Need help

[Gamingphreek]

I go back to College on this coming Monday; however, my Church is having our bi-annual congregational meeting in 3 weeks.

I am very close with my Youth Minister and his family (His daughter and I are best friends). We got to talking today about all the problems that need addressing and of course covered church salaries.

My youth minister works 60 hours/week (Salary so he gets no overtime) plus any time for youth trips and what not. He has 25 years of Youth Minister Experience. Has attended many classes and seminars for Youth Ministers yet makes a tiny salary of $24,490.

The average in 2005 was $39,000.

I was wondering if there was any way you guys who know off-hand (An estimate is fine) how much the Youth Minister at your Church makes annually. If you could post that as well as what region you are in that would help immensely.

Thank You,
-Kevin

 

[TruePaige]

Hmm...pics of this daughter would help me evaluate your situation.

 

[kranky]

At first glance, that's not very much.

Does he get anything beyond his salary? Like housing allowance, car allowance, professional development money, etc.? That's not unusual. What is the overall church budget? How many youth?

 

[aplefka]

I've met a few Catholic youth ministers through mutual friends and the way they talked made it sound like they were maybe around 30-35k.

 

[kalrith]

The youth pastor at my home church makes around $35-40k/year (I think). However, he lives in a house the church owns and only has to pay for taxes, insurance, and utilities. It's a church of 900 with a youth group of around 80 in the Detroit area. He has 15 years of experience and a Bachelor's degree from a Bible college. I think he only works around 40 hours per week. I have no idea about the salary of the youth pastor at my current church.

$25k seems way too low. However, the size of the church, the size of the youth group, and the cost of living of the area all greatly impact the salary of the youth pastor. Also, does he receive any other income in the form of paying for his house, etc.?

You might be able to look up the financial statements of churches in your area. These might include the ministers' salaries. If you have friends at other churches, they should be able to get the financial statements of their churches as well.

 

[TBone48]

My friend was the youth pastor at our church for a few years. He made $30k/year, but was provided with free housing. He was also the worship band leader, so I don't know how the salary breakdown worked out. A lot of youth pastors have multiple positions in smaller churches, so it's hard to figure out what just the "youth pastor" part of the job pays.

 

[bignateyk]

Im pretty sure the "youth leader" position at my parents church is a volunteer spot. Then again, the youth group probably only has about 10-15 kids elementary age, and 10-15 kids highschool age.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: kranky
At first glance, that's not very much.

Does he get anything beyond his salary? Like housing allowance, car allowance, professional development money, etc.? That's not unusual. What is the overall church budget? How many youth?

He gets nothing else at all. He hasn't had a raise in 2 years.

Our Youth Group has about 35 Middle Schoolers, 37 High Schoolers, and an unknown but similar number of Younger Youth.

I don't know the Overall Church Budget off hand, but we have enough to build a $1 Million + Addition to our Church. Our pastors (We have 2 - They are married) make, together, about $130,000 (70,000 and 60,000).

As far as Congregation size, I don't know how many are actually registered, but over the course of 3 Sunday services we have ~120 at 830AM service, ~160 1100AM service, and ~15 at 10AM service. That in addition to a Thursday Service which usually draws about 50 people.

-Kevin

Edit: We live in Fredericksburg, VA (Northern Virginia)

 

[jandrews]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: kranky
At first glance, that's not very much.

Does he get anything beyond his salary? Like housing allowance, car allowance, professional development money, etc.? That's not unusual. What is the overall church budget? How many youth?

He gets nothing else at all. He hasn't had a raise in 2 years.

Our Youth Group has about 35 Middle Schoolers, 37 High Schoolers, and an unknown but similar number of Younger Youth.

I don't know the Overall Church Budget off hand, but we have enough to build a $1 Million + Addition to our Church. Our pastors (We have 2 - They are married) make, together, about $130,000 (70,000 and 60,000).

As far as Congregation size, I don't know how many are actually registered, but over the course of 3 Sunday services we have ~120 at 830AM service, ~160 1100AM service, and ~15 at 10AM service. That in addition to a Thursday Service which usually draws about 50 people.

-Kevin

wow, something is not right.

 

[Journer]

if i recall my old youth pastor made around 50+ ...but he was youth pastor, worship leader, and a hell of a lot more. i'm not even a christian and i loved the guy to death, he was kick ass. but he moved and took a position as a church pastor down south. 'god's calling' my ass, paycheck calling if you ask me

anywho, that was in Birmingham, al

edit: oh i dont remember how big the church was...maybe 500-1500...maybe more i have no diea. the youth was around 100-150 people every wed. he might have made a little more than others though because he took it from 15 people (me being one of them) and a trailer to what it was when he left, which was a huge ass facility and avg 150ppl per wed. night

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: jandrews

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: kranky
At first glance, that's not very much.

Does he get anything beyond his salary? Like housing allowance, car allowance, professional development money, etc.? That's not unusual. What is the overall church budget? How many youth?

He gets nothing else at all. He hasn't had a raise in 2 years.

Our Youth Group has about 35 Middle Schoolers, 37 High Schoolers, and an unknown but similar number of Younger Youth.

I don't know the Overall Church Budget off hand, but we have enough to build a $1 Million + Addition to our Church. Our pastors (We have 2 - They are married) make, together, about $130,000 (70,000 and 60,000).

As far as Congregation size, I don't know how many are actually registered, but over the course of 3 Sunday services we have ~120 at 830AM service, ~160 1100AM service, and ~15 at 10AM service. That in addition to a Thursday Service which usually draws about 50 people.

-Kevin

wow, something is not right.

Agreed, not suer how a pastor (who would obviously know everyone's salary) could be ok with making $60k or $70k while someone busting their ass for the church makes $25k.

 

[mugs]

How does a youth pastor work 60 hours a week? And I assume you meant ~150 at the 10 AM service?

I think your church probably got a loan to cover that $1 million addition. Or a very large one-time donation.

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: kranky
At first glance, that's not very much.

Does he get anything beyond his salary? Like housing allowance, car allowance, professional development money, etc.? That's not unusual. What is the overall church budget? How many youth?

He gets nothing else at all. He hasn't had a raise in 2 years.

Our Youth Group has about 35 Middle Schoolers, 37 High Schoolers, and an unknown but similar number of Younger Youth.

I don't know the Overall Church Budget off hand, but we have enough to build a $1 Million + Addition to our Church. Our pastors (We have 2 - They are married) make, together, about $130,000 (70,000 and 60,000).

As far as Congregation size, I don't know how many are actually registered, but over the course of 3 Sunday services we have ~120 at 830AM service, ~160 1100AM service, and ~15 at 10AM service. That in addition to a Thursday Service which usually draws about 50 people.

-Kevin

Edit: We live in Fredericksburg, VA (Northern Virginia)

Of course I don't have all the facts, but from the above I would conclude your youth pastor is underpaid just from looking at the size of the youth group, and the attendance. If he left, I doubt they could get anyone to replace him for what he's making, unless they got someone fresh out of school who would work there for a year then quit to make more money. And then you would have the revolving door of youth ministers, which is a killer. Ministry isn't all about money, but you'd like to be able to support a family while doing it, and $25K doesn't allow that.

You can't look at how many hours he's working.. it's one of those jobs which are always going to be more than 40 hours/week. They know that going in. A youth minister couldn't be successful if he/she drew a line at 40 hours/week. Kids are going to call you at 9 PM. You have to attend meetings and events in the evening. Parents are going to call during the day. You have to prepare lessons... and on and on. That's just the way it is.

Our church has about 250 members, with about 50 youth, and our youth pastor gets about $30,000 (salary + car allowance), plus medical for his family, plus free housing and utilities in an older 3 bedroom, 2 bath house with garage, plus an allowance for professional development (tuition reimbursement) and a small pension contribution. Adding everything up together, it's probably total compensation of about $45,000. Not a fortune, but not slave wages either.

Seems to me our church is about half the size of yours, and I would be embarrassed to offer a salary of $24,000 to a prospective youth minister.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: kranky

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: kranky
At first glance, that's not very much.

Does he get anything beyond his salary? Like housing allowance, car allowance, professional development money, etc.? That's not unusual. What is the overall church budget? How many youth?

He gets nothing else at all. He hasn't had a raise in 2 years.

Our Youth Group has about 35 Middle Schoolers, 37 High Schoolers, and an unknown but similar number of Younger Youth.

I don't know the Overall Church Budget off hand, but we have enough to build a $1 Million + Addition to our Church. Our pastors (We have 2 - They are married) make, together, about $130,000 (70,000 and 60,000).

As far as Congregation size, I don't know how many are actually registered, but over the course of 3 Sunday services we have ~120 at 830AM service, ~160 1100AM service, and ~15 at 10AM service. That in addition to a Thursday Service which usually draws about 50 people.

-Kevin

Edit: We live in Fredericksburg, VA (Northern Virginia)

Of course I don't have all the facts, but from the above I would conclude your youth pastor is underpaid just from looking at the size of the youth group, and the attendance. If he left, I doubt they could get anyone to replace him for what he's making, unless they got someone fresh out of school who would work there for a year then quit to make more money. And then you would have the revolving door of youth ministers, which is a killer. Ministry isn't all about money, but you'd like to be able to support a family while doing it, and $25K doesn't allow that.

You can't look at how many hours he's working.. it's one of those jobs which are always going to be more than 40 hours/week. They know that going in. A youth minister couldn't be successful if he/she drew a line at 40 hours/week. Kids are going to call you at 9 PM. You have to attend meetings and events in the evening. Parents are going to call during the day. You have to prepare lessons... and on and on. That's just the way it is.

Our church has about 250 members, with about 50 youth, and our youth pastor gets about $30,000 (salary + car allowance), plus medical for his family, plus free housing and utilities in an older 3 bedroom, 2 bath house with garage, plus an allowance for professional development (tuition reimbursement) and a small pension contribution. Adding everything up together, it's probably total compensation of about $45,000. Not a fortune, but not slave wages either.

Seems to me our church is about half the size of yours, and I would be embarrassed to offer a salary of $24,000 to a prospective youth minister.

Thats what we, the youth (and in my case former youth), are thinking. In the Lutheran Church, you are confirmed (Made Adult Members of Church) when you enter High School. And every year, the Council does not report individual salaries but says they will next time. Well, now that I am in College (ie: Perhaps will draw some respect from people who think age is everything), I feel its my turn to give back after my youth minister gave me so much.

Don't misinterpret my post either. He has continuously said that this post is not about the money-- its about doing what he loves-- Ministering God's word to others and helping the youth grow in their faith. He isn't unhappy that he works 20 unpaid hours, he isn't truly unhappy with the pay because he loves the job-- but at the same time there is a point where his selflessness needs to be looked at.

How does a youth pastor work 60 hours a week?

He goes and spends time with the Youth outside of Youth Group. He has to prepare confirmation lessons for the Middle Schoolers. He has to prepare and organize trips, servant projects, and lessons for all those trips. He has to prepare lessons for sunday school for the Middle Schoolers.

The one thing, despite having 25 years of experience, as well as having taken Youth Ministry Seminars, he does not have a College Degree. Obviously the high 40k's would be a bit much at this point because of that.

And I assume you meant ~150 at the 10 AM service?

Nope-- 10AM service is more of a Bible Study service. The 11AM service was a contemporary service (It is very traditional now) and draws the most people.

I think your church probably got a loan to cover that $1 million addition. Or a very large one-time donation.

We did take out a loan; however, the loan wasn't for even half of that. The rest came from the offerings specifically for the addition.

-Kevin

 

[RapidSnail]

Are you planning on petitioning an arbiter for better wages?

 

[GagHalfrunt]

If God wanted him to make more than that it would be part of his plan for the universe.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: RapidSnail
Are you planning on petitioning an arbiter for better wages?

No-- we have a Bi-Annual Congregational meeting.

I plan on presenting a list of things that are problems for our church to the council and not accepting the phrase "We will add it next time" as they have said that for the past 4 years. Seeing as Council is the voice of the Congregation, they need to address the needs that a majority recognize.

From there, assuming I manage to get a slot in the agenda (Or even if I don't for that matter), I'll drive 3.5 hours back from College one night and deliver my message for the congregation asking for a vote at the end (I'll have resources and materials for them to look over if necessary). Then after I spend the 2 hours or so I'll drive back to College for classes the next morning.

-Kevin

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
If God wanted him to make more than that it would be part of his plan for the universe.

I would appreciate it if you took your Atheist comments elsewhere. I would be more than happy to talk with you, and hopefully have a scenario where each of us come away with a more complete understanding, over PM. However, you clearly came into this thread to disrupt something I am trying to do.

Thanks,
-Kevin

 

[villageidiot111]

He's a minister, he shouldn't be in it for the money. It was his choice, now he should live with it. While that isn't a lot of money to most of us it is certainly enough to get by sparcely on. Maybe he should focus on more important things like his ministry.

 

[Lorax]

1. stunned that this thread has stayed mostly on track

2. my church has a PT youth pastor, not sure how much he makes. i'd say around 6k?

if you're going to ask for a raise for your friend, consider asking for a (larger) spending account for him on the job. that money will stay in the church and he'll end up with more "take home" money.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Church Goers...Need help

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: villageidiot111
He's a minister, he shouldn't be in it for the money. It was his choice, now he should live with it. While that isn't a lot of money to most of us it is certainly enough to get by sparcely on. Maybe he should focus on more important things like his ministry.

Perhaps you should read the posts before yours before bashing my friend. Particularly this part:

He has continuously said that this post is not about the money-- its about doing what he loves-- Ministering God's word to others and helping the youth grow in their faith. He isn't unhappy that he works 20 unpaid hours, he isn't truly unhappy with the pay because he loves the job

Not only that, I as well as the other youth are the ones who are upset about his pay. When he makes 24K and the average in 2005 was 39K there is something wrong.

1. stunned that this thread has stayed mostly on track

2. my church has a PT youth pastor, not sure how much he makes. i'd say around 6k?

if you're going to ask for a raise for your friend, consider asking for a (larger) spending account for him on the job. that money will stay in the church and he'll end up with more "take home" money.

The youth group gets enough money to get by. The rest of it is raised by the youth doing servant projects. Not to say that the youth group couldn't use any money, but my Youth Minister deserves a raise at least to somewhere remotely close to the average.

-Kevin