Dear Pastor Whoever

Dear Pastor Whoever….

Many do not understand the significance of a salaried pastor compared to one supported by contribution. Do you? To clarify the matter, let’s do some supposing. Suppose I was one of the pew-people in your congregation and…. no, no, no, let’s get wilder yet!Let’s suppose that I am the pastor and you are one of hundreds of pew-people. I know this calls for some powerful pretending on your part, but be a sport. Okay? If the collection envelope were itemized in such a way that you could write down the amount to be contributed to me (let’s make that Pastor Me), it would compel you to make a prayerful decision. Yes, Jesus would be the actual decision-maker, a positive step toward making Him Lord in fact and not name only. On the other hand, if I, Pastor Me, were salaried, you do not have a say in the matter, no need to consult Lord Jesus.

Only the Holy Spirit knows the will of Jesus. Jesus may want your contribution directed elsewhere, perhaps to one within (or without)the congregation with a severe need. Or directed to an evangelist. Or to a sunday school teacher equally worthy. Or to whoever. Who knows the will of Christ except the Spirit sent by Christ? You might conclude my preaching lately isn’t doctrinally sound. Or my preaching isn’t Christ-centred. Why should you support me?

A lack of congregational support might cause me to go deeper in Christ. Perhaps Jesus is telling me my lifestyle should be simplified,as was His. And if I balked at such a correction, perhaps He would have me (horror of horrors!) get… a… job! (Yes, a part time job. Areal estate agent, maybe. Or a self-employed whatever.)

The day I demanded a salary instead of support through contributions is the day I became, by definition of the word, a hireling.(Hirelings, I understand, do not fare well at “the judgment seat”.)

Thanks for being a good sport.

Larry Jones