The Narrow Path Ministries

Steve,

I certainly understand and respect your view of salaried ministers, but I disagree with something you said on Tuesday's broadcast. (well, maybe I don't really disagree so much as I wish you would have balanced your comment).

You said:
"It certainly is a bondage to the minister. If I minister is receiving a salary he cannot preach his conscience if it would offend the people who pay his salary...he's obligated to preach whatever he's paid to preach...i'd much rather have the freedom to say what I believe"

I think that may be a cynical statement. It may very well be that the people paying the salary WANT the pastor they hire to preach his conscience. That is what I find in our congregation. I have never not said something b/c it wasn't the traditional 'wesleyan' view or the 'majority view'.

I am sure many pastors do submit to such pressures, but it is hardly necessary.

And Steve seemed to make it sound as if a salaried minister wouldn't minister if not for his salary, but that is clearly not the case in all cases! I would minister at our church wether they paid me or not (though i might not have as much time to do so if they didn't), but I feel blessed that they are willing and able to provide for me with a check each month.

It is like my plan to go to China on a short term missions trip 3 years ago. I asked the church if i could have 2 weeks off to go to china on a short term missions trip. They asked if i needed financial support. I said i'd go either way. That year, they paid the entire cost of the trip out of free will offerings. The following year i went again, but paid 25% out of pocket. This year i went a 3rd time and paid 50% out of pocket. So there financial support was not the determining factor in my choice of ministry.

In other words, not all salaries are asked for, some are freely given

Just my thoughts after listening to Tuesday's broadcast.

I agree in part with steves thoughts on ministers in bondage due to salary payments. All to often there have been pastors removed from the church they minister for speaking the truth in the word. This can cause some to be swayed, not all mind you, but some to remove or teach falsely.

I guess that would be a tough test for any pastor, kind of makes me wonder if the Lord tests pastors in that way.

jim

Matt,

Good point. I know there are exceptions. I should have qualified my remarks more.

I would like to reply to the following statement in Matthew's letter concerning salaried pastors:

"It is like my plan to go to China on a short term missions trip 3 years ago. I asked the church if i could have 2 weeks off to go to china on a short term missions trip."

It struck a chord in me - I confess I do not understand the pastor-deacon board arrangements of this day, so please allow me present to you what I perceive to be biblical.

The fellowships I have been closely associated with for the last twenty some years have been led by a body of elders. When the Lord speaks to one of them about going out, they bring it before the Lord together and send the man out, usually in twos.

At times when all the elders are gone, the disciples take over and nothing is ever lost as they represent what the elders have taught them about overseeing the fellowship. The congregations are well-accustomed to functioning in an orderly fashion, led by the Spirit of God.

Concerning the living and travelling expenses of the elders, there are no salaries, per se - it is a faith walk - as in, sometimes it was appropriate for Paul to make tents - and sometimes not appropriate.

With best regards - Jean