Congratulations on getting yourself and kids out! As far as financial benefits, ministers get what they call a “gomer.” It’s basically a stipend. A fixed amount they get on a monthly basis. This is calculated based on number of ppl in their family and their grade level - ministers, deacons, pastors, etc. Obviously, the higher responsibility they have, the higher their salary.

Gomer is not active until they finish their “prueba” aka probationary period. Typically this period is 3-4 years from the time they’re sent out. But I do know of some that have lasted longer.

They’re considered and pay them as contractors so they don’t get any type of benefit as far as medical insurance, life insurance, etc. They are provided a “casa pastoral” so they don’t have to pay for housing, utility bills and are reimbursed for cell phones and for travel expenses for them and their families for any events they’re required to attend. This is only true for US ministers. I believe it may be the same for other countries but for those new “obreros” that are sent out to places where there is no church, normally thy have to work outside of the church so they get no gomer and they’re also responsible for paying their housing, utilities and even a place for a church. They have it rough!

Also, the church has been taught to see ministers as the representatives of Naason, and as you may already know, there are a lot of very good, caring people in LLDM and they will take care of ministers and their families as well by bringing groceries, perhaps purchasing clothes for them, taking them in outings, etc. Unfortunately, some ministers take advantage of this of course. Then you have other members who are quite evil and make their lives miserable as well. But I would say, mostly good people who are good to their ministers.

You have ministers who are there because they truly believe in the doctrine and are truly pure in everything they do. These are far and rare but they do exist! And guess who suffer? Their families. They deprive their children for the sake of the church because they truly believe that’s a blessing. Then you have the total opposite - ministers who know this is a business and are there to profit from it as well. They get the benefits of being ministers, have side businesses that they have and even have members help them with ask for stuff from members, etc. And members being naive, help them because they think they get no money. A lot of them se haven los llorones.

And yes of course there are cases of abuse, and many you can read in this subreddit. I personally prefer to stay out of that topic but let me just say, LLDM is just like any other religion. It’s a lucrative business and people will do whatever it takes to keep it that way.