Should Pastors/Ministers have additional jobs?

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R

Ralph-

Guest
#21
Unfortunately some flock to the more charismatic [I don't mean spirit filled] of them. Some folks just want to be swept away and are drawn to them like moths to a flame. They are emotionally unbalanced and just want to feel a tug on their heart strings and think it's God.
I'm old enough to remember the original 'charismatic' churches.

Somewhere along in the 90's the community churches got a hold of charismatic worship and made it into what it is today. It's emotional but not spiritual. Generally speaking, of course.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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#23
That's a difficult row to hoe Ralph. People would rather follow tradition and believe as they're told to than to use the sense that God gave them. That shifts the responsibilty like Eve in the garden quipped, 'The serpent beguiled me.'
Regarding the bolded portion... Kudos, CaliBob for quoting it correctly! :) I've seen common sayings butchered too many times.

Regarding the subject of the thread... My view is that the pastor may have another job outside the church, and should do so if the church is unable to support him or her with a full-time salary. This would likely be the case with a new church plant.

I do not believe that Christians are required to tithe, but are called to support the ministry of the word of God. Small churches without denominations to back them simply won't be able to support full-time pastors, and the people should not be pressured to do so.

I have also seen a small-church "pastor" who would only preach - no counseling, teaching, or anything else, who was being paid a full-time salary. I didn't agree with that.
 

OstrichSmiling

Well-known member
Jun 17, 2018
1,027
418
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#25
I think they should have jobs. I think the collection that is received, the tithe, should go to the church itself. And to those who are in the congregation and have need.

What should never happen is a pastor rolling up in a new Rolls Royce having left their mega-mansion to go speak at a so called mega-church that is false from foundation to rooftop.
There are unfortunately many wolves designed like that with expensively appointed churches and custom tailored suits wrapping their frame as they stand and work for but thirty minutes or so for a huge paycheck. While in the pews are people who are out of a job, facing foreclosure, hoping to keep the lights on, wondering how they're going to feed the kids till the next paycheck, etc... And yet that rich person in the pulpit finds a way to interject money, giving, into every sermon so that the poor or barely getting by, feel obliged to give what they can't afford to a man or woman that really doesn't need that money as desperately as the congregant member does.

There are a few TV pastor types that work their whole message around the theme of, give me money!

I know a woman who has two kids. She and her husband work but they were in a bit of a pickle not long ago. Their pride woudln't let them ask friends for a loan so the wife wrote Joyce Meyer and asked if she could help. Marie had been a TV viewer of hers for years. Has all her books. Even sent in offerings for needy causes Meyers would mention from time to time.
Joyce's response was to send her a cheap pamphlet containing scriptures on how to pray for God's bounty in your life. That's a woman who during an IRS audit a few years ago revealed she was gifted a $750,000.00 commode.
To that point I thought commode was the same as toilet. Nope! It's a dresser!
A $750,000.00 dresser. Because a woman who teaches the words of a carpenter who had no place to lay his head needs that.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
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#26
Should Pastors or Ministers have additional jobs or not?
It would depend on a lot of factors, but Paul worked with his hands to support himself and was also an outstanding apostles, preacher, and teacher. That should settle it. Let's stick with biblical examples and biblical principles.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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#28
It would depend on a lot of factors, but Paul worked with his hands to support himself and was also an outstanding apostles, preacher, and teacher. That should settle it. Let's stick with biblical examples and biblical principles.
"That should settle it"... except that you did not mention what Paul taught on the subject. Let's indeed stick with biblical examples and principles... all of them, not just the ones that happen to support our particular viewpoint. :)
 

Mel85

Daughter of the True King
Mar 28, 2018
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#29
I just wondered - what was the size of the congregation.

And do you have an opinion on which pastor was able to serve the
church the best for example sermons, bible studies, pray meetings etc?
The size is around 200-250 members. Compared to others around our region, we’re average sized.

Hmmm, I’d say our Minister that passed away was more active in his role - and pretty much set up our church. Because of his experience with people, he was more a people person but the Minister we have now isn’t as much and more of a theological teacher than a people person.
 
M

Miri

Guest
#30
The size is around 200-250 members. Compared to others around our region, we’re average sized.

Hmmm, I’d say our Minister that passed away was more active in his role - and pretty much set up our church. Because of his experience with people, he was more a people person but the Minister we have now isn’t as much and more of a theological teacher than a people person.

I think I know what you mean.

The first minister at my other church was a people person typical, pastoral person.

The next one was more of a teacher. I must admit I learnt a lot more from the second
guy. He was very studious and spent days on sermons and bible studies.
 

Mel85

Daughter of the True King
Mar 28, 2018
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#31
I think I know what you mean.

The first minister at my other church was a people person typical, pastoral person.

The next one was more of a teacher. I must admit I learnt a lot more from the second
guy. He was very studious and spent days on sermons and bible studies.
Our current one kind of struggles around being a people personality and I understand that everyone is different. I think the main thing is that he’s established this area of his and is trying to make an effort to be more engaged with the members.

Our former one never had that problem because it was his character. His sermons were great and preached in a way with themes that people could relate to. Our current one preachers majority of the time from a theological POV and sometimes I find it hard to understand (and his sermons are preached in my native language) so I’m not sure if it’s my lack of understanding my own native tongue, which sometimes I believe it is, but I always carry a english bible with me so I can refer to it during the sermon.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
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Tennessee
#32
It would depend on a lot of factors, but Paul worked with his hands to support himself and was also an outstanding apostles, preacher, and teacher. That should settle it. Let's stick with biblical examples and biblical principles.
Paul also said that it is right for a congregation to support a pastor financially but he declined such help so as to not be a burden but he had every right to expect support from the church.

2 Thessalonians 3:7-10
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

This is a biblical example and principal as well.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#34
Paul also said that it is right for a congregation to support a pastor financially...
The real issues are much deeper: (1) Elders (which includes pastors) -- according to Scripture -- were from within the congregation, not imported from Rabbinic schools (which would be seminaries today), (2) spiritual qualifications were the only criteria, not academic achievements (as insisted upon today), and (3) elders were NOT employees of the churches (subject to hiring, firing, and moving to other locations), but overseers who remained with the flock as long as God has them in that position. Also ministers were forbidden to take titles such as Rabbi or Father (which today would equate to Reverend and Doctor).

As you can see there has been a wholesale departure from the NT pattern, and a lot more could be said, but it is too late to see any changes in these things.
 

OneFaith

Senior Member
Sep 5, 2016
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#35
I’ve had some recent discussions with others around why Pastors/Ministers of the church should or should not hold down additional jobs. The two different views are stated below.

Pastors/Ministers should be able to have another job because:
1. The economy is demanding and the Pastors/Ministers are struggling to make ends meet, so taking up another job helps pay the bills and lessens the load.
2. They choose to have additional job(s) as they had them before they became ordained Pastors/Ministers.

Vs

Pastors/Ministers should not be able to have another job because:
1. Their Calling as a Pastor or Minister should be the core focus and the only job that they should be in.
2. Any other job may distract them in their Pastoral duty.

Experience: My former Minister (before he passed away) and wife held down jobs while leading our Church. He was working as a Social Worker and Councillor before he became a Minister so he did both, served the Church as a Minister and served the Community especially with troubled Youth kids in his career as a Social Worker/Councillor. He didn’t believe in having to rely on the Church to pay for him and his family bills etc and always had a passion to serve people no matter who. His wife was (and still is) a Science teacher and did the same thing, served in the Church especially leading in Sunday School and teaching Science in College. My current Minister now is the opposite and him and his wife don’t work at all. Now I’m not trying to compare, but just giving y’all different view of both perspectives.

So what are your thoughts? Should Pastors or Ministers have additional jobs or not? Would there be any barriers if they did? Are there any ordained Pastors on here that can share their view/experience?

Do you mean minister/preacher? Cause a paster is one of the elders of the church. The one who does sermons can have another job as long as it ranks second in priority and doesn't effect the quality of his work of teaching people about God. This is biblical- Paul was also a tent maker.
 
S

selfdissolving

Guest
#36
i admit that i have a very limited vantage point on this issue, but i like the idea of a pastor having a job.

i would love it if all pastors had jobs and they would not accept pay for their role in ministry by reason of principle
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
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#37
The real issues are much deeper: (1) Elders (which includes pastors) -- according to Scripture -- were from within the congregation, not imported from Rabbinic schools (which would be seminaries today), (2) spiritual qualifications were the only criteria, not academic achievements (as insisted upon today), and (3) elders were NOT employees of the churches (subject to hiring, firing, and moving to other locations), but overseers who remained with the flock as long as God has them in that position. Also ministers were forbidden to take titles such as Rabbi or Father (which today would equate to Reverend and Doctor).

As you can see there has been a wholesale departure from the NT pattern, and a lot more could be said, but it is too late to see any changes in these things.
I agree with most of your post. The point in which I disagree is your equating of "Rabbi or Father" with "Reverend and Doctor". Reverend, yes, agreed. Doctor, however, is an earned academic title which does not contradict Matthew 23. If a pastor happens to have earned a doctorate in a field of study, it is right to address that pastor as "Doctor ...", just as it is right to address a physician, dentist, veterinarian, or college professor as "Doctor ...".

Unfortunately, Christians, like any other humans, can wrongly attribute spiritual status, wisdom, or superior understanding to someone merely because they have an earned title, when it only means advanced knowledge in a specific field. Within the Church, we should not elevate one another, but allow God to lead in the selection and appointment of elders according to, as you say, spiritual qualifications.

Regarding your comment about seminaries, they are valuable in that they provide for focused study on issues relevant to ministry, such as counseling, church history, biblical hermeneutics and exegesis, ecclesiology, and theology. It would be unwise to "install" a pastor who has not worked through these things. Most Christians don't study these in depth and are not equipped to answer many questions or guide people to the answers. The only correction I would suggest is the need for more "practical apprenticeship" and a little less book work.
 

calibob

Sinner saved by grace
May 29, 2018
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#38
Do you mean minister/preacher? Cause a paster is one of the elders of the church. The one who does sermons can have another job as long as it ranks second in priority and doesn't effect the quality of his work of teaching people about God. This is biblical- Paul was also a tent maker.
Wow, a pastor is a sheppard, one that leads the flock to pasture and tends to them, a minister is someone who has a specific ministry like nursing or transportation. A preacher is an orator, one who makes speaches, evangelizes etc. a teacher is a Rabbi, they teach the word. A deacon is a glorified helper. They may assist with collections, parking, giving directions to the childs rooms, perhaps assist the others already mentioned. They are very valuable.

That is not to say that is what it means in the church where you attend. That is what it all meant, before they were titles. Like mechanics, nurses, salesman and whatever else you may call yourself.
 

jameen

Senior Member
Feb 5, 2018
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Manila
#39
So what are your thoughts? Should Pastors or Ministers have additional jobs or not? Would there be any barriers if they did? Are there any ordained Pastors on here that can share their view/experience?
Why not to have another job? even Paul himself became a tent maker.

he even commanded us to imitate him.

1 Cor. 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (NKJV)

you must even be suspicious if your pastor has no legal job because it is clear that he is using God's words to make his members' money his merchandise by asking a lot of contributions ranging from the 10 percent; prayer requests; love offerings etc. etc.

Christian religions some of them became scams that the police will never dismantle. some cops might even join these spiritual scams.

this is why I advise to rather join religions where you are not compelled to give anything when you worship and the pastor will frighten you with God's curses or accusation of stealing Him if you don't give 10 percent.

In my Church you can attend mass even w/o giving a single cent.
 

OneFaith

Senior Member
Sep 5, 2016
2,270
369
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#40
Wow, a pastor is a sheppard, one that leads the flock to pasture and tends to them, a minister is someone who has a specific ministry like nursing or transportation. A preacher is an orator, one who makes speaches, evangelizes etc. a teacher is a Rabbi, they teach the word. A deacon is a glorified helper. They may assist with collections, parking, giving directions to the childs rooms, perhaps assist the others already mentioned. They are very valuable.

That is not to say that is what it means in the church where you attend. That is what it all meant, before they were titles. Like mechanics, nurses, salesman and whatever else you may call yourself.
Pasters do look after the flock by making sure they are only fed the doctrine of Christ (by making sure the preacher only preaches truth, and to settle disputes among sheep, and protect them from wolves in sheep skin. These are things the elders of the church do- they are the pasters who work for the Good Shepherd- which is Christ.

There are many kinds of ministries, but the main ministry is to minister to lost souls, and those growing in Christ, by feeding them the Word of God. That is the help that souls need more than anything else.

We are not to call anyone rabbi or teacher, the teaching comes from Christ, we just deliver His teachings.

We all do the work of the Lord in various ways.