napaeric, unless you’re one of those megachurches, I guarantee you make enough to stay alive, but not much else. I pastor a church, and we are always swimming in a sea of red. I’m lucky in that I actually have a full-time position. Many of my colleagues work full-time for part-time pay or work other jobs and conduct their ministries without pay at all.
I should mention that in most churches, pastors also contribute to the offerings. (I am one of the top pledgers in our congregation though nowhere near that in income).
The question for people who choose to give or not to the work of their church isn’t whether they’re getting away with anything (by the way, churches DO pay taxes in many areas, just not property taxes. They have the same rules as other not-for-profit organizations. And I certainly DO pay income taxes!).
The question is, do they believe in the work that church does? Do they believe it’s good to have pastoral care at hospitals and nursing homes and visits to the sick? Do they believe it’s good to have the church-run food pantries and soup kitchens, or the reading programs for struggling kids and so on. If they believe in whatever their congregation is doing (and it’ll vary from place to place), then they may want to be part of it. Otherwise, keep the money but don’t pretend to believe in it either.
I love cdward’s post, the church has been the true creator of civilization. Before all the government entitlement programs it was the church that helped those in need. Almost all schools and hospitals were built by the churches. The churches were used for most community events and meetings. I am an aetheist but I feel the churches should recieve more respect because while not perfect the church has done far more good than can be measured. We only hear about the pedophile priests and the cons by a few pastors while no one acknowledges all the good that churches do.
I belonged to an average church in rural NY. We went every Sun. and gave for it’s support. Then my Mom underwent emergency surgery one Sat so I called the rectory to have her prayed for during Sun. mass. I got an answering service . So I left my request with them. She was not mentioned at mass that Sun. and in fact even though she was in the hospital for a while no one ever called to find out how she was or came to visit her in the hospital. She was well known in the congregation and always was in church but noone cared enough to find out what was wrong. We stopped going to church. I tried to go back years later in a different area but it still was a empty feeling. If the clergy is not there to at least pray for their flock what are they there for, money?
I am also the pastor of a small church. I make less than the median income for the state in which I live. I am called at all hours (yes, the people in my church have my phone #, it’s on all of the bulletins) to make emergency hospital calls, be with grieving families as their mother and father die. I am asked to visit non-members in the nursing home (and, no, I don’t get paid for that). But I wouldn’t trade what I do for all the money in the world.
Many of the negative posts in here aren’t angry with (organized) religion. They are angry at the church’s message of eternal life in and through Jesus and Jesus alone. If you’re honest, that is the true stumbling block.
The fact is, many different denominations have different messages, so you have to listen to them all to get an understanding of what their beliefs are. Also, what I got from some of the posts is anger at individual pastors or parishioners for neglect.
While it is understandable, to angry at them for this neglect, there is another fact about churches, pastors or pretty much any religious institution. They are people. Some are smart, wise, compassionate, emotionally health, etc, – and others not so much. It will simply always be that way. But I assure you, unless you’re talking mega-church, you are not talking about being in it for the money. We do this and work hard at all hours and in sometimes dangerous situations for love of our faith and love of the people we serve.
napaeric about 14 years ago
First to preach AND first to collect. Also last to pay taxes.
How much money can I make in religion?
lewisbower about 14 years ago
In my old dusty book, it says some dude threw the money changers out of the church. I think it’s in First Book of Finance.
cdward about 14 years ago
napaeric, unless you’re one of those megachurches, I guarantee you make enough to stay alive, but not much else. I pastor a church, and we are always swimming in a sea of red. I’m lucky in that I actually have a full-time position. Many of my colleagues work full-time for part-time pay or work other jobs and conduct their ministries without pay at all.
I should mention that in most churches, pastors also contribute to the offerings. (I am one of the top pledgers in our congregation though nowhere near that in income).
The question for people who choose to give or not to the work of their church isn’t whether they’re getting away with anything (by the way, churches DO pay taxes in many areas, just not property taxes. They have the same rules as other not-for-profit organizations. And I certainly DO pay income taxes!).
The question is, do they believe in the work that church does? Do they believe it’s good to have pastoral care at hospitals and nursing homes and visits to the sick? Do they believe it’s good to have the church-run food pantries and soup kitchens, or the reading programs for struggling kids and so on. If they believe in whatever their congregation is doing (and it’ll vary from place to place), then they may want to be part of it. Otherwise, keep the money but don’t pretend to believe in it either.
raceme97 about 14 years ago
I love cdward’s post, the church has been the true creator of civilization. Before all the government entitlement programs it was the church that helped those in need. Almost all schools and hospitals were built by the churches. The churches were used for most community events and meetings. I am an aetheist but I feel the churches should recieve more respect because while not perfect the church has done far more good than can be measured. We only hear about the pedophile priests and the cons by a few pastors while no one acknowledges all the good that churches do.
Nighthawks Premium Member about 14 years ago
well, then you folks can just go straight to .hell
saltyftw about 14 years ago
WAIT A MINUTE,TODAY’S ONLY SATURDAY!!!!!
Sugie63 about 14 years ago
I belonged to an average church in rural NY. We went every Sun. and gave for it’s support. Then my Mom underwent emergency surgery one Sat so I called the rectory to have her prayed for during Sun. mass. I got an answering service . So I left my request with them. She was not mentioned at mass that Sun. and in fact even though she was in the hospital for a while no one ever called to find out how she was or came to visit her in the hospital. She was well known in the congregation and always was in church but noone cared enough to find out what was wrong. We stopped going to church. I tried to go back years later in a different area but it still was a empty feeling. If the clergy is not there to at least pray for their flock what are they there for, money?
photoman022 about 14 years ago
I am also the pastor of a small church. I make less than the median income for the state in which I live. I am called at all hours (yes, the people in my church have my phone #, it’s on all of the bulletins) to make emergency hospital calls, be with grieving families as their mother and father die. I am asked to visit non-members in the nursing home (and, no, I don’t get paid for that). But I wouldn’t trade what I do for all the money in the world.
Many of the negative posts in here aren’t angry with (organized) religion. They are angry at the church’s message of eternal life in and through Jesus and Jesus alone. If you’re honest, that is the true stumbling block.
cdward about 14 years ago
The fact is, many different denominations have different messages, so you have to listen to them all to get an understanding of what their beliefs are. Also, what I got from some of the posts is anger at individual pastors or parishioners for neglect.
While it is understandable, to angry at them for this neglect, there is another fact about churches, pastors or pretty much any religious institution. They are people. Some are smart, wise, compassionate, emotionally health, etc, – and others not so much. It will simply always be that way. But I assure you, unless you’re talking mega-church, you are not talking about being in it for the money. We do this and work hard at all hours and in sometimes dangerous situations for love of our faith and love of the people we serve.
Ashrey about 14 years ago
stebon, this was not a chance to bash the president but you made it one.