tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post8460750980336002566..comments2023-11-03T05:46:44.728-04:00Comments on RevGalBlogPals: Ask The Matriarch: where your treasure is there also will be your heartStephanie Anthony/She Revhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-81420543666997369342008-10-17T22:40:00.000-04:002008-10-17T22:40:00.000-04:00Seems to me that if the church wants paid professi...Seems to me that if the church wants paid professional ministries - the members need to know what that means in terms of the budget and do what is needed to raise the money. Pensions, health care, fair wage are justice issues - for ourselves and all who serve the church in whatever capacity.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287169546184325690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-59411191262393566132008-10-16T21:53:00.000-04:002008-10-16T21:53:00.000-04:00I have been thinking about this a lot since it see...I have been thinking about this a lot since it seems that I am the only paid staff person at my new church. I have a secretary who seems eager to do whatever I ask, for as many hours a week as it takes, yet she has never been paid. <BR/><BR/>We also do not have any paid cleaning people. It used to be that people would take turns cleaning the church but fewer and fewer people are signing up. When I suggested we consider hiring someone to do the job if we can no longer get enough volunteers I was told it wasn't in the budget. <BR/><BR/>I worry what will happen if my secretary every decides she wants a break or needs to retire. They will NEVER be able to replace her without paying someone. I can't deal with it now but someday I want to have a conversation with her about how she feels about not being paid. I also want to encourage the council to pay her, even if she chooses to turn around and give it all back it is still the right thing to do. <BR/><BR/>I haven't been here long enough to know how or if we pay our choir director and organist. I imagine we pay something but it can't be anywhere near AGO guidelines.Church near cowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16714159612367233387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-86245026589588323562008-10-16T20:54:00.000-04:002008-10-16T20:54:00.000-04:00I suspect that church musicians have it rougher th...I suspect that church musicians have it rougher than those in pastoral or other ministries. Our Music Director is in charge of our music, and directs two other major non-church choirs in the city; he occasionally sings in a third, which means rehearsals/practices MTWRF and Sunday mornings. And a parishioner asked, "But what do you do FOR A LIVING?" He explained, "all of the above, plus teaching two classes at the college level". Response: "Jeez, you must be rolling in it."<BR/>I notice too a great incomprehension and reluctance to pay the church-music licensing fee...as if the people whose music we use, without fee, on Sunday, can somehow "live on admiration". Or something.Crimson Ramblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13020190454645032359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-35584041349344524142008-10-16T16:10:00.000-04:002008-10-16T16:10:00.000-04:00I think that compensation is tied to the budget - ...I think that compensation is tied to the budget - it is a scary but sad truth that when the budget suffers, you have to pay the heating and lights bills... and the rent/debt costs, and people and programs hurt as a result.<BR/><BR/>I could well be out of a job by January because of the economy... despite all that, I keep pressing on. You may see me selling at Best Buy! :)<BR/><BR/>DebDebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07077252518911858612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-1780198849511294482008-10-16T15:54:00.000-04:002008-10-16T15:54:00.000-04:00Even as a pastor in the 30 and under age group, I ...Even as a pastor in the 30 and under age group, I can't imagine what would lie ahead if I ended up being forced out because of money. I'm here because this is where God called me and gave me the gifts to succeed. I can sincerely say that I would not be nearly so gratified in other work. A pastor/mentor of mine once told me, "Don't go into ministry if there is anything else you can do." Well, I never could come up with anything else since I know this is where I'm supposed to be. <BR/>It's a difficult thing for churches to face, especially because they want the energy and attention that a full-time pastor (or any staff member)can provide.Rivkahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07595316806953091704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-61614113307050963062008-10-16T10:46:00.000-04:002008-10-16T10:46:00.000-04:00Songbird,I too think it is supremely depressing. ...Songbird,<BR/><BR/>I too think it is supremely depressing. I like the life of a full-time pastor. It's not opulent by any stretch, but I love the focus provided by a salary and a parsonage. Shifting away from that will be incredibly painful...Let's hope it does not come to that.Tripp Hudginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02987346084472861229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-90189919994061598722008-10-16T10:36:00.000-04:002008-10-16T10:36:00.000-04:00I think I hear you, and Jan, too, saying "not." It...I think I hear you, and Jan, too, saying "not." It's hard for me to separate the follow-up question "What will this mean for churches" from the more personal follow-up "What will this mean for me?"<BR/><BR/>Churches will survive, no doubt, in some form, perhaps reverting to their counter-cultural origins.<BR/><BR/>I, on the other hand, as a 47-year-old with no other skills and a "pre-exisiting condition," will face unpleasant possibilities. It's not like I answered this calling in a spirit of greed, after all. But if my reality is to be squeezed out, well, that's pretty depressing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08235049965406944684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-14090697958211559182008-10-16T10:12:00.000-04:002008-10-16T10:12:00.000-04:00I have no recommendations, only shared concerns. ...I have no recommendations, only shared concerns. We too ran with the AGO suggested guidelines. It's steep for many congregations, but it is the going rate. Education, it seems, is essential. People forget that the church staff is not simply doing the work out of the kindness of their hearts. This is their vocation <I>and profession</I> more often than not.<BR/><BR/>That being said, we are completely hamstrung by salaries right now. We are spending an incredible percentage of our church budget on staff...more than 60%. This has led to all kinds of financial gymnastics that I am uncomfortable sharing here. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Incredible mess.<BR/><BR/>As our congregations move forward, we'll have to get inventive, rethink what it means to have a "professional" staff and a "vocational" staff. It may have once been a sign of the Kingdom to have Dr. So-and-so in the pulpit and pay <B>him</B> handsomely. But now I am not so sure any of us should be looking in that direction at all. We have to be tent makers. And it is a bitter pill to swallow.<BR/><BR/>Here' a follow-up question: Should clergy be paid as professionals?Tripp Hudginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02987346084472861229noreply@blogger.com