I’ve had a lot of thoughts and discussion on this subject. I’ve changed my mind quite a bit. From the beginning of my church planting journey I have felt like God wanted me to work independently of the church for financial support. However, through conversations with several pastors I have felt at times like this wasn’t the biblical thing to do. Even though the Apostle Paul served as a tentmaker to make ends meet, he did receive offerings from the churches at times. Often-quoted Scriptures such as 1 Corinthians 9:14 where those that preach the gospel should make their living by the gospel have impacted my thought process.
Neil Cole brings up some great points in his blog post from March 16th. One of his points is this:
While it is not a sin for a church to employ someone, I do think it may not be the best investment of kingdom resources.
In particular, Cole is talking about the context of small, organic churches. He affirms, as I do, that in some instances pastors should be paid. Whether they are paid and why they are paid are the issues. If a pastor comes to plant a church and has a nice middle-class salary already covered, how uncomfortable is he or she going to be? I believe this sense of security actually takes away some of the power of God’s kingdom. Coming with nothing and planting a church for the pure reason of seeing God move and work through a community, relying on support from the community, makes it a whole different experience.
Matthew 10 & Luke 10 show Jesus sending out the disciples without anything. They are not to take money or food believing that the Lord’s message will bring them provision as they travel throughout the land. In Luke 9:58 we find even Jesus traveled and at times didn’t know where he would lay his head and sleep. Going out with nothing promised by the church is a very humbling place to be. Being able to rely upon God rather than money to see things through brings about a power that witnesses to others and causes them to know that God has provided, rather than people. In addition, it eliminates a lot of entitlements that people tend to have over the ministry when they know their money is important to the continued function of the church.
In his supplemental blog post on March 17th, Neil Cole references a word from Dallas Willard on the subject:
Dallas Willard was once sharing at a workshop on ministry in a postmodern world on this very passage. He asked the question, “Why would Jesus tell them not to take a purse at first and now tell them to take a purse?” His answer was, “You don’t know how to handle a purse, until you know how to go without one.”
In the end, I know that my opinion and beliefs really speak to me and affirm what I feel God wants to do in my church planting experience right now. It doesn’t necessarily have to apply to anyone else. However, the beauty of what we are doing here in Sacramento allow us to use almost all of our resources towards making the world a better place filled with love for others, compassion, and kindness. We have intentionally launched our church plant with the thought of giving to others rather than providing salaries for staff or office space or any other expenses that are not absolutely necessary. When we meet the world in weakness and humility, we enable God to be seen in a different way. We have a testimony to share that shows we are empowered by God and not by the hand of man. We are in ministry because we are called to serve and have hearts for seeing others come to know Christ’s love without temptation of a paycheck and a secure existence as middle-class or upper-middle class salaried ministers.
Sure, it’s hard to focus on work, family, and ministry. However, Jesus set the example to go out and have faith in the message of the Good News and that he would provide for us. He called his disciples to do his work in this manner for a reason. I feel those reasons are valid today.
If you were called to minister at your church, but your salary was revoked and that money was used instead to help feed and clothe others, how would you respond? What would God be saying to you in that moment? How much would this affect your faith?
Related posts:
- Sometimes pastors just suck!
- Asian church vs. multi-cultural church, part 1
- Church Planting: Perceptions
- Life by church planting
- Church Planting & Philippians 1
Tags: Luke 10, Matthew 10, Neil Cole
