Christian Living

The Corporate Church

by paul hoffmaster
01/23/22
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One of the biggest adjustments that I have had to make in my pastoral ministry was seeing the simple Gospel elevated into a business enterprise.  The Bride of Christ, which was once adorned with the white robe of purity, has displayed a covering that has camouflaged the Biblical church.  The Christ-like example that Believers have been called on to display has turned into an interpretive faith based on progressive change.  Being a pastor for over 50 years, I have seen the servant’s role elevated into comparison with those of secular employment.  I remember when I started pastoring, money was not a contributing factor in defining the worth of a church.  Pastors have become CEO’s with monetary incentives to bring numerical growth to the “corporation.”  Mega-churches boast of pastoral salaries that dwarf the average income of their members.  Even the smaller churches display pastoral salaries well above the basic income of the people.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly pastoral salary is $52,260 plus benefits.  I have no problem with pastoral assistance, but to live above the average income of the people is pushing the “envelope” a little too far.  I have a hard time seeing a family that is struggling to make ends meet give sacrificially so the financial obligations to the pastor and church will be met.  Maybe pastors should learn to reverse “tithing” and give to those of their flock that needs help.  I have seen pastors driving late model cars while some of their congregations can barely keep their cars running.  It is not a question of financially supporting a pastor, but rather is it done with the right Biblical perspective.

It is amazing to me how many people take Scriptures out of context to build upon their own theories and beliefs.  Years ago, my father told me that no matter what you believe you could find Biblical support!  Why not base our beliefs on the Word of God and support it by our behavior?  For a church to mimic its governmental structure around the corporate world is to ignore God’s blueprint.  The Scriptures that are used to justify financial support for pastors are elasticized to the breaking point.  What about Scriptures that speak to the issue of ministerial income received outside the local church?  I know pastors that are working secular jobs while at the same time overseeing their congregations.  Some of the most effective pastors are those that have identified themselves as co-laborers with their people.  Pastors that are more concerned with extending benefits to their people than they are with their own financial benefits will see a quicker maturity of the Believer.

I thank the Lord for pastors that serve in churches that rely on faith instead of the offering plate.  I remember the first church I pastored.  Every Sunday I would travel 140 miles round trip to bring the Word of God to people that practiced a life of faith.  They generously paid me $120.00 a month.  But the real blessing was having our car filled with produce from their gardens as well as baked goods and chicken.

It is amazing the blessings that await pastors that understand the difference between the “plate” and the Altar.  May churches break with the corporate world and become the earthly example of the Kingdom of God.