Various reasons have been advanced promoting the belief that preachers should not be supported financially by the church, and those accepting support are often termed hirelings (a person who serves for hire for purely mercenary motives) by those supporting this opinion. Luke 8:1-3, appears (at least to me) to give scriptural credence for supporting a preacher in his efforts to proclaim the good news of the kingdom:
“Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.“
If Jesus and His disciples accepted provisions from His followers in order to further the good news, why would it be wrong to provide financial aid to a preacher proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God today?
Churches have the option of supporting, or not supporting a preacher, often based on their financial situation; preachers also have the option of accepting, or refusing monetary support based on their financial situation; I see no breach of God’s Word either way, but it doesn’t seem appropriate for a church to hire a preacher, then have some of its members refer to the preacher as a hireling, unless he proves to be guilty of the charge!
What do you think?
I think it’s pretty much always been this way. The elders or congregation finds a preacher and he is “hired” to do a job. As a preacher, I’m not much for feeling like a hireling. I’d rather be looked at as a co-worker or someone on the team. Not someone who has been brought in to do the visiting and bible studies for the church.
I have made a effort every where I minister to use the word co-worker. I’m their co-worker in the faith. I don’t want to be their hired employee.
My two cents. Worth about two cents too… :)
By: Trey Morgan on September 7, 2007
at 4:54 am
I agree with Trey. Churches want men who are degree, have at least 5 year or more experience in ministry. It takes money to pay off school loans and support a family. I as a minister though see that I am working and serving God and doing His will and answering His call in my life. So, if anyone is to blame or nit pick on this hireling thing its the way the Church desires having educated ministers. I think those who focus on hiring a minister need to look at the word of God and see that the elders of the Church were paid were they not. Did they not support Pauls work when they took up an offering to support his journies. Yes, not all preacher are and I dont like the word “hirelings” (sounds old or something). Some, barely make ends meaet that work at small churches serving the Lord. God bless the men who are preaching the Gospel whether they be hired or not. Praise God the word is being spread and that souls are being saved. That should be our focus. I as a minister of God understand that he is my boss and serve Him in all that I do and he will provide and has provided all that I need as I trust in Him and do his will, ministering. We must keep our trust in the one who provides.
By: preacherman on September 7, 2007
at 6:52 am
Trey…
I certainly hope any preacher hired by a congregation would have your perspective.
Some in the church consider anyone being payed for their services a hireling regardless of the preachers motives, this is wrong. Too often preachers are hired to do just about everything the congregation doesn’t want to do themselves, even take on the elders role.
By: larry on September 7, 2007
at 8:05 am
preacherman…
Appreciate your input as always.
I don’t like the word “hireling” when applied to preachers either. Unfortunately there are those who lump all preachers into the hireling category right along with the televangelists like Reverend Ike, who admit that they are preaching for money.
The Scriptures provide ample proof that preachers are worthy of their hire, and I do believe most preachers work from the goodness of their hearts, and not from greed.
By: larry on September 7, 2007
at 8:20 am
Larry this is a subject that has and will be discussed for longer than our short lives here will enable us to solve. but just to raise the level of discussion a little I will ask a question raised by others. and seems to make a lot of sence to me. Why do churches hire a preacher to begin with, what does he or she bring that is not already given freely by God. If they bring anything other than that already written in the scriptures is it helpful or does it hinder understanding from the holy spirit.? If they bring just what is written, do they encourage the christian to read less, when they can just sit and listen. and is that helpful. As Kenny said churches expect preachers to be university educated so they are willing to pay a large salary to get the “Ear tickler” they prefer. Is a person more qualified to preach the word of God with a deploma, than one with many years of study from the bible. (I doubt it) . who was it that said “who does this guy think he is, he is just the son of the carpenter” some of the best speakers I have ever heard was not a professional, and charged nothing for the free word of God.
By: Laymond on September 7, 2007
at 11:37 am
laymond…
Thanks for joining in with your comments.
“Why do churches hire a preacher to begin with, what does he or she bring that is not already given freely by God.”
The local church doesn’t have to hire a preacher, it has the option to present the Word of God using its own members, however, I believe the scriptures clearly teach that the local church has the right to make this decision.
“If they bring anything other than that already written in the scriptures is it helpful…”
Anything presented by a preacher not in accordance with God’s Word should be handled by the elders, and they should make the necessary corrections to insure that the flock is being feed properly.
“Is a person more qualified to preach the word of God with a deploma, than one with many years of study from the bible. (I doubt it).”
I believe a person is more qualified to preach the word of God with a diploma. That doesn’t mean this is always the case, but careful study in God’s Word with qualified Christian teachers with years of experience often gives these students deeper insight into His Word. And I wouldn’t disagree that some colleges have produced some real crackpots, but I think a good Christian education is a great achievement for those loving God, and I’m not talking about a religious hireling
“some of the best speakers I have ever heard was not a professional, and charged nothing for the free word of God.”
We have had different experiences in this matter. Some of the worst speakers I have ever heard were uneducated, and presented God’s Word so mixed up and out of context I couldn’t understand a thing.
Laymond, I believe we agree a whole lot on this matter, I also don’t see the need to hire preachers at the drop of a hat. I like the idea of the members presenting God’s Word to the congregation on Sunday mornings, and using the money saved to give more help to those in the church and their communities. Quite possibly the main thing we might disagree about is whether or not a local church has the scriptural option to hire a preacher.
Thanks for commenting brother.
By: larry on September 7, 2007
at 4:38 pm
Larry I have no objection to a church hiring a preacher. but I don’t see why a person who workes for a paycheck would object to being referred to as an imployee or for that matter a hireling in olden days, I doubt that word is used much anymore. I really don’t see why a person would go to school to become a paid worker, in a certian profession then take offence when someone referred to them as such. I tell you what iritates me with a lot of preachers is they claim to be called to do God’s work elsewhere and after checking into it you find it was actually a larger paycheck that called. I see hiring a preacher the same as hiring anyone, you hire someone who sees things as you do to do what you don’t have either the talent or time to do. I do have a problem with either a politician or a preacher who is hired to do a job then elevates theirself to leader, if they don’t want to be a servant they shouldn’t apply for the job of servant.
By: Laymond on September 7, 2007
at 6:49 pm
Larry your statement that all preachers are not (just) hirelings. I added the just :) is true. but as Jesus said in John 10 when the wolf is at the door of the church, the preacher/hireling most times is the first out the door. many, many times this is just the case. I can verify this in many cases.
Jhn 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Jhn 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
By: Laymond on September 7, 2007
at 7:32 pm
laymond…
Thanks for the response.
If Mr. Noah Webster is correct, the term hireling means; “a person who serves for hire for purely mercenary motives.” Calling a preacher a hireling blatantly accuses him of preaching strictly for money, and not because he loves God and wants to further His kingdom. It’s obvious that an honest preacher would be disturbed by such a label.
It’s impossible to know the extent of religious hirelings in our churches, but I can honestly say I don’t know any CoC preachers that fit Websters definition; I wouldn’t want to bet against them hiding in our midst, it’s just difficult to identify them unless their actions betray them.
It wouldn’t surprise me that some preachers have left congregations in search of more money, but is it possible they were starving to death on what they were paid, and out of necessity had to move on! You could probably reference several preachers who did move for the wrong reasons, but when one considers the thousands of ministers just in the United States alone who are honest, and seeking to please God by using their talents in His service, I don’t think the number of uncaring preachers would be high.
Preachers I have known in the CoC realized they were under the leadership, and authority of the elders, and didn’t seek to be elevated. I’m not saying that in some churches the preachers can’t develop delusions of grandeur, but I just don’t know of any…I do know of a preacher that took over a church where elders were deemed unnecessary.
As one servant of the Lord to another, we may not always agree, but were always brothers, and considerate of each other. Thanks again for stopping by…
By: larry on September 7, 2007
at 8:21 pm
Easton Bible dictionary ; Hireling – a labourer employed on hire for a limited time ( Job 7:1;Job 14:6; Mark 1:20). His wages were paid as soon as his work was over ( Lev. 19:13). In the time of our Lord a day’s wage was a “penny” (q.v.) i.e., a Roman denarius ( Matt. 20:1-14).
When I write on secular things, I like to use Webster, but when I write on biblical things I prefer a bible dictionary.
Good post Larry as always informative and interesting, may God bless
By: Laymond on September 7, 2007
at 9:49 pm
How far have we come to actually believe that “preachers” determine the success or failure of a church? Nowhere!! If the Spirit dwells in any particular body of believers, that body will grow because of the actions of its members. I have witnessed events in which elders have “fired” a highly motivated, well-educated, preacher-servant because the majority of members didn’t “get” the message. It was OUR loss. Whether or not they are considered “hirelings” or are paid servants of God, do all preachers have to be “middle-of-the-road” as to not “offend” anyone? It certainly shouldn’t be a popularity contest. I’m more concerned about these issues. A preacher is a “motivator”, a communicator…and some congregations need to hear the higher truths, even though they don’t want to. Ultimately, the Spirit should select our elders, and also those who preach. Remember, Paul was given monetary support from the body of Christians. (Preachers have to have a roof over their heads and eat too!) And the Spirit should also be heeded when considering how the church and the leaders REGARD and COMMUNICATE the status and worth of the preacher. (Would some consider it a “conflict” if the preacher were an elder as well?) In my church family, many people within the body are involved in the selection process of a preacher…and elders…but it’s “theocratic” rather than “democratic”.
By: Carolyn W on September 20, 2007
at 8:02 pm
Hope ypu are well
By: laymond on October 2, 2007
at 8:55 am
I meant to say “Hope you are well”
By: laymond on October 2, 2007
at 8:56 am
Me, too!
Your opinions have become too occasional!
By: Keith Brenton on October 29, 2007
at 5:00 pm
Last Sunday in Bible class I referred to myself as a hireling. We were discussing elders and they are to be shepherds. Those who will protect the flock and not run when danger comes. As a paid (fair to good salary considering the congregation ) preacher I am not their shepherd. I am hired. Hopefully and prayerfully I will not run when danger comes but I am not their shepherd. I will one day leave. It may be their choice or mine but I will leave. The shepherds will stay and protect. In that sense I am a hireling. A paid employee of the church. Would it be better to not (have) to hire preachers? yes, I believe it would. Will we (COC) ever get to that maturity level? Not in the pace we are moving. Our brethren like to be taught and not the one doing the teaching. I love what I do and do not ever want to do anything else. But will I do it without pay? Yes, I will. Will I continue to be an employee of the church? yes. Will I rejoice and praise God when the congregation tells me that they no longer need my “services?” yes I will. What I need to do is lead the congregation in that direction. Can I do that? Time will tell
Sonny Owens
By: Sonny Owens on December 18, 2007
at 9:05 am
Sonny…
Interesting comments.
Perhaps the word hireling just sounds out of place when referring to the work of a minister. Most of those in the working market are hirelings to those who provide monetary support for their services.
I’m looking forward to the day when a “pew” style
preacher-centered church gathering, becomes a thing of the past, and we worship God with a less rigid and ritualistic approach.
By: larry on December 19, 2007
at 9:26 am
Peace be with the reader.
The time has come, the harvest is ripe.
The Faithful Witness
By: duke on April 9, 2008
at 9:55 am
Almost since my first job after graduating from university I had learned that generally most people still are not to be trusted, they always do need to be supervised, and corruption still exists in construction, universities, municipalities, governments, corporations, amongst professionals and politicians as well. Here is what I know for sure in Canada that the proper policing, management , supervision human rights commissions are a real fact of life, in our society, in schools, life, in churches, governments, commerce, institutions, civil and public services, professional services too, and elsewhere, even on the net, for you will always have those 30 percent at least of the persons who will try to cheat, lie , steal, bend the rules, falsely believe they are above the laws. Self regulation alone is too often pretentious, farcical, often not applied as well. That applies especially to the professionals, civil and public services, police, municipalities, politicians, pastors now as well.
You can fool most of the people most of the time, some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all the time.. nevertheless a good name is worth more than any silver or gold you acquire, and a bad name is disrespected even after the person’s death. One of the most surprising things to me in real life was to witness, experience. and many times now too, that the real bad, immoral con men, liars, thieves, fakers, imposters, pretenders do often like to be associated with a Christian Church .. and can hold positions as Pastors, elders now too..
One of many real life examples, from my childhood days in my local Church I had now encountered a fellow evangelical church attendee, who next years later was eventually arrested for possession of stolen property and for a time went to prison for it. It now next was of course a shock to hear next that this same person years later when he left prison had became an ordained evangelical Pastor. A shock cause there was no real evidence in fact that he had even changed.. Now decades later the same person now claimed to be a chaplain, visiting sailors on ships, and was supposedly conducting church services. The same person had become the owner of various store buildings and apartments, and he also owned and ran an antique shop as well. I next happened to rent one of the apartments from him as well. Upon which I clearly had discovered, often had witnessed that he still was a fake, for he now also was involved in tax evasions, welfare fraud as well. He used his position as a Church chaplain to buy medals, uniform, war souvenirs from visiting port sailors and next to resell them in his antique store for cash even. He in fact had not changed at all, he was still a crook.. So excuse me when now someone claims to me that such and such a person is now a really good person. In reality I rightfully next tend to first check it out firsthand, for rightfully I no longer believe what most people tell me. And especially how good Canada’s evangelical PM Stephen Harper now is too.
By: thenonconformer on October 26, 2009
at 5:19 am