There are some interesting questions about pastors out there in our society. I did a quick cursory look at questions people ask concerning pastors on Google. And I came up with this sampling of some random questions just for fun.
And of course I thought I’d provide my answers.
Enjoy!
Can a pastor sell a church?
Um, no.
First, contrary to popular word usage and socio-cultural assumptions, the church is the people. It’s not the building. And so, no. Pastors can’t sell the people who go to the church they serve.
But assuming the questioner is referring to the church building, then…
The answer is still “no.”
That is, unless you are part of some very odd and unregulated denomination or cult.
In virtually all cases, church buildings and properties are owned by either the local congregations or by denominations. They are not owned by the pastors, who are (in almost all cases) employees of the church or denomination they serve.
Are pastors allowed to marry?
In the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church, priests and bishops are expected to remain unmarried and celibate.
I do not believe this requirement or obligation is wise or biblically based.
I’m a Baptist. And Baptists (like most Protestant and virtually all evangelical communities) are very much pro-marriage, including for pastors.
(Shout out to my wife of 28, going on 29, years. 🙂 )
Should pastors be held to a higher standard?
Yes and No.
I can’t think of something that’s a sin for a pastor to do, but is okay for an everyday Christian. If you read the qualifications of a pastor, including the list of prohibitions (things a pastor shouldn’t do), you would be hard-pressed to say those things are just fine for “regular” lay Christians to do.
For example, pastors aren’t supposed to be “violent” or “quarrelsome” (I Timothy 3:2), but does that mean regular church members can be?
Hardly.
Still… pastors are (at least within the context of their role within the church they serve) public figures. As such, it’s important that they maintain a credible and authentic public testimony and that they do not exploit, mistreat, or take advantage of those they serve.
Can pastors endorse political candidates?
As far as the Internal Revenue Service is concerned, pastors in the United States may endorse political candidates or parties so long as they do so as individuals and NOT in their official capacities.
As far as the Bible is concerned, pastors should cast their allegiance with the King of Kings and should stay above the political fray. I’ve been the senior pastor in a church for 15 years and I’ve never endorsed a candidate or party for election.
Individually, I vote like any other responsible citizen. But, as a pastor, my responsibility is to “preach the word” (II Timothy 4:2), and not a particular candidate or party’s platform.
Can pastors drink?
I think for a pastor – or any human being – to refuse to drink beverages (especially water) would be ill-advised.
🙂
In all seriousness, this question really is getting at alcohol, as in…
Can a pastor drink alcohol?
My position and personal conviction is that pastors should steer clear of alcoholic beverages. I base this on the warning in Proverbs, which says:
Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Proverbs 20:1, NKJV
I’m aware that people often got sick drinking water in ancient times, as was the apparent case with Timothy, which is why Paul encouraged the use of a “little wine” (see I Timothy 5:23), but…
Using fermented wine or alcohol for medicinal or decontaminant purposes is not the same as using it for entertainment or (worse) to cope with depression or other issues (mental health, anxiety, etc.).
We have the Holy Spirit for that, and do not need alcohol.
Pastors should, in my view, set the example and steer clear of alcoholic beverages.
I realize many Christians disagree with me on this, and they have a right to be wrong.
🙂
Should pastors be involved in church finances?
This really calls for a separate article. But as a quick answer…
Should they be involved?
Yes and no.
Pastors should oversee the church, including its financial health. In that sense, yes, they should be involved in church finances.
But, in my strong opinion (and based on what I see in the New Testament – like, say, Judas stealing money from the disciples’ funds), pastors should not have their hand directly in the church finances.
At least not individually.
This requires a longer article (which I can write later), but accountability and checks-and-balances are important (crucial, I would say) when it comes to church finances.
Should pastors be paid?
While there are a lot of people out there saying otherwise, the Bible is clear. So I’ll let the word of God speak for itself.
First, Jesus teaches that anyone hired to do a job is “worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7), meaning that people who work should be paid.
As for pastors specifically…
For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.
I Corinthians 9:9-14, KJV
Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
Galatians 6:6, NKJV
How much should pastors be paid?
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer worthy of his reward.
I Timothy 5:17-18, KJV
This word “honor” (or “honour” in the classic KJV) is based on the Greek term from which we get the word honorarium, and thus it refers to valuing someone to the level that you show your appreciation by compensating them.
And Paul is instructing Timothy that those elders (a term which is often used, as in this case, interchangeably with pastors) who “rule well” should be given double value.
So…for those of you reading this who attend Olney Baptist Church, that means: If you feel led to give me a Dairy Queen Blizzard, then … if you believe I’ve done a good job … you should give me two Dairy Queen Blizzards.
Make sense? 🙂
(By the way, I like the Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard and also the Mint Oreo one. 🙂 Just kidding. I’m actually on a diet. *Sigh*).
Can you be a pastor and have another job?
For those churches who can’t afford a full-time pastor (or, who for theological or philosophical reasons, don’t pay their pastor), the answer is obvious: Of course.
As for full-time pastors having a job outside of the church they serve…
Biblically, there is no prohibition on this. On the contrary, it was not uncommon in the first-century church for church leaders to make money outside the church, as is evidenced by none other than Paul (see Acts 18:1-3).
Keep in mind, that in the ancient world, you didn’t have 40-hour work weeks and all the labor laws we’re accustomed to in twenty-first century America.
Personally, I believe it’s a good thing for a pastor to be engaged at times in pursuits outside of the church he serves. Otherwise, pastors become “Bubble People” and have a difficult time relating with the members they serve — members who very much are frequently engaged with people outside the church.
What’s more, if pastors need extra money (for retirement, college for their kids, paying down debts, or just making ends meet), why not let them get a part-time job or do some work in their (albeit limited) spare time to bring in some extra income?
Of course, different churches and various denominations will have their own policies on this kind of thing.
And in all cases, if the pastor is full-time, then the pastor’s principal commitment (job-wise) needs to be to the church he serves.
Should pastors tithe?
Yes
Should pastors be rich?
Well, I don’t have any personal experience with this :-), but…
Contrary to popular misconception, the Bible is not against people being rich. It’s not wrong for someone to be rich.
The Bible is against making money your god.
The Bible is against greed and covetousness.
The Bible is NOT against money itself.
Or even wealth.
If God were against wealth, how do you explain folks like Job, Abraham, or Solomon?
And for pastors specifically, we have this exhortation from the Apostle Peter:
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.
I Peter 5:2, NKJV
So… if God blesses a pastor with wealth, that’s between that pastor and God. Again, there’s nothing inherently wrong with wealth. But…
If a pastor pursues “dishonest gain,” that is a clear no-no.
What’s more, a pastor should be “eager” to serve the flock God has called him to shepherd and serve, and should not, therefore, see that flock as dollar signs.
Should a pastor live lavishly?
Once again, as mentioned above, I don’t have any personal experience with this per se.
However…
This is really a comparative matter.
Even though my wife and I are very much in the middle-class in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, the reality is that middle-class living in twenty-first century America is “lavish” compared with how many pastors live today in other parts of the world.
And it’s certainly lavish compared with how pastors have lived in previous centuries — such as the first century.
I have no doubt that I live lavishly compared to how Paul and Peter lived.
And so do you.
The bottom line: Each person is accountable to God for what God has blessed them with. That’s true for pastors and everyday people alike.
To whom much is given, much is required. (See Luke 12:48)
Don’t flaunt your blessings.
Use what God has blessed you with to bless others.
Can pastors refuse to marry a couple?
Of course
Some couples shouldn’t get married.
Can a pastor date a church member?
Presumably, this question refers to a pastor who is single or whose spouse has passed away. In such a case, can a pastor date someone attending the church he is serving?
There is nothing in Scripture that addresses this directly, but a couple general principles…
The pastor is the elder, overseer, and shepherd of the flock.
For this reason, it’s very challenging when the pastor forges close friendships or relationships with people in the flock.
Friendships will naturally form, and pastors will inevitably become closer with some members than others. But I’m of the strong opinion (especially after 15 years of experience) that…
A pastor must be the pastor first!
I try to politely and diplomatically make clear to all my friends (who also are in the church family I serve) that “I’m your pastor first.” And that means, there will always be a bit of a barrier – a bit of a wall.
This is what makes pastoring quite lonely, but it has to be this way.
And that would certainly and obviously include a dating relationship.
I personally can’t see it and would deem this very unwise.
I would certainly advise great caution and care as well as intense accountability from other pastors and godly friends.
If a pastor does form a close relationship (friendship or dating) with a church member, that relationship must be in obedience to God and fully honoring of God.
And, in that spirit, if the pastor is already married and his wife is a member of that church (which hopefully is the case), then… yes, it’s okay for a pastor to date his wife. 🙂
How many wives can a pastor have?
Yes, this is a question periodically typed into Google.
According to I Timothy 3:2, the answer is…
One
Well… I hope you have enjoyed this Q&A based on a sampling of questions people type into the Google search engine every month.
Feel free to offer any comments or additional questions in the comments.
Blessings!
If you’re on Facebook, be sure to follow our church @OlneyBaptistChurch and my pastor page @PastorBrianTubbs
This was great and love your humor!