Pastoral Remuneration - Giving (Part 4)

Pastoral Remuneration What the Bible Teaches Context: last in a series of 5 messages 1. Luke 16:1-15: Shrewd stewards maximize present, temporary, fiduciary assets for future, eternal, personal benefit. 2. 2 Corinthians 8:9: Christ’s becoming poor that we might become rich is the supreme example of generosity. 3. Principled Giving: • God is not a beggar (Psalm 50:10-12). • God doesn’t want certain money (e.g., 1 Timothy 3:8). • God wants willing giving (2 Corinthians 9:7) 4. Questions on tithing, the widow’s 2 mites, “poverty-giving," etc. Why a sermon on pastoral remuneration? 1. Financially important • 53.7% of next year’s budget = senior pastor’s salary • 67% of next year’s budget = staff salaries 2. Theologically important: Can a church genuinely love God and knowingly under-pay its pastor? 1 John 3:17–18 (ESV) But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?18Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. What is remuneration? "payment for work or services" https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/remuneration. accessed 28 July 2022 What does the Bible teach about pastoral remuneration? 1. Obligation: Vocational pastors ought to be remunerated. 2. Necessities: Pastoral remuneration should adequately meet needs. 3. Honour: Pastoral pay should show honour. Caveat 1: All Christians are ministers, but not all Christians minister for their vocation. 1 Corinthians 14:26 (ESV) What then, brothers? When you [plural] come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) As each has received a gift, use it to serve [lit. minister] one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: Caveat 2: Paying a pastor well does not make us Christians. • flows out of the Gospel • does not replace the Gospel 1 John 3:16–18 (ESV) By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1. Vocational pastors ought to be remunerated. 1 Timothy 5:17–18 (ESV) Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” A. The OT “from-the-lesser-to-the-greater” argument 1 Timothy 5:18 (ESV) For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” Deuteronomy 25:4 (ESV) “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.” What is the point of this verse? 1) God is generous, and 2) He forbids our selfish instinct to be stingy with those who serve us—including labouring animals. God’s universe operates on the principle of positively incentivizing the worker. 1 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV) Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? God did not put Deuteronomy 25:4 in the Bible primarily for illiterate oxen. 1 Corinthians 9:8–10 (ESV) Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake . . . God put Deuteronomy 25:4 in the Bible primarily to give hope to human workers. 1 Corinthians 9:9–12 (ESV) For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. Deuteronomy 25:4 applies even to spiritual workers. 1 Corinthians 9:10–11(ESV) Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? Deuteronomy 25:4 is not a suggestion, but a worker’s right. 1 Corinthians 9:6, 12 (ESV) Or is it only Barnabas and I [Paul] who have no right to refrain from working for a living? . . . 12If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? While Christian workers often lay down their right to remuneration in a missionary context, it is still their right. 1 Corinthians 9:12 (ESV) If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. How do missionaries fund their mission work when they lay down their right to financial remuneration? 2 Corinthians 11:8 (ESV) I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. Philippians 4:15–16 (ESV) And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. B. The logic of pastoral pay 1) All workers deserve compensation. “The laborer deserves his wages.” (1 Tim. 5:18c). Deuteronomy 24:14–15 (ESV) “You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns. 15You shall give him his wages on the same day, before the sun sets (for he is poor and counts on it), lest he cry against you to the LORD, and you be guilty of sin. The logic of pastoral pay 1) All workers deserve compensation. 2) Pastors are workers. “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (v. 17) What do pastors do all week? What Do Pastors Do All Week? “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (v. 17) •preach (Sunday AM, Sunday PM, Wednesday PM) •teach (youth group, Religious education classes) •Bible studies •prepare for preaching/teaching •pray for congregation •visit people in hospital, elderly, discouraged, visitors •counseling/ on-to-one meetings (prep. = reading, role-playing) What Do Pastors Do All Week? “Let the elders who rule [lit. lead, direct] well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (v. 17) •funerals (5-20+ hours) •weddings (20+ hours) •rosters •forward planning (budget, church calendar, preaching series, etc.) •camp (get location, plan, advertise, collect $, buy food, set-up, run, pack-up) •community relations (gov’t, parachurch ministries, individuals, other pastors) •coordinate people (e-mails, texts, phone calls) •evangelize B. The logic of pastoral pay 1) All workers deserve compensation. 2) Pastors are workers. 3) Pastors deserve compensation. “The laborer deserves his wages.” (1 Tim. 5:18c) 1 Corinthians 9:13–14 (ESV) Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. What does the Bible teach about pastoral remuneration? 1. Vocational pastors ought to be remunerated. 2. Pastoral remuneration should adequately meet needs. 3. Pastoral pay should show honor. 2. Pastoral remuneration should adequately meet needs. Pastors should not be “in need” if the church is of sufficient size and resources. Titus 3:13 (ESV) Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. What does “see that they lack nothing” not refer to? • coveting the congregation’s material wealth Acts 20:33–34 (ESV) I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. • desiring shameful gain 1 Peter 5:2 (ESV) shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; Thieves rob flashy New York preacher of $1m in jewellery during online sermon Lamor Miller-Whitehead, known for his flamboyant style, was delivering a livestreamed service when three robbers walked in https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jul/25/new-york-preacher-robbed-jewelry-livestream. accessed 31 July 2022 Does the salary we offer our pastor “lack nothing” for our area? 1. Anonymously poll the congregation for their salaries. 2. Remove the retired, unemployed, students, and part-time salaries. 3. Remove the bottom 20% and the top 20% of salaries. 4. Average the middle 60% of the full-time salaries. 5. Does your pastor’s salary meet the average of the middle 60%? If so, it will normally be enough for a pastor of modest spending habits to “lack nothing” in your area. What does the Bible teach about pastoral remuneration? 1. Vocational pastors ought to be remunerated. 2. Pastoral remuneration should adequately meet needs. 3. Pastoral pay should show honour. 1 Timothy 5:17–18 (ESV) Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” What does the Bible mean by honour? • the amount at which something is valued, price, value • manifestation of esteem, honor, reverence • honor conferred through compensation, honorarium, compensation William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 1005. Honour in 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1:17 (ESV) To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 5:3–4 (ESV) Honor widows who are truly widows. 4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 1 Timothy 6:1 (ESV) Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 1 Timothy 6:16 (ESV) who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. Honour connects to needs. Acts 28:10 (ESV) They [the people of Malta] also honored us [Paul and Luke] greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. Application: We show what what/whom we honor by how we use our money. Your credit card statement and your bank statement reveal the people, the projects, and the causes you actually honour. Honour and God and my money Malachi 1:6–8 (ESV) “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the LORD’s table may be despised. 8When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts. Proverbs 3:9–10 (ESV) Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. What does honouring your pastor not look like? 1. Speaking of my pastor in terms as if he were already sinless. 2. Funding an extravagant life-style for my pastor. 3. Talking about paying pastor well but then not following through. 4. Not meeting my pastor’s legitimate material needs even though 1) I have the means to meet them and 2) finding some spiritual reason not to meet his needs. Reasons Churches Use for Not Remunerating Their Pastors with Honour 1. We don’t want out pastor to get proud. “We’ll keep him poor, and God will keep him humble.” 2. If he is a man of faith, God will provide for him. 3. We’re underpaying him to see if he’s greedy for filthy lucre. 4. We’re saving money for our building program. 5. We pay our pastor as little as possible to give as much as possible to missions. 6. Pastors don’t really work that much during the week. They just get up and talk 2-3 times a week. 7. We don’t need to pay a full-time wage for his full-time work since he has other sources of income (e.g., his wife’s job, investments, super, honorariums, etc.) What does honouring your pastor look like? 1. Coming to the AGM/business meeting where his salary will be discussed and voted on. 2. Researching the cost of living in your area. 3. Discovering what other churches and denominations pay their pastors with similar levels of education and ministry experience. 4. Quantifying your pastor’s present workload based on the current congregation’s needs and expectations. 5. Considering if his hourly wage communicates honour for his time. 6. Calculating whether his annual wage increase even keeps up with inflation. 7. Investing in him as a person and as a minister. What does honouring your pastor look like when the church can’t provide a full-time wage? 1. Using non-cash means to meet needs and to show honour. 2. Giving one-time gifts rather than do nothing. 3. Prioritising your pastor’s salary when the funds do come in. 4. Being extra sensitive to your pastor’s time and his need to earn outside income. What could my pastor earn elsewhere? •disability support worker: $35-40 hour •produce manager at Coles: $70,000+ •1st year police constable (QLD): $78,554 •Baptist Union Church: $94,992.04 (includes super) •1st year QLD teacher: $75,471 https://teach.qld.gov.au/teach-in-queensland-state-schools/pay-benefits-andincentives/pay-and-benefits. accessed 22 July 2022 Leave entitlements and benefits of QLD teachers •sick leave •long service leave of 1.3 weeks for each year of continuous service, which can be accessed after 7 years •paid parental leave, including maternity, paternity, surrogacy and adoption leave •leave for study and examination purposes •special leave for absences of specific purposes, such as compassionate grounds, sporting competitions or jury duty •7 years unpaid leave for family responsibility reasons. https://teach.qld.gov.au/teach-in-queensland-state-schools/pay-benefits-and-incentives/ pay-and-benefits. accessed 22 July 2022 Why is a teacher’s salary the salary that Christians have mostoften used as the initial bench mark for a pastor’s salary? Galatians 6:6–10 (ESV) Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Whom should a church ultimately try to honor by the way she remunerates her pastor? 3 John 6 (ESV) who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. (NIV) They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God.