the workers their due wage!