Affording a Pastor

[Rowan Gosnal-Tyler]

Sorry if this is in the wrong category- my first time.

I am a member, and elder, of an independent reformed Baptist church in England. We have had a very difficult few years where a number of members left. I was not an officer at the time and had just got back from my honeymoon! Long story short, I was put forward by the remaining members to be the treasurer and serve on an interim steering committee as the officers also left. The steering committee was made up of a retired minister and two elders of local churches we are in fellowship with, along with myself and another member of the church. Our main task was to provide leadership and to search for a pastor. Recently the steering committee recommended myself and one other to the members as elders and the members agreed unanimous. The steering was subsequently disbanded, but the individuals still provide support to myself and the other elder. We are still looking for a full time minister, however our income is pretty poor and would not be able to cover the stipend of a full time pastor. It currently wouldn't even cover a third. We do have reserves which we can use for a couple of years. The congregation has been growing in the last year, thanks be to God and we are seeing fruit from the sowing over the past few years. It has been hard going. We are beginning to see some of this growth turn into membership, but would like more of that. What have not yet seen is an increase to the finances. As the treasurer I am overly aware of this, however my fellow elder and external elders do not see that as an issue and believe the Loes will provide. I do agree that the Lord will provide, however I do believe we need to be good stewards and be wise with what we have. Employing a pastor knowing we have seriously depleted funds and income seems to me bad stewardship towards an incoming pastor whom we have a duty to provide for comfortablely. I do not want to resist what God can do and therefore act in unbelief and wondered what fellow elders/pastors think of this issue and if they have experienced it before?

 

[iainduguid]

Hi Rowan,
I sympathize with your church's tough situation. It could be a great step of faith to commit the church's reserves trusting God to grow the church sufficiently in two years to cover the full cost of a pastor, but it could also be presumptuous - it's quite a big gap to fill. Have you thought about some creative alternatives that might help to bridge the gap:

1) Is there a retired minister who might be willing to fill the gap for a couple of years for partial pay? Praying that the church would grow to the point where he could hand it off to another younger pastor?

2) Is there someone who can start out as a bi-vocational pastor? That's not easy (I know, having done that) but it's not impossible, especially for a limited period of time. As God grows the church, hopefully he can then become full time - but we may be headed into a period where more churches in the UK can't afford a full time pastor.

3) Can you find a man whose wife is able to work to help support the family (without neglecting the children)? I know of one setting in a small church where I suspect it was able to work because she was a headmistress of a local school (their children were grown).

4) Can you find someone who is still training to be a pastor, for whom a part time pastorate (mentored by the elders) would be a great blessing, hoping that by the time he graduates, you might be able to afford him?

5) Can you find someone willing to raise support? If churches send money to support pastors on the mission field overseas, why not at home also?

None of these are perhaps ideal, but they are ways of stepping out in faith without potentially plunging your church off a cliff (in faith). Of course, God would have to supply the right man, so these steps too require faith.

 

[Challer]

Hi Rowan,
I sympathize with your church's tough situation. It could be a great step of faith to commit the church's reserves trusting God to grow the church sufficiently in two years to cover the full cost of a pastor, but it could also be presumptuous - it's quite a big gap to fill. Have you thought about some creative alternatives that might help to bridge the gap:

1) Is there a retired minister who might be willing to fill the gap for a couple of years for partial pay? Praying that the church would grow to the point where he could hand it off to another younger pastor?

2) Is there someone who can start out as a bi-vocational pastor? That's not easy (I know, having done that) but it's not impossible, especially for a limited period of time. As God grows the church, hopefully he can then become full time - but we may be headed into a period where more churches in the UK can't afford a full time pastor.

3) Can you find a man whose wife is able to work to help support the family (without neglecting the children)? I know of one setting in a small church where I suspect it was able to work because she was a headmistress of a local school (their children were grown).

4) Can you find someone who is still training to be a pastor, for whom a part time pastorate (mentored by the elders) would be a great blessing, hoping that by the time he graduates, you might be able to afford him?

5) Can you find someone willing to raise support? If churches send money to support pastors on the mission field overseas, why not at home also?

None of these are perhaps ideal, but they are ways of stepping out in faith without potentially plunging your church off a cliff (in faith). Of course, God would have to supply the right man, so these steps too require faith.

The gentleman who wrote the original post has asked for advice from pastors and elders, and I am not one, so I will not put forth any new ideas here.

However, to piggyback on what the Professor suggested in #4, you might consider reaching out to the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. I am a last year student there based in the USA and occasionally they will call for students to fill pulpits and meet various needs in circumstances not unlike those you’ve described. It’s possible that they might prayerfully post this out to some of the students of London Reformed Baptist Seminary to assist.

Praying for your church this morning.

 

[iainduguid]

London Theological Seminary would also be a potential source. Given that it's only an hour by train from London to Kettering, there might be some options. Though of course, East Midlands Railway isn't always as reliable as you might wish...

 

[Rowan Gosnal-Tyler]

Thank you both for your input, it is much appreciated and definitely some food for thought there. Thank you.

 

[py3ak]

We've had similar situations come up a couple of times in our churches. I think the financial position needs to be made clear to anyone who would be called as pastor, and also to the congregation. In other words, you might say:
"We would like to call X to be the pastor here. We can pay _______. We have reserves to cover that for _____ months, but unless giving increases will not be able to continue after ______."
That means the incoming pastor is quite clear that his time may be circumscribed; it also means the congregation is quite clear that if they would like to have a pastor, they have to find a way to pay for it.

 

[Challer]

I fear there may be many true churches in the coming years that find themselves in such a predicament. Particularly among the smaller reformed denominations.

May the Lord help us all.

 

[CathH]

Rowan,

Welcome to the board! As a family we're just back from spending a lovely few days holiday near Kettering so it is particularly lovely to hear of a Reformed Baptist presence in the area!

I'm also struck by how relatable your situation is to how we find things down in Brighton. My husband is the pastor of a small Baptist church here and the church is not able to pay a full time stipend. So they pay what they can, and he takes on additional employment, and I work too to bring in some additional income.

Both the church and my husband went into this situation with their eyes open, i.e., the church was upfront about finances when they called him, and he accepted the call in the knowledge of what they would be able to pay him. Simply having a pastor can in its own way be enough to help a congregation to grow to some extent. At the same time, there needs to be ongoing openness too I think within congregations so that the members understand that if they value the ministry they need to do what they can to contribute financially.

A low income will be one factor that a potential pastor will have to take into account when considering a call but when there is a bond between the soon-to-be-pastor and soon-to-be-pastored, it won't be a deal-breaker. There should just be transparency in the discussions.

I suppose you will be aware of Kingdom Bank. They understand about ministry needs and difficulties around (eg) getting a mortgage when one/both of a couple are self-employed or have several income streams.

 

[Polanus1561]

How is the housing situation there in terms of availability and price? If it is decent, then that could be a plus.

 

[iainduguid]

How is the housing situation there in terms of availability and price? If it is decent, then that could be a plus.

A small (by US standards) 3 bed detached house in Kettering would probably set you back in the region of $450,000 (350,000 pounds).

 

[NaphtaliPress]

Requested to reopen.

 

[CathH]

Today I just noticed a review in the Evangelical Times of a book by Jeremy Walker, Providing for Pastors. I haven't seen the actual book, but according to the review, it "gives good, Bible-based help and advice to churches as to how appropriately to care for and remunerate those in paid ministry." The review also says, "Some practical issues are considered, including whether to use fixed formulae for calculating a pastor's salary, whether government benefits should be taken into consideration, and what other allowances should be offered." It's published by EP Books, https://epbooks.org/product/providing-for-pastors/.

Just thought it might offer food for thought for anyone working through the issue of how to employ a pastor with limited funds, presumably with a keen awareness of the UK situation.

 

[Challer]

I have no idea how Pastors get by on so little, particularly those with large families. I’d blush at what my family would cost a congregation. It’s one of the reasons I intend to be a tentmaker if I pursue the ministry.

 

[chuckd]

I have no idea how Pastors get by on so little, particularly those with large families. I’d blush at what my family would cost a congregation. It’s one of the reasons I intend to be a tentmaker if I pursue the ministry.

I doubt making tents is a lucrative endeavor these days.

 

[Challer]

I doubt making tents is a lucrative endeavor these days.

True. But Information Technology fares pretty well.

 

[Polanus1561]

I saw that some churches have set the stipend to be around 26,000 pounds for that region. If that is of any help.

 

[Solparvus]

I have no idea how Pastors get by on so little, particularly those with large families. I’d blush at what my family would cost a congregation. It’s one of the reasons I intend to be a tentmaker if I pursue the ministry.

But if you're called, qualified, and gifted, and you are faithfully preaching and doing work of eternal value, then you and your wife and children (who are also positive blessings to the congregation) will be worth every penny the church would need to shell out.

 

[JOwen]

I can well appreciate the weight of your responsibility as both an elder and the treasurer of your struggling congregation. Indeed, the times you describe are the crucible in which faith is tested, and godly leadership is crucial.
Your situation is not unusual. Many small congregations, the heartbeat of a local community, have felt this burden.
I am in hearty agreement that a church ought to offer a living wage for its minister according to its ability (1 Timothy 5:17-18). As I see it, to promise more than what can be faithfully given is neither honoring to God nor fair to the minister. Your caution as a treasurer is, therefore, not to be easily dismissed...prudence is a Christian virtue, too (Proverbs 22:3).

However, let me add that faith must not be dismissed in the face of fiscal limitations. George Müller of Bristol is a fine example of someone who did not let his faith be limited by what he could see. Financial difficulties must drive us to our knees in prayer, not merely to our accounting books in worry. I echo your fellow elders' sentiment: Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide (Genesis 22:14). Take it to Him in prayer as a congregation, imploring His guidance and provision. At the same time, do not forget that God often provides through ordinary means, including the wise stewardship and generous giving of His people (2 Corinthians 9:7).

You mention growth in membership but not in finances. Perhaps it is time for a biblical exposition on giving for the church. You may challenge the congregation to invest in eternal dividends by contributing to the ministry of the Word. The Macedonian churches in the Scriptures were not wealthy by any means, yet they gave abundantly, “I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; ” (2 Corinthians 8:3).

In practical terms, Dr. Duguid's suggestions are good. Might there be an interim solution? Could you consider a bi-vocational pastor or a retired minister who requires less financial support?

As an elder, you have the twofold task of leading in faith and stewarding with wisdom. Be transparent about the church’s financial situation so that the congregation can join in both the burdens and the blessings. Continue to seek the counsel of the godly men around you, praying that the Lord will provide both the shepherd and the sustenance for His flock.

May the Lord guide you, and may His name be glorified through the trials and triumphs of your congregation.

 

[Solparvus]

However, let me add that faith must not be dismissed in the face of fiscal limitations. George Müller of Bristol is a fine example of someone who did not let his faith be limited by what he could see. Financial difficulties must drive us to our knees in prayer, not merely to our accounting books in worry. I echo your fellow elders' sentiment: Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide (Genesis 22:14). Take it to Him in prayer as a congregation, imploring His guidance and provision. At the same time, do not forget that God often provides through ordinary means, including the wise stewardship and generous giving of His people (2 Corinthians 9:7).

You mention growth in membership but not in finances. Perhaps it is time for a biblical exposition on giving for the church. You may challenge the congregation to invest in eternal dividends by contributing to the ministry of the Word. The Macedonian churches in the Scriptures were not wealthy by any means, yet they gave abundantly, “I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; ” (2 Corinthians 8:3).

Muller is a must-read. He changed everything for me. Through study and experience I've learned the money isn't mine. It's a stewardship which will be taken away someday. That's exactly how Muller treated his funds. For that reason Muller always managed funds wisely and transparently, and did what he could to raise them, but also took seriously that the Lord can and does fund the work that He has commissioned. That's how Muller could exercise faith daily for the Lord to provide. And the Lord provided--daily! We often focus on the how-to's of good stewardship, but it's more flesh-denying to calm and quiet our souls and really believe the Lord to provide.

Yes, Muller!