Month: June 2024

HOW MUCH SHOULD WE PAY “THE PREACHER?”

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Frankly Speaking,

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.

I have become all things to all people

so that by all possible means I might save some.

I Corinthians 9:22 NIV

A Minister’s Benefits Package! ~ (Or, Quit Putting a Muzzle on that OX! 😊) Should ministers be paid? Most of us agree that the work ministers do requires some form of compensation. After all, most ministers have spent years of their lives preparing and training to effectively do the work of the ministry. 😊 They feed, encourage, & lead our families.

Now, “How much should a minister be paid?” is very important question. After all, we have seen ministers with jet planes, golden faucets in the bathroom, and huge houses. For every one of these people who have abused the office or title, there are many ministry families genuinely struggling to merely survive without going bankrupt.  The question ought to be, “What can we do to provide for the families of each member of our ministry team?” The question ought never be “How little can we pay them?”

What is our church budget? What is the economy like where the church is located? Many pastors and other staff members serve small churches.  Obviously, the annual budget determines how well a church can support a pastor and whether each minister is full-time or part-time.  One thing you may not realize is that pastors have no Social Security, no retirement, no dental plan, no healthcare coverage, and no life insurance. Most of our employers pay half of our Social Security and Medicare benefits before we ever see our pay checks. Many ministers retire with no plan. ☹

While this may be uncomfortable for some to think about, church leadership must wrestle with this to best support those called by God to lead the church. Dr. John Piper shares insights regrading ministerial compensation.

God shares His plan in I Corinthians 9:1-27. Let’s follow Him.😊

LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST,

Pastor Wes

I PETER 3:15

I’LL SEE YOU IN COURT!

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Frankly Speaking,

When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers!                                ~ I Corinthians 6:1 NLT

SEE YOU IN COURT! ~ Some people say that the BIBLE is full of “gray areas” which have no clear directions for life. Truthfully, the BIBLE gives us complete instructions for life. Some may not like what GOD has to say because we like to do things our own way. However, true Christians must decide to let GOD have total control. Often, we take over because we don’t like what HE has to say. When we do this, we make our selves our own GOD. The BIBLE calls this idolatry. In other words, we become our own idols. OUCH!! Listen to this…

Then HE told them what they could expect for themselves: Anyone who intends to come with ME has to let ME lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat — I am.”                                                                 ~ Luke 9:23 ~ MSG

If this translation seems too modern, then listen to this:

Then HE said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after ME, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow ME.”

~ Luke 9:23 ~ NKJV

The WORD of GOD says, “Do not take your brothers or sisters to court.” This is not a suggestion or guideline. True believers will judge the world and angels. We’re asked what’s so important in light of eternity that is worth suing our fellow Christian. First, to you believe the BIBLE? Second, follow GOD’S plan regardless of your expectations. Isn’t it worth losing something and letting it go for heaven’s sake?

At the end of the day, here’s our checklist: “Did I follow and obey what GOD said in HIS WORD?” The BIBLE calls this obedience. It’s what disciples do! When we are baptized, we proclaim that we no longer live for ourselves: Now, we live for JESUS! ~ SEE YOU IN HEAVEN! 😊

LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST,

Pastor Wes

I PETER 3:15

“ALLOWED” or “ALL-OWED?”

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Frankly Speaking,

12 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.                                     ~ I Corinthians 6:12 NLT

I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT! ~ Some of us invest too much time thinking about what is fair. That is “stinking thinking” as Zig Ziglar said so often. We focus on a word that demands its own way. “I am ALLOWED to do whatever I want!”  Look at the word ~ ALLOWED!

Now, let’s think about what GOD says,

“19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO lives in you and was given to you by GOD? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for GOD bought you with a high price. So, you must honor GOD with your body.”                   ~ I Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT

Think about that word ~ “ALLOWED!” Look at it again … ALL– OWED! Do you see it now? Everything you have is a gift from GOD. It is ALL – OWED to HIM. You were bought with a price. The blood of JESUS cleaned you up and made you acceptable in GOD’S sight.

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, GOD’S very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of GOD, for HE called you out of the darkness into HIS wonderful light.

Once you had no identity as a people; now you are GOD’S people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received GOD’S mercy.

Dear friends, I warn you as ‘temporary residents and foreigners’ to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to GOD when HE judges the world.”                           ~ I Peter 2:9-12 NLT

Hope you will take time to make allowance for this post! 😊

LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST,

Pastor Wes

I PETER 3:15