October 7, 2007
In my previous post (“What about work?“), I said that I was presenting the steps of my argument against paying a pastor based on his position.
The first step begins with Paul’s communication to the Thessalonians. It appears that Paul uses the word “work” in at least two different ways: 1) “work” as a vocation in order to provide support for yourself and others, and 2) “work” as ministry or service.
The second step is presented in this blog post. Specifically, Paul told elders to “work with their hands” (which is separate from their responsibilities to shepherd or care for God’s people) in order to provide for their own needs and the needs of others.
It is important to note that the Thessalonians did (or at least were instructed to) recognize leaders among themselves:
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ESV)
While those “who labor among” the Thessalonians are not called elders or pastors in this passage, the passage itself is very similar to 1 Timothy 5:17, which does mention elders specifically. So, the “leaders” in Thessalonika were either elders, or possibly included elders along with other types of leaders.
So, while Paul recognized that some of the Thessalonians were leaders labor, admonish, and work among the believers there, all of the Thessalonians were instructed to work with their hands in order to support themselves and others. These leaders would have also been instructed to imitate the way that Paul and those with him worked hard with their hands so that other people would not have to provide their bread.
But, there is another passage that seems more clear that Paul expected elders to “work with their hands” (that is, vocationally not ministerially) in order to provide for themselves and others. That passage is found within Paul’s instructions to the elders in Ephesus in Acts 20. Paul begins by telling them how they should take care of God’s people. Then he warns them about false teachers. Then Paul says this to that same group of elders from Ephesus:
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:32-35 ESV)
In this passage, Paul appears to tell the elders in Ephesus to work with their hands in order to provide support for themselves and for others who may be weak or in need. Remember that this is presented as following and separate from the instructions to “shepherd the flock of God”.
So, continuing our discussion, does it appear from this passage that Paul wanted elders to “work with their hands” in order to provide support for themselves and others? Does this “working with their hands” appear to be the same as or separate from their responsibilities in “shepherding” God’s people?
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Series: Scripturally, we cannot justify paying elders/pastors a salary based on their position.
1) What about work?
2) What about work for elders/pastors?
3) What about honor for elders/pastors?
4) What about the right of elders/pastors?
5) Summary – Should elders/pastors be paid a salary?
Related posts:
I’m an Acts 20 man. Actually, I work a secular job 30 hours/week and our congregation has decided that they would like to provide regular giving for my family.
Of course, I am grateful to God for this, but I never asked for it, will never ask for it, and will continue to minister whether I’m given monetary gifts or not. We actually try to shove as much money as possible back into the church funds so that we can meet the pressing needs of those families in our body (i.e., father just lost a job, helping with medical expenses as our church is able, helping fix our widow’s homes, buying them groceries, etc.).
So here’s what it boils down to for me. I work with my hands. In the church. I’m not paid to be “spiritual”. I’m paid to lead the music. The ministry stuff that I do is off the clock, so to speak. If the church can’t pay me to do all the arranging, organizing, rehearsing, etc., then I’m fine being “just” a member. I still give myself spiritually to the church. The music’s just less organized.
Dustin,
Thank you for sharing how God has provided a job for you to support yourself. What would you do if you did not receive support from regular giving from the congregation?
David,
Actually, I agree with you here. When the church organizes, if they desire to hire someone with particular skills and talents (accounting, for example), then that is a separate issue from what I am discussing. However, the way I have usually seen it done, even the “accountant” is considered a “pastor” – a “business pastor” or “operations pastor”. This pastor is usually paid for pastoring as well as for using his other skills and talents. I am concerned about this, in light of this argument that I’m presenting.
-Alan
What would you do if you did not receive support from regular giving from the congregation?
To answer plainly, I’d joyfully keep ministering, teaching, and encouraging those precious people in our body.
The giving that the church provides for me is purely that of a regular love offering. It varies in size and sometimes includes foodstuffs and other such things instead of money. I am grateful for this giving, but as mentioned earlier, I desire to put as much of this money as possible back into the church so as to build up the resources needed to minister to those in our body with pressing needs (i.e., food, shelter, clothing).
Dustin,
Thank you for sharing about how people honor you. I see what is happening in your case as being different from a “salary”. In fact, I think a “love offering” as you mentioned is a great way for an individual to honor elders because of their teaching and leading. Each person is still responsible for determining how God desires for him or her to honor the elders.
-Alan
Alan,
I’ve just discovered your blog and am greatly encouraged by its content.
I have a question regarding the love offerings. Should that be the mindset of a seminary student/graduate candidating at a local church? He takes no guaranteed salary yet gives the church the option to support him via love offerings whenever they see fit?
Many of us in seminary have thought nothing of this for most of our academic lives. We must now retool in order to work with our hands while depending on God to supply our needs. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks again for the encouraging writings.
–Trey
Trey,
In the past couple years, God has really changed my mindset about vocational ministry. Regarding love offerings, I do not feel that we should ever expect or give it as an option for the church to give. I personally feel it is best to get a job that allows me to support myself (and my family), that way I do not have to burden the church financially. If they decide later to give money, that is completely between them and God… not me and them.
I find this “tentmaker” attitude is best because it allows a “guaranteed” salary with no expectations from others to support you. If something happens to your job (as with any other church members job) then the church should definitely consider helping out (Or as a need arises).
I write this comment, as a graduate from Southeastern College at Wake Forest (the SEBTS college). I have my degree in Biblical Studies, which can pretty much hinder my ability to get a well paying job in the secular world. So I understand that your degree will become essentially useless in the “world.” Although, I do not at all think the knowledge gained during your time in Seminary is useless. I am sure that God has a plan.
I hope this sheds some light on what another “seminarian” has gone through.
God’s Glory,
Lew
Trey,
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate the predicament that you find yourself in. I’ve talked with many people who find themselves in similar situations. So far, God has provided a way for each one to support themselves and their family, and to have enough to give to those in need. I do not think a seminary education is a waste of time. It is not. However, it doesn’t necessarily help us support ourselves.
Lew,
Thank you for putting a personal touch on what can be seen as a theoretical or “ivory tower” discussion.
-Alan