Pay your gifted workers in the church

[Deborah13]

The point is that the levites had their specific jobs which were set apart from normal everyday things that the rest of the nation were responsible for. We do not, in your society, or church construct, have anything that comes close other that the pastor, assistant pastor, or possible worship pastors in some churches. Those who are members of a choir do not have that as their primary job, it is just something in which they participate to praise God. I do not see a reason to compensate those people.

I see. Thank you for explaining.

 

[WIP]

We offer a gift to the organist, choir director, and to the person that manages our website and monthly newsletter. All of these positions are voluntary but as a council we usually vote to offer a gift for their services annually.

 

[for_his_glory]

I believe only the Ministers of the church need to be paid a fare percentage of whatever the offering is as their directive needs to be on feeding the Spiritual needs of their flock. Anything else within the workings of the Church should be prayerfully volunteered as giving to the Lord in works within the ministry. We need to keep in mind the very foundation Jesus instructed the Disciples in setting forth to preach the kingdom of God as they went about establishing the body of Christ in each town they went into. It was man that added the choirs, Sunday school, youth groups Etc., Etc.and all should be done on a volunteer basis as giving to the Lord.

Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
Luke 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Luke 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
Luke 9:4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
Luke 9:5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

1Co 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
1Co 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
1Co 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

 

[TOG]

I believe only the Ministers of the church need to be paid

I have two questions for you. First, why do you spell ministers with a capital M? It's not a proper noun, so I know that's not the reason. Are so-called "ministers" somehow above everyone else that we should even capitalize their job description? Doesn't that contradict what Jesus said when he told his disciples that the one who wanted to be greatest should be everybody's servant?

Second question: Are preachers the only ones who have a ministry? What about feeding the hungry?

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. (Acts 6:1 KJV)
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Isn't helping the poor aministry?

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. (II Cor. 9:12 ESV)
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What about evangelism?

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (II Tim. 4:5 ESV)​

Every child of God has a ministry and is, therefore, a minister.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-12 ESV)
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Although I'm sure that's not how you mean it, to imply that one ministry is the only one there is and to emphasize that implication by capitalizing it is, in my opinion, belittling the other ministries.

The TOG​

 

[Classik]

I made up my mind never to worry about people who ask for money for the services they render for God. It is between them and God.

I need to ask one more question: can one's desire to be paid for one's gifted services for a church drive one to another church where one feels one could be paid (or to be straightforward) where one is really paid - especially when the former church didn't pay a dime ot didn't pay much ?

I know of some people who did this. They left the choir and band.

 

[Kathi]

I made up my mind never to worry about people who ask for money for the services they render for God. It is between them and God.

I need to ask one more question: can one's desire to be paid for one's gifted services for a church drive one to another church where one feels one could be paid (or to be straightforward) where one is really paid - especially when the former church didn't pay a dime ot didn't pay much ?

I know of some people who did this. They left the choir and band.

That is sad if a person feels they will not do the work of God unless they are paid.This excludes a pastor or a person who will act as a secretary for the Church.Although a person acting as a secretary could volunteer if they are financially secure.
That is like a child who says they will not do any chores around the house unless they are paid.

 

[for_his_glory]

Hi Tog,

First I will address the capital M in meaning that of the Holy Spirit who ministers the word of God through those who are called to lead the flock. I know God is no respecter of person and I should have used a small m instead. As per your second question. There is only one ministry as we are all one in the body of Christ, but with various administrative offices. The disciples traveled about establishing the gathering and feeding of the flock (house of God or in other words the church) within each city they went to. Jesus instructed them as per Luke 9:1-9 as their only concern was to preach the kingdom of God. They were not to be concerned for what they would eat or wear as God would provide that from the giving of others. This to should be the same even today as Gods word never changes. The mouth of the ox is only muzzled when it is silenced. Ephesians 4:11 only speaks of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers as these are the ones who need to be provided for.

Matthew 25:34-40 are works within the ministry and not something separate from it. Evangelism is different then being and Evangelist. Evangelism is not preaching the Gospel, it is motivating, training, and equipping Christians to do the work of evangelism, Ephesians 4:11, 12. An Evangelist is a minister of the word of God, but is not attached to any particular locality, but travels preaching/teaching the word of God.

None of us has a ministry for that is Gods alone to give, but as one body of Christ we all work in the various functions of Gods ministry. It should only be the minister that God has called to oversee the Spiritual needs of the flock that should be taken care of as everything needs to be volunteered works of the ministry as God calls each of us into His works.

 

[for_his_glory]

If a church wants to pay those who work within the ministry that is their own choice, but I believe we need to volunteer our works as God calls us to them.

 

[Deborah13]

That is sad if a person feels they will not do the work of God unless they are paid.This excludes a pastor or a person who will act as a secretary for the Church.Although a person acting as a secretary could volunteer if they are financially secure.
That is like a child who says they will not do any chores around the house unless they are paid.

I agree with some of what you say here.
What about someone who is not financially secure and rather than getting a second job in the evenings they spend several evenings practicing and playing or singing at mid-week services, as well as two services on Sundays?

 

[evenifigoalone]

I made up my mind never to worry about people who ask for money for the services they render for God. It is between them and God.

I need to ask one more question: can one's desire to be paid for one's gifted services for a church drive one to another church where one feels one could be paid (or to be straightforward) where one is really paid - especially when the former church didn't pay a dime ot didn't pay much ?

I know of some people who did this. They left the choir and band.

Some might.

In my case, I go to my church because I like it there. They just happen to offer janitorial as a paid position (though most do it voluntarily)...if they didn't, I'd still attend there. I went there looking a church home, not a job. (And it's not a job you could live off of, anyway.) I've been attending for over a year and didn't inquire about this until last month.

 

[Classik]

I was just thinking...pastors should be paid or need to be paid. How about those that preach in the streets, parks, public places, offices who stretch forth their arms to receive money from people after their well-worded sermons? Are they too right in what they do?

 

[for_his_glory]

I was just thinking...pastors should be paid or need to be paid. How about those that preach in the streets, parks, public places, offices who stretch forth their arms to receive money from people after their well-worded sermons? Are they too right in what they do?

If one is called of God to preach His kingdom then they, no matter where they preach, need to rely on Gods provision if they are doing this on a full time scale as per what Jesus said in Luke 9:1-5.

 

[WIP]

This is just my own personal feeling right or wrong but I think if someone is doing the work of the Lord and asking for compensation, their motives may be in question. Don't misunderstand me. I am not saying it is wrong or inappropriate to offer payment as I think it is the right thing to do.

 

[TOG]

Whosoever, therefore, comes and teaches you all these things that have been said before, receive him. But if the teacher himself turns and teaches another doctrine to the destruction of this, hear him not. But if he teaches so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord. But concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he shall not remain more than one day; or two days, if there's a need. But if he remains three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread until he lodges. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet. And every prophet who speaks in the Spirit you shall neither try nor judge; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. But not every one who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; but only if he holds the ways of the Lord. Therefore from their ways shall the false prophet and the prophet be known. And every prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not eat it, unless he is indeed a false prophet. And every prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet. And every prophet, proved true, working unto the mystery of the Church in the world, yet not teaching others to do what he himself does, shall not be judged among you, for with God he has his judgment; for so did also the ancient prophets. But whoever says in the Spirit, Give me money, or something else, you shall not listen to him. But if he tells you to give for others' sake who are in need, let no one judge him.
--Didache, Chapter 11 - Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets.

Scholars say that the Didache was written in about 60 AD. While it is not Scripture, it does give us insight into the thinking of early Christians.

The TOG​