The job

I have a friend who is looking for a new job. He is a truck driver. If he was offered a job that would pay more, was easier, and would somehow bring more prestige, what would you suggest? You would probably at least suggest that he look into it more.

You probably would not chastise him for wanting to earn more doing an easier job. Even as shallow as prestige is, you would not begrudge a truck driver from seeking it. Would you?

These are some of the many differences between ministry as a career and other careers. Most are very critical of ministers who chase money, ease, and prestige.

Those things are me-centered. We want spiritual leaders devoid of pride. Going without is heroic. We want heroes.

There is a difference, a big one. Most people go to work, not because they really want to lend a hand to Corporation X, but because they need income. The earning goal, then is “as much as I can get”. And that’s fine, I’d say, as long as you are doing so honestly.

Pastors have the privilege of working toward what they love and believe in most. The pay goal, then becomes “as much as I need to be able to do this.” You do not want to be paid so much that it hinders the church’s mission, because you care more about the church’s mission than about making money.

In the secular fields a Christian often gets as much as you can in as little time as possible so that she can devote as much time and money toward the Kingdom as possible. Logically, that same Christian, if she were employed by a church, would give as much time for as little money as reality would allow. There are still bills to pay and families to shepherd.

Of course, what works best is when a church generously gives their workers as much as they can afford while the workers keep giving back as much as possible.

I’m guessing Regan will have something very interesting to say about this.