It's time to change the way pastors get paid

Many of us held our annual meetings yesterday. For some, this is what happened...

The meeting was held after the morning service. Some churches have a short gathering in the sanctuary. Others go to the fellowship hall. If you’re a fellowship hall sort of church, hopefully there was food, because people feel a whole lot less cranky on a full stomach.

The committees got to tell all of the amazing things that they did over the last year. It was fantastic. Incredible stuff. Habitat Houses were built. Food pantries were stocked. Domestic shelters were supported. Children were loved. Not to mention all of the care and commitment that the pastoral staff put into the church—worship services, hospital visits, counseling sessions, and things that cannot be named or enumerated. We kind of take it for granted, because we’ve been doing all of this for so long.