The Intersection of Gifts and Spirit -- FPC sermon excerpt
How much should churches pay their pastors?
It’s a critical issue to look at, since many pastors are struggling, financially. The median compensation for full-time Protestant pastors is just $40,000, according to a study from 2001. This sounds inadequate, I know, but it is hard for many congregations to pay much more. The majority of congregations in the United States are quite small — 71 percent have fewer than 100 participating adults, and the median annual budget is $56,000.
But what I find fascinating about this research into clergy compensation is that it reveals something that might surprise you — American clergy have a high level of satisfaction with their positions and their compensation. 97 percent report that they are “very satisfied” with their current position, and 51 percent are “very satisfied” with their compensation.
Why is this? I’m convinced that most of us in pastoral ministry believe that we are engaged in good and important work: Preaching and teaching the Word of God … celebrating the sacraments … praying with and for the people of God. The Lord has given us gifts for the work of ministry, and the church has given us the opportunity to exercise these gifts. What more could we want?
This is the fourth of six sermons in the “Intersections” sermons series -- The Intersection of Gifts and Spirit. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul insists that the Holy Spirit is the driving force behind the life of the church, inspiring us to make the proclamation “Jesus is Lord,” and giving us a variety of spiritual gifts to support the church’s ministry and mission. Paul does not believe that there is a “one-size-fits-all” approach to Christianity — instead there are varieties of talents that express true faith: Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit,” says Paul. “All of these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses” (1 Corinthians 12:4, 11).
Notice that the focus here is on the community, not the individual Christian. It is only in the church as a whole that we see all of these important gifts at work. A Christian in isolation might have one or two gifts, but a couple of specific talents cannot accomplish everything that God desires. Focusing primarily on individuals is like trying to win a baseball game with only a catcher … or a left fielder. It simply cannot be done. Alfonso Soriano alone cannot guarantee the Nationals a victory.
Paul wants us to see that the Holy Spirit intersects with Christians in community, giving us a variety of gifts designed to achieve the common good (v. 7). Most clergy, including myself, are satisfied with our position and compensation because our work allows us to use our Spirit-supplied gifts to serve the church. We consider it a privilege to be able to put full-time effort into building up the church, what Paul calls the “one body” of Christ, and we enjoy serving the members of Christ’s body (v. 12).
We clergy are aware, however, that we cannot do this work alone. Ministry is a community activity, not an individual pursuit. Some of you have gifts for teaching, while others are great at encouragement. Some of you are leaders, others are givers, and still others have gifts of compassion (Romans 12:7-8). All of these gifts are important. All are needed. All are offered by the same Holy Spirit.
It’s a critical issue to look at, since many pastors are struggling, financially. The median compensation for full-time Protestant pastors is just $40,000, according to a study from 2001. This sounds inadequate, I know, but it is hard for many congregations to pay much more. The majority of congregations in the United States are quite small — 71 percent have fewer than 100 participating adults, and the median annual budget is $56,000.
But what I find fascinating about this research into clergy compensation is that it reveals something that might surprise you — American clergy have a high level of satisfaction with their positions and their compensation. 97 percent report that they are “very satisfied” with their current position, and 51 percent are “very satisfied” with their compensation.
Why is this? I’m convinced that most of us in pastoral ministry believe that we are engaged in good and important work: Preaching and teaching the Word of God … celebrating the sacraments … praying with and for the people of God. The Lord has given us gifts for the work of ministry, and the church has given us the opportunity to exercise these gifts. What more could we want?
This is the fourth of six sermons in the “Intersections” sermons series -- The Intersection of Gifts and Spirit. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul insists that the Holy Spirit is the driving force behind the life of the church, inspiring us to make the proclamation “Jesus is Lord,” and giving us a variety of spiritual gifts to support the church’s ministry and mission. Paul does not believe that there is a “one-size-fits-all” approach to Christianity — instead there are varieties of talents that express true faith: Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit,” says Paul. “All of these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses” (1 Corinthians 12:4, 11).
Notice that the focus here is on the community, not the individual Christian. It is only in the church as a whole that we see all of these important gifts at work. A Christian in isolation might have one or two gifts, but a couple of specific talents cannot accomplish everything that God desires. Focusing primarily on individuals is like trying to win a baseball game with only a catcher … or a left fielder. It simply cannot be done. Alfonso Soriano alone cannot guarantee the Nationals a victory.
Paul wants us to see that the Holy Spirit intersects with Christians in community, giving us a variety of gifts designed to achieve the common good (v. 7). Most clergy, including myself, are satisfied with our position and compensation because our work allows us to use our Spirit-supplied gifts to serve the church. We consider it a privilege to be able to put full-time effort into building up the church, what Paul calls the “one body” of Christ, and we enjoy serving the members of Christ’s body (v. 12).
We clergy are aware, however, that we cannot do this work alone. Ministry is a community activity, not an individual pursuit. Some of you have gifts for teaching, while others are great at encouragement. Some of you are leaders, others are givers, and still others have gifts of compassion (Romans 12:7-8). All of these gifts are important. All are needed. All are offered by the same Holy Spirit.
posted by Henry Brinton | 3:45 PM
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