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STOP Paying People to Do Ministry

As they grow, many churches eagerly anticipate the moment when they’re finally big enough that they can afford to hire more staff and offer more ministry options for people.

For example, I’ve heard churches say they can’t wait to hire a men’s ministry pastor. Nothing against men’s ministry per se, but that’s an expensive model. If you run it out to its logical end, you’re going to have a lot of people on your payroll.

Paying people to “do” ministry instead of “lead” ministry is an expensive mistake that many churches fall into.

Here are three principles that will help you focus the staffing and volunteer philosophy at your church.

1. The Professionalism of Ministry has Allowed the Church to Abdicate Responsibility.

Just about every Pastor I’ve ever met generally agrees that their role is to, “equip the saints to do the work of the ministry.” After all, it’s pretty tough to disagree with the Scriptures.

But unless you’re hiring through this filter of “preparing God’s people for works of service” (Ephesians 4:11-13), every time you make a hire you’re robbing the church of the opportunity to be the church, as well as the church staff member of their God-ordained role.

As a church staff member, no job should be beneath you, but at the same time a church staff member shouldn’t do every job either. Just see the conversation Jethro had with his son-in-law, Moses (Exodus 18:13-26).