Thursday, March 4, 2010
Should Pastors Be Salaried?
A blog I follow, Early Church Studies, has linked to a 1997 piece by Darryl Erkel entitled Should Pastors Be Salaried? The author makes a solid case that believers in the New Testament church did not regularly pay those in positions of spiritual leadership. And those who, like Paul, might be able to demand remuneration actively eschewed the notion so that the gospel would not be hindered.
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Whether the early churches paid their teachers is irrelevant to whether it is permissible biblically. I know Plymouth Brethren eschew the idea, as do Mormons and other cults, as well as many aberrational movements. However, when one is a full-time pastor 9-the shepherd of a local assembly - it is virtually impossible to work in at "tent-making." A true pastor not only spends time studying so as to be able to properly preach the word and protect his flock from wolves, but he is also engaged in caring for the members of his flock in visitations, counseling, etc.
Biblically, you will find justification for paid leadership in Matt. 10:10; Lk. 10:7,16; 1 Cor. 9:6-18; 2 Cor. 11:7-9; Gal. 6:6; 2 Thes. 3:9; 1 Tim. 5:17-18.
Paul may not have accepted payment all the time, but he never said it was wrong to accept, and even made it clear that the teacher was worthy of his pay.
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