Should Pastors/Ministers have additional jobs?

[Mel85]

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?

 

[jb]

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?

The Pastors/Teachers/Elders/Bishops (different names for the same NT ministry) of the early Church all had secular jobs (as well as their ministry gift), you can find a study Here on this subject...

 

[Adstar]

Paul used to make tents to help support himself during His ministry..

Acts 18:
18 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. 3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

 

[Ralph-]

Paul used to make tents to help support himself during His ministry..

Acts 18:
18 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. 3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

But he made it clear that he was choosing to not use his right of support from the church as a witness to them.

 

[Ralph-]

For me, so much spiritual insight and inspiration comes from living the daily grind. So I've always thought it to be extremely valuable for a pastor to have contact with the world like his congregants do. I think he'd get a lot of relative and effective sermon material that way.

 

[Mel85]

Paul used to make tents to help support himself during His ministry..

Acts 18:
18 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. 3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

One fact is that the Disciples didn’t stick with their jobs as fishermen or tax collectors after Jesus chose them, they instead picked up their cross & followed Jesus.

 

[Adstar]

One fact is that the Disciples didn’t stick with their jobs as fishermen or tax collectors after Jesus chose them, they instead picked up their cross & followed Jesus.

But Paul's example showed that when they needed to they did work to maintain themselves.. We are talking of a time where there was no real church system of standard weekly pledges from the believers.. In most places there was no church so Paul had to support himself when he was entering into new territory that had no believers and no organization..

 

[calibob]

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. pastors and preists er 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?

Wow, you've uncovered something that many ministers, pastors and other clergy would rather have us overlook. Many are quick to remind us to tithe 10% plus make love offerings and gifts to the ministry but in the days the law was written priests and Levites accounted for 10% of the population so paying tithe allowed them to maintain the near same standard of living as their congregation. They didn't drive golden chariots while their congregation rode donkeys. And also they were expected to pay tithe as well. If I was the lord I think I'd be angry at those who used my word to keep their pockets full.

I think that it is quite admirable for pastors and ministers to work and ease the burden of those who support them. It's a shining example of how christians should act. Becoming a pastor isn't the same as being an accountant or a brick layer. At the end of the day they can set aside the pen or the trowel. Pastors cannot do this, a pastor is something they become if their heart is right, not just a job. If they want improve their lives and ease the burden fro the sholders of their flock, more power to 'em. Making money is not a sin, loving it is!

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

For me, so much spiritual insight and inspiration comes from living the daily grind. So I've always thought it to be extremely valuable for a pastor to have contact with the world like his congregants do. I think he'd get a lot of relative and effective sermon material that way.

I think the first thing that should go that would vastly improve the church is sermon's. Everybody has something to say at some point in time, so let them say it. That's what the church is for. Getting rid of sermons would remove a huge time consuming burden from pastors and let them be what they should be - shepherds, and not ringleaders and the main show.

 

[calibob]

I think the first thing that should go that would vastly improve the church is sermon's. Everybody has something to say at some point in time, so let them say it. That's what the church is for. Getting rid of sermons would remove a huge time consuming burden from pastors and let them be what they should be - shepherds, and not ringleaders and the main show.

You sound like a Friend / Quaker. I have great respect for them!

 

[Ugly]

Just as it is not the pastors job to dictate the lives of his congregation neither should the church believe it's their right to dictate the pastors life.
There is nothing scriptural stating a pastor or church leader cannot have a job. It's that simple. Anyone that tries to make a claim it's wrong is creating personal doctrine, not promoting Gods word.

 

[NayborBear]

IMHO? A resounding YES! Any "Pastor/Shepherd/Minister/Preacher" WORTH, their calling, SHOULD have a "job!" The "calling" is NOT "the job!" Elstwise, it would not BE a "calling", right?

What happens, and has happened, and is STILL happening, is that a "reciprocation" takes place between those who view their calling, as their only means of financial support. IRREGARDLESS of any "burden" light, to none at all to the "congregants!" This reciprocation of placing upon the Pastor, etc. of carrying the congregants cross upon the pastor. Never EVER picking up "their OWN" cross. And, like so many "blind" shepherds? "Yeah, people!" "I'll "fleece" yer wooly arses!" "Giving you a mouth full of well pleasin', and a hand full of MUCH OBLIGED!" "Y'all willing NOW, to gimme "MY" 54 million dollars, for my 4th and largest jet to date?"

People, it seems, are their own worst enemy. Giving their "tithe", or "love" offering, week after week, to "hear" the "same" message, week after week, after month, after year, after decade. 20 years go by? New "generation" of people? Different Pastor? Probably, the old Pastor's son, or grandson, or relative, Preaching the SAME message! Over and over and over! Believe the (same) message! Respond to the (same) message! Be baptized! (and?) TITHE....FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!

Of course, their are exceptions...Few and FAR BETWEEN they are, though!

This is a MAJOR" problem, in this current "culturization" of an "established church BUILDING!"

I've heard messages from (so called) Pastors, that are so adept at the "art of hooking a sucker", that the pastor would feel just as comfortable, as a "carnival BARKER", as they are at "selling" Jesus! Or, Kenmore appliances, or encyclopedias, for that matter!

Today's churches don't need Pastor's! They NEED "TEACHERS!" Unfortunately, teachers can't TEACH CORRECTLY, what they don't know! And, they don't know, where they aren't led! And, they aren't able to "overcome" the vanity in their own hearts, after they are led there, when their "creature comforts", are being taken care of!

 

[Miri]

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?

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?

 

[Ralph-]

I think the first thing that should go that would vastly improve the church is sermon's. Everybody has something to say at some point in time, so let them say it. That's what the church is for. Getting rid of sermons would remove a huge time consuming burden from pastors and let them be what they should be - shepherds, and not ringleaders and the main show.

I agree. All the pastor has to do is choose a topic and prepare enough material to support an open discussion. The inspiration for the details will come as the congregation joins the discussion.

I think most pastors would love to be relieved of the burden the church places on them. Services conducted in an open, but controlled, atmosphere not only inspire the congregation they inspire the pastor as well.

Then after the group gets built up and edified by the word (faith comes by hearing the word of God) members of the congregation pray for each other and enjoy some of the most robust, heartfelt worship they've ever had. Then everybody goes home to their families, their work places, the places they shop, etc. aglow with the joy and power of the Holy Spirit to be the obedient, powerful witnesses God's power in them makes them to be.

 

[Ralph-]

You sound like a Friend / Quaker. I have great respect for them!

Yes! 'Congregationalist' I think they are called, too. The Brethren. There are others I think.

 

[calibob]

I agree. All the pastor has to do is choose a topic and prepare enough material to support an open discussion. The inspiration for the details will come as the congregation joins the discussion.

I think most pastors would love to be relieved of the burden the church places on them. Services conducted in an open, but controlled, atmosphere not only inspire the congregation they inspire the pastor as well.

Then after the group gets built up and edified by the word (faith comes by hearing the word of God) members of the congregation pray for each other and enjoy some of the most robust, heartfelt worship they've ever had. Then everybody goes home to their families, their work places, the places they shop, etc. aglow with the joy and power of the Holy Spirit to be the obedient, powerful witnesses God's power in them makes them to be.

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.'

People love these alibis but we can't play the Peter hand with God.

 

[Ralph-]

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.

I agree. I call the traditional church service the golden idol of the church that we must serve and which can not be moved for any reason whatsoever (even though most of us know in our hearts it's quite useless).

Touch that idol and you're most likely going to receive a beating. NOBODY touches the golden idol. NOBODY.

 

[Ralph-]

Today's churches don't need Pastor's! They NEED "TEACHERS!"

I've been saying this for years.

I cringe whenever I see a congregation trying to find an evangelist to fill the pastor position. What they need is someone with the gift of teaching, not evangelism. It's fine if they hire an evangelist but he must have the gift of teaching and it must be the cornerstone of his ministry. Christians and truth seekers crave teaching, real teaching. They will flock to the pastor or leader who is genuinely teaching them.

 

[calibob]

I've been saying this for years.

I cringe whenever I see a congregation trying to find an evangelist to fill the pastor position. What they need is someone with the gift of teaching, not evangelism. It's fine if they hire an evangelist but he must have the gift of teaching and it must be the cornerstone of his ministry. Christians and truth seekers crave teaching, real teaching. They will flock to the pastor or leader who is genuinely teaching them.

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.

 

[calibob]

Perhaps I should have used the term histrionic rather than charismatic.