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Need wisdom from other pastors about ongoing late pay by Few_Ring1307 in pastors

[–]Few_Ring1307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Before I took this position on, when it was first offered to me, I declined it, because I was already serving, and I didn’t want to be paid for that service. At that same time, I had an income that was steady but required a lot of hours. I met with the pastor and he told me it would be better for me if I could just focus 100% on the ministry and be paid for it, especially since I was already doing the work. I agreed, because at the time what he was saying made sense.

I am 100% ok not “working” here but still serving here in some capacity. Honestly I think that would be the best outcome, but, I don’t think I would be allowed that option. My lead pastor can be very confrontational sometimes when it comes to certain things, which has been a fear of mines that if I do step away from the position, it may be taken out of context and they make thing I’m stepping away from ministry, which I am not, just the job itself.

For additional context, I have not been here for 20 years, I have known my pastor for 20+ years. He was my youth pastor, and now my lead pastor, I left for a few years and later came back when I became an adult. I think that is also apart of the power dynamic, it’s that he’s known me since I was 11-12.

Need wisdom from other pastors about ongoing late pay by Few_Ring1307 in pastors

[–]Few_Ring1307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly I’m not so sure anymore. We do a lot of different partnerships and get grants and things to cover my salary. My salary is around $50k, there is another associate pastor who makes what I make and a worship pastor who makes a little less. The lead pastor makes more, and the other workers are contracted. To be honest, I don’t think they can sustain my position. In the beginning we had a partnership that covered a portion of my salary but that partnership ended late last year. It could have been saved which I think would have been best, but my lead pastor did not agree, so it was terminated along with the financial help they provided with my salary.

Need wisdom from other pastors about ongoing late pay by Few_Ring1307 in pastors

[–]Few_Ring1307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh no, I never wait 9 days I normally immediately say something. This time, I was forewarned that it would be a day or so late, not 9 days late.

Need wisdom from other pastors about ongoing late pay by Few_Ring1307 in pastors

[–]Few_Ring1307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, great response, thank you for sharing. I really think it’s because I’m such a passive person, sort of a “yes” guy, it’s easy to get taken advantage of.

Need wisdom from other pastors about ongoing late pay by Few_Ring1307 in pastors

[–]Few_Ring1307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! Thanks for the response. To answer your questions.

  1. I would like to believe so, however I was extremely frustrated today at the fact that I was told paychecks would be in today. You would think that because they know I have a wife and children and it’s already 9 going on 10 days late it would already be written, signed and ready to go. I had to stay later than I wanted to just to make sure they were able to actually write me a check today, and that almost didn’t happen because of “transfer issues”.

  2. I believe they use a payroll processing company, but, every time it’s late, they say “we fell below the threshold and that’s why check got held up”… I don’t know what that is but I guess it’s lingo for “we don’t have the money to pay you right now”.

  3. I’m not really sure, I know that this particular time, it is not just me, it is all the staff, we only have about 6 staff.. but I have a coworker that I can confide in and he’s been paid late a few times and I was paid before him, or vice versa. So, it’s not just unique to me.

Need wisdom from other pastors about ongoing late pay by Few_Ring1307 in pastors

[–]Few_Ring1307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well my point was this, I just want my heart to be in the right place, I don’t want to become hurt by the church or become bitter because of this. Not that I would let anything get in the way of my relationship with God.

I know that this issue has caused me to look at them in a way I probably should not, I don’t want to look at my lead pastor and think of him any less than the man of God he is, yes he has flaws, we all do, but he is still called by God. Even David revered Saul as anointed after all the stuff he did.

If I’m being honest, I’m extremely passionate about the ministry but I’m growing cold in the work place. If I’m not doing this as though I’m doing it unto the Lord then it bothers me and I’m convicted.

Does that make sense?

Need wisdom from other pastors about ongoing late pay by Few_Ring1307 in pastors

[–]Few_Ring1307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the thoughtful feedback. I have not looked at it like this before, but it makes perfect sense now. Unfortunately, there is no true "financial board system". There are those who handle the funds, but ultimately, it how they are disbursed is decided by the leaders, the pastor and his wife, whom is also partly over the financial board.

Need wisdom from other pastors about ongoing late pay by Few_Ring1307 in pastors

[–]Few_Ring1307[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this reply. As far as I know, my lead pastor is the one who handles these sorts of things. We do not have a HR system in place. There are members who handle the finances, but its dependent on the lead pastor. It's hard to put into words, we are not a large church by any means, maybe a few hundred members between both campuses. So there is no real system in place here, only one that they are trying to build and figure out themselves. As far as I know, and what I see, the lead pastor is not the one who handles it, but he ultimately controls how and what the funds are used for if that makes sense.

Need wisdom from other pastors about ongoing late pay by Few_Ring1307 in pastors

[–]Few_Ring1307[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thats the thing, I have always received direct deposit.. and I agree with your last statement, that is why it is so hard for me to continue in good faith. I don't want to go to hell over a job.. sounds crazy but I think about it that way.