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Staff Salaries as a Percentage

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by Crucified in Christ, May 28, 2010.

  1. Crucified in Christ

    Crucified in Christ New Member

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    Brothers and Sisters,

    This is the first thread I have ever started, but I was hoping that some of you would provide some assistance. A pastor friend recently mentioned that his church was in a debate as to how much (or more appropriately what percentage) of the total church budget should be spent on staff. This mirrors a discussion that we have had in our church and so I found it very interesting. While I know that no two situations are identical and therefore such answers are not "one-size fits all", I would be interested in your input.

    First, what does your church spend on staff as a percentage of its budget? If you do not know for sure, an educated guess would be appreciated.

    Second, regardless of what you actually spend, in a normative sense, what do you fill is a reasonable range for guidance? Again, I know that actual mileage varies, but I simply want a general rule of thumb that you feel would be appropriate.

    Anyway answers to these questions would be helpful...for myself and perhaps others on here having to address the same question in their own church.

    Thanks and God bless,
    Your brother,
    Crucified
     
  2. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Oh shoot! I just tossed this year's budget but I know that the staff salaries/benefits were the largest percentage of the budget. I'd have to ask how much that percent was, though. Sorry!
     
  3. dh1948

    dh1948 Member
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    For several years, in my church the trend has been in the 45% to 50% range.
     
  4. GBC Pastor

    GBC Pastor New Member

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    I went and looked at our breakdown and staff ran 44% of the total church budget last year.
     
  5. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Even though I am just the church pianist, the pastor insists on including me, the church nursery coordinator, the financial secretary, and the church secretary as "staff". We have those positions, plus pastor, minister of music, minister of education (part-time position), and minsiter of youth (students).

    I just added up all those salaries and it is about 51.5% of our church budget.
     
  6. Bro K

    Bro K New Member

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    0%!!!!!! If members are not willing to freely give their time and talents to further the gospel of Christ; We are in a terrible state of being. We need to get our priorities in tune with God's priorities. MY personal belief is that the furtherance of the Gospel and the teaching of the people are at the head of the list. My budget would consist of: Necessities (utility, insurance, etc), Pastor's salary, Missions, Emergency Fund. It would be nice to have a policy of when we have extra funds; send them to the missionaries on the field.
     
  7. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Bro. K.,

    I appreciate your sentiment--but if you pay your pastor, then the percentage is greater than 0%.




    I believe ours is somewhere around 46%. We have 15 full-time employees (or very near full-time)--that includes ministers, ministry assistants, and support staff (custodian, building supervisor, etc.) We also have 7-8 part-time folks, and some nursery personnel that log just a few hours per month.
     
  8. Bro K

    Bro K New Member

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  9. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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  10. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    1. The pastor isn't staff?
    2. Do you believe that only a pastor should be paid? How about ministry assistants/secretaries/etc? Janitors/Custodians? How about other ministers (music, youth, children, education, etc.)?
     
  11. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

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    Ours runs just over 50%.
     
  12. BroChris

    BroChris Member

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    I'm the new pastor of a small church in a small town. I and the janitor are the only staff members. Combined, our salaries make up 64% of the budget, but nearly all of that is my salary (59% of the budget).

    In the 10 months that I've been here, the church's bank balance has gone down about $500 per month on average because of their step of faith to pay me a full-time salary. We're growing very slowly, but if the balance trend doesn't turn around in the next year or two, I will request a smaller salary and look for another part-time position in town.
     
  13. Bro K

    Bro K New Member

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    Bro Chris.... We need more men with your attitude in our pulpits. :godisgood:
     
  14. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    There are many out there. They just do so without recognition or spotlight (not that our Bro Chris is asking for either).

    Two points:
    1. Churches (or any organization, for that matter) will see most of their dollars go to human resources - staff. It's expensive to have an employee, be he a pastor, the accountant at the lawyer's office, the dental hygenist, whatever.
    2. Churches gripe that such a big percent of their money goes to the preacher. Here's a thought - GIVE as the Bible requires, and your pastor's salary won't be taking up as much of the undesignated receipts :godisgood:
    When the avg Christian gives somewhere around 2-3%, no wonder we have money issues.
     
  15. Crucified in Christ

    Crucified in Christ New Member

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    I truly want to thank you all for your answers to this question. I greatly appreciate your help.
     
  16. Crucified in Christ

    Crucified in Christ New Member

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    No problem annsni. If you come across the answer and feel like posting, I would be interested. Anyway, thank you and God bless you.
     
  17. Crucified in Christ

    Crucified in Christ New Member

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    The Scriptures command that the people of God take care of His servants. Paul was often aggravated with those that tried to be stingy in supporting the work of the Lord. That certainly does not mean that we should pay every person who does something in the church...as you have stated, the church needs a volunteering/self-sacrificing spirit. Still, a church sins when it requires much out of its workers, while neglecting their needs (spiritual, financial, etc.).



    I was including the Pastor as a staff member. He is paid by the church and given benefits by the church...I would certainly see that as qualifying him as a staff member.
     
  18. Crucified in Christ

    Crucified in Christ New Member

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    Chris,
    I am also thankful for your sacrificing spirit. I know of a similar situation where the Pastor had been unwilling to do so and great difficulty ensued. I will pray for you and your church.
     
  19. Crucified in Christ

    Crucified in Christ New Member

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    AMEN! and AMEN! and AMEN!
     
  20. Bro K

    Bro K New Member

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    A staff member is one who is member of a staff. A staff has more than one member; if not an individual would be referred to as an assistant. Every staff
    has a leader to which they report to; which in this case would be the Pastor.
    Pastor's responsibility is that of an Overseer. I Timothy 3: 4-5 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity. (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall be take care of the church of God?).
     
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