Archive for the 'Money' Category

The Pastor’s Extra Income


A little light on cash this holiday season… or all year round? Pastoring, in many cases, is not a well-paying business to be in and sometimes pastors need to have an extra source of income to supplement a low salary at the church. As Dave Ramsey says, there are two sides to the equation: income and outgo. Perhaps your income is low because you’re fresh out of college and this is your first pastorate, you are in small church that can’t afford a full-time pastor’s salary, your position is only part-time, or the church flat out isn’t paying you enough. On the other hand, maybe your present lifestyle is exceeding your income, you have debt because of school loans or poor choices in the past, or life happened and you’re having to pay medical bills from a serious illness. For whatever reason, you need to earn income from another source and your spouse is already working or is staying home to care for your family.

As an aside, let me say that pastors should be paid well and, if possible, be able to support his family adequately with his income alone. It is generally accepted, except in those churches that believe they should keep their pastors humble, that a pastor should earn an income representative of those in his congregation. 1 Timothy 5:15 (ESV) states, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.”

Following are some guidelines you can try to follow when looking for ways to supplement your income as well as specific sources of extra income.

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