a Biblical thought...
There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular. (Luke 6:26)
There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular. (Luke 6:26)
a Book thought...
Commissioning for ministry implies that there is a task to be done, progress to be made, a battle to be fought. It suits the pilgrim Church, which places little stock in the status quo and great stock in forward movement under its Lord’s leadership. (p49 Needham)
a Dave thought...
Over 5 years ago I was on staff at our church and felt that it was important that I was paid a reasonable salary so I could keep up with our mortgage and desired standard of living. After this time I have since been on an officers allowance so have experienced both ends of salary structures in our movement. While working for the church many asked or wondered how much I was getting paid and questioned how many hours I was doing and so on. Then the fact that I was receiving more than the CO, who had far more responsibility and required greater skills, did not sit quite right with me either.
I believe it is a biblical model where we do not work just for a certain salary or pay rise but we are available 24/7 to do God’s work and we all get the same allowance to carry out that calling. I love also that as we carry out different appointments there is no difference in our allowances. Surely that helps with those that are wondering how much we are getting paid to carry out different jobs. I am also a fan of making ministry staff Lieutenants wherever possible as again it takes out the whole pay and hours dilemma that continue to raise questions in our congregations. So although it has taken me time to appreciate our system I love the fact that the Commissioner and myself get the same allowance, and if you are interested anyone else who signs up for officership is also able to join us on the very top pay scale from day one.
Just a thought.
Commissioning for ministry implies that there is a task to be done, progress to be made, a battle to be fought. It suits the pilgrim Church, which places little stock in the status quo and great stock in forward movement under its Lord’s leadership. (p49 Needham)
a Dave thought...Over 5 years ago I was on staff at our church and felt that it was important that I was paid a reasonable salary so I could keep up with our mortgage and desired standard of living. After this time I have since been on an officers allowance so have experienced both ends of salary structures in our movement. While working for the church many asked or wondered how much I was getting paid and questioned how many hours I was doing and so on. Then the fact that I was receiving more than the CO, who had far more responsibility and required greater skills, did not sit quite right with me either.
I believe it is a biblical model where we do not work just for a certain salary or pay rise but we are available 24/7 to do God’s work and we all get the same allowance to carry out that calling. I love also that as we carry out different appointments there is no difference in our allowances. Surely that helps with those that are wondering how much we are getting paid to carry out different jobs. I am also a fan of making ministry staff Lieutenants wherever possible as again it takes out the whole pay and hours dilemma that continue to raise questions in our congregations. So although it has taken me time to appreciate our system I love the fact that the Commissioner and myself get the same allowance, and if you are interested anyone else who signs up for officership is also able to join us on the very top pay scale from day one.
Just a thought.
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2 comments:
Hi Dave,
There are some tricky elements in this one. Like yourself, I have been paid by The Salvation Army at different times as both an employee and as an officer. In my current role, I am also partly responsible for determining and negotiating rates of pay for the employees in our network. Issues around equity and remuneration levels are important ones. Though as officers, we may see our role as a calling more than a job, we also need to be sensitive to all those people who we rely upon to keep this Army running and very careful that we don't end up undervaluing them. JDK
"20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." Matt 6:20-21
Thankyou to all officers in the Salvos for the great work you do - you will be rewarded in heaven!
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