Income of Pastor

[Inkstain82]

And as far as taxes go, most of what they make isn't taxable.

Hmm. My dad has been overpaying for years, then. He's a minister of a church of about 100 people, and is considered self-employed for tax purposes (which is weird, he doesn't own the church and is an at-will employee of the church board).

[boosami]

Hmm. My dad has been overpaying for years, then. He's a minister of a church of about 100 people, and is considered self-employed for tax purposes (which is weird, he doesn't own the church and is an at-will employee of the church board).

It's not uncommon to have an employer and still have to pay self-employment taxes. I did that for years as an "independent" IT consultant. I was technically employed at a real company, received benefits like insurance from them, but was paid hourly with no tax withholding. I filed my taxes on Schedule C as self-employed.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

interesting that there is a wide range of what pastors make on the board.

[disneysteve]

interesting that there is a wide range of what pastors make on the board.

Not really a surprise. There is a wide range of what any occupation makes. It depends on various factors like geography, size of company, age/experience level of employee, etc.

As I said, our current senior rabbi makes about 130K. The rabbi he replaced, who had been with us for over 40 years, was making quite a bit more than that when he retired. And I'm sure if you look at a congregation our size in a lower COLA, their rabbi probably makes less than ours. Or look at a higher COLA area, like NYC, and they probably make a fair amount more than ours.

[kork13]

interesting that there is a wide range of what pastors make on the board.

Just to throw in at the bottom of the barrel, my church's "pastors" (not the term we use, but close enough) is an unpaid job... it's completely voluntary, and also changes every few (3-5) years. Personally, I really like that -- that my church leaders are just like the members, holding down a steady job, and at the same time giving of his time/efforts for the church membership. Lead by example, no? But, that's just my own view, and I respect the fact that many churches choose to operate differently, whether by doctrine or otherwise.

[GREENBACK]

As a child I remember our southern baptist minister who worked for a whiskey distiller, though I'm sure he never drank a drop. He came to church in his big white cadillac with his diamond ring and big gold tooth right in the front of his mouth. All the talk was about how he was paid too much and how to reduce what the church gave him. He was by my acoount a great and wonderful man. I think this argument exists probably worldwide.

If he's doing what he's supposed to do...i.e. helping people to a degree far beyond what most of us would do don't get crazy about what he makes. We pay pro athletes millions to watch them throw or hit a ball which really doesn't benefit anyone's soul.

[maat55]

Hmm. My dad has been overpaying for years, then. He's a minister of a church of about 100 people, and is considered self-employed for tax purposes (which is weird, he doesn't own the church and is an at-will employee of the church board).

I'm not fully sure why, but pastors have an opt out option with the government. They get to choose wether to pay in and collect SS or not.

It is an option based on religious beliefs. I'm trying to figure out why I can't take this option.

Article: Opting out of Social Security

[nmboone]

I am not a religious person by any means, and probably will never be (though I love researching the lives of Catholic Saints, lol), but I think it is terrible for a preacher to make this much. It doesn't matter what a wonderful person they are. If they are a Christian in my opinion, then they should be putting the word of God out there and not stuffing their savings account. I don't believe they should live like paupers of course, because they have to have a life too and have bills like the rest of us. They should be a good role model for others by putting money towards charity such as the poor. And don't get me started on prosperity preachers (Joel Osteen and the like.) It's disgusting at best. Huge mansions and expensive cars should never be a part of a pastor, preacher, etc. life. And if they do happen to have a lot of money due to a day job or from family, I don't think they should ever show it off.

[project15]

That's interesting. I've never heard of something like that before. How do you determine the income of all of your members? That certainly isn't information that I would share with my temple. It isn't any of their business to know how much I earn.

Well it's not specificly the exact average. We base it off the average income of the city the church is in based on censuses.

[asmom]

All churches are products of the members. If those members let them be a big old entertainment spot for Sunday morning, than that is what they are. If on the other hand the members encourage each other to reach out and do more then prolly will. If you are not happy with the way your church is acting, speak up and or find another.

I couldn't agree more. That is why I don't belong to a church.

[disneysteve]

I think it is terrible for a preacher to make this much. It doesn't matter what a wonderful person they are. If they are a Christian in my opinion, then they should be putting the word of God out there and not stuffing their savings account. I don't believe they should live like paupers of course, because they have to have a life too and have bills like the rest of us.

I wouldn't argue with that, but who decides how much is enough if not the preacher's own congregation? If somebody is making 100K or 200K or 500K, it is only because the congregation employing him agreed to pay that much. If a church/synagogue is looking to hire a new clergy person and is offering $300,000, should applicants come in and say, "I'd really like this job but only if you lower the salary to $100,000."

[nmboone]

That is true Steve. I suppose if a congregation is ok with letting a leader of the church have a ridiculous income, then whatever.

[GREENBACK]

I say judge him by his work and not by his income. What does he/she do with that money. Do you do more positive things with that money that goes to his salary? If he's living the high life versus helping those in need then make your judgement.

[disneysteve]

I say judge him by his work and not by his income. What does he/she do with that money. Do you do more positive things with that money that goes to his salary? If he's living the high life versus helping those in need then make your judgement.

Exactly. Some of the richest people in the world give billions to charity: Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, George Soros, etc. Sure they make an obscene amount of money, but they use it to help millions of people.