July 18, 2019
By Paragon News Director Paul Joseph –
Most people don’t realize that church and other pastors face significant financial challenges.
Many Christians, in fact, don’t know that:
- 90 percent of pastors feel financial pressure
- 50 percent of pastors make less than $50,000 per year while serving their churches 50-60 hours or more a week
- 60 percent of pastors do not receive retirement, healthcare or other employee benefits from their churches
That’s why yesterday, July 17, 2019, the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) is launching “Bless Your Pastor” (BlessYourPastor.org), a national campaign to help congregations “show and share God’s love” for their pastors in creative and practical ways.
Brian Kluth is the national spokesperson for the “Bless Your Pastor” movement.
He says the campaign is part of a larger initiative to address financial challenges faced by pastors. It’s funded by a $1 million, 3-year grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
Kluth says the movement encourages and equips churches to consider creative ways to bless their pastors and to take up a special appreciation offering for their pastors. Some churches may decide to extend this campaign to church staff members, in addition to their pastors.
Kluth is a former pastor, himself, and saw the need up close and personal as his wife and three kids nursed his wife through major medical struggles and treatments. He says he understands the financial struggles.
The 50 ways to Show God’s Love to Your Pastor brochure shows how to participate. It’s available at BlessYourPastor.org.
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