Comments on: Bible Boundaries on Your Pastor’s Salary

By: don

don — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:50:35 +0000

And you also, have hit the crux of the issue!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:11:32 +0000

Or…maybe a self determination claimed to be divine…but then, God has ways of taking care of that!

By: don

don — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:08:53 +0000

Nice to here from you again Nancy.

I propose three additional questions.

1. Was this salary under discussion a self determinism or a divine determinism?

2. If it is divine, is there then criticism for God’s predetermined actions?

3. If it is theistic determinism, who or what is the primary cause?

Here is the problem.
Assuming the divine determinism position, This salary must be “right” as it was God who determined it, and under the doctrine of voluntarism, anything God wills is right simply because he wills it.(Piper, Sproul, Gerstner, Edwards, Pink)
In lay terms, God does not act within the bounds of a determined righteousness, but rather, righteousness is determined by the acts of God.

And this my dear, is at the heart of the debate.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 21:59:08 +0000

Unfortunately the organization structure of the majority of our churches makes outside support almost impossible, if the pastor intends to meet family obligations as well. Then, there are the mega churches…should they be restricted and by whom…if not, just what should the salary be based on there? Equal to a corporate CEO?

I know what I think is an over the top life style…but, who should decide what level is too rich? Maybe the income level of the congregation should be the guide…somewhere in the mid range so the pastor is equally yoked with the congregation.

Of course, the Big question…does God KNOW how much they make?…(the over the toppers)

By: Arthur Sido

Arthur Sido — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:40:07 +0000

If the best approach is for elders in the church to support themselves by the labor of their own hands (which I agree with) why is that not the default position?