Ministry pay scales

In my work with churches and Christian organizations I am often privy to their pay scales. And to be honest, they often bother me - specifically three observations.


1. There is far too great a differential between the senior staff and those who are in the next level down. Boards appropriately ensure that their senior staff are well paid in most cases. However, they are less careful to ensure that the rest of the pay scale is pulled up so that there is not an undue gap between the top and the next levels down.


I rarely quibble with the senior staff salaries I see. In my circles they are moderate and not extravagant. Often they do not reflect the scope of responsibility that these leaders have. But, the gap between their fair pay and the next levels down I often have a quarrel with. Which leads me to a second observation.


2. We often do not pay our lowest staff a fair wage but as little as we can legally pay. This includes building engineers, clerical, and administrative assistant level folks. My question is why? If our pay scales are appreciably lower than what the market pays why would we be OK with paying salaries that are not comparable with the market? If a pastor is worth his wages (and we can quote the scripture on that one) why are not others? 


I give honor to the many underpaid workers in Christian settings but I am sad that we of all people do not treat our staff with the dignity due them. Is this what we want to be known by? 


3. It amazes me but I still see differentials at times between what men are paid and women for the same or similar positions. As a society we have gotten beyond that in most good workplaces. We need to get beyond that in our ministry settings.


I have several suggestions.
First, look at the differential between your top paid staff and the next levels down and ask if it is fair and appropriate. 


Second, take some time to look at all salaried positions and ask if there are any that look odd to you - too high or too low.


Third, spend a few dollars or go to any number of free sites to get comparables for like positions in the marketplace to see where you sit.


Fourth, where adjustments should be made, come up with a plan to make them over a period of months or years and review your salary structure every three to four years.


We do not serve a cheap but a generous God. Let's be generous with our staff whom we say are the heart of our ministry!

Sex trafficking in the open

I am currently in Hong Kong where I grew up. It is a wonderful city but within blocks of my hotel is a sign for women - on the street - with prices that differ by nationality. Right in the open, in Mongkok. These women have become a commodity, and not only a commodity but valued monetarily by whether they are Thai, from Hong Kong, China or Russia. Oh, there is a free preview to pick your product.


It is an evil devaluation of individuals who are made in God's image. God's heart must be deeply grieved by the "use" of people He created, loves, died for, and meant for relationship with Him. These are someone's daughters, sisters and mothers. They are women that God wants to make daughters of the king. Rather than being loved they are being used as objects of lust an hour at a time.


This is the face of sex trafficking. It is the face of evil. It is the face of lives and dreams destroyed. It is the face of the evil one whose whole MO is to destroy people made in God's image. The question is whether we are pained as Jesus is pained. Whether we are willing to take action when this happens in our neighborhood and city. 


The Lord said through Isaiah:
Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 58:6-8.


Do we have God's heart?