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Difference between revisions of "Paid and unpaid Church leaders"
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<b>Local Leadership (Ward and Stake)</b><br> | <b>Local Leadership (Ward and Stake)</b><br> | ||
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Much of the day-to-day “ministering” that goes on in the Church takes place at the local, i.e., ward and/or stake level. That is, neither bishops, stake presidents, relief society presidents, elders quorum presidents, nor any other leader or auxiliary worker at the ward/stake level receives any kind of pay for the temporary, volunteer service they render. They likewise do not receive any kind of scholastic training to prepare them for their service. A bishop usually serves for a period of 5 years, for example, but he remains in his normal occupation (accountant, welder, business owner, etc.) while he serves as a bishop. Early morning or release-time seminary teachers are an exception, but they are considered employees of CES (Church Education System).<br> | Much of the day-to-day “ministering” that goes on in the Church takes place at the local, i.e., ward and/or stake level. That is, neither bishops, stake presidents, relief society presidents, elders quorum presidents, nor any other leader or auxiliary worker at the ward/stake level receives any kind of pay for the temporary, volunteer service they render. They likewise do not receive any kind of scholastic training to prepare them for their service. A bishop usually serves for a period of 5 years, for example, but he remains in his normal occupation (accountant, welder, business owner, etc.) while he serves as a bishop. Early morning or release-time seminary teachers are an exception, but they are considered employees of CES (Church Education System).<br> | ||
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| − | Mission Leadership< | + | <b>Mission Leadership</b><br> |
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Mission presidents usually serve for a period of 3 years, and may sometimes receive a living allowance during their period of service, if it is required. Many mission presidents are financially able to take time out of work to support themselves during their service (and return to their vocations when their service is complete), and do not require a living allowance.<br> | Mission presidents usually serve for a period of 3 years, and may sometimes receive a living allowance during their period of service, if it is required. Many mission presidents are financially able to take time out of work to support themselves during their service (and return to their vocations when their service is complete), and do not require a living allowance.<br> | ||
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<b>General Leadership</b><br> | <b>General Leadership</b><br> | ||
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Some positions in the Church, namely a call to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles or the First Quorum of the Seventy, are “for life” positions, meaning that the man chosen to fill the position serves until the end of his life. In such cases, if required, they are also given a modest living allowance. According to President Gordon B. Hinckley, “the living allowances given the General Authorities, which are very modest in comparison with executive compensation in industry and the professions, come from this business income and not from the tithing of the people (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Questions and Answers,” <i>Ensign</i>, Nov 1985, 49). | Some positions in the Church, namely a call to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles or the First Quorum of the Seventy, are “for life” positions, meaning that the man chosen to fill the position serves until the end of his life. In such cases, if required, they are also given a modest living allowance. According to President Gordon B. Hinckley, “the living allowances given the General Authorities, which are very modest in comparison with executive compensation in industry and the professions, come from this business income and not from the tithing of the people (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Questions and Answers,” <i>Ensign</i>, Nov 1985, 49). | ||
Revision as of 17:51, 28 April 2008
This article is a draft. FairMormon editors are currently editing it. We welcome your suggestions on improving the content.
Contents
Criticism
Mormons are hypocritical for claiming that having "no paid ministry" is one proof of the Church's truthfulness, because some general authorities, mission presidents, and others receive salaries for their service.
Source(s) of the criticism
Bill McKeever, "Mormonism's Paid Ministry," http://www.mrm.org/topics/rebuttals-rejoinders/mormonisms-paid-ministry (accessed April 28, 2008).
Sandra Tanner, "Do Mormon Leaders Receive Financial Support?" http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/paidclergy.htm (accessed April 28, 2008).
Response
While it is true that some Church leaders receive a living allowance while they serve in a given position, it cannot be said that the Church has a paid ministry in the traditional sense.
Local Leadership (Ward and Stake)
Much of the day-to-day “ministering” that goes on in the Church takes place at the local, i.e., ward and/or stake level. That is, neither bishops, stake presidents, relief society presidents, elders quorum presidents, nor any other leader or auxiliary worker at the ward/stake level receives any kind of pay for the temporary, volunteer service they render. They likewise do not receive any kind of scholastic training to prepare them for their service. A bishop usually serves for a period of 5 years, for example, but he remains in his normal occupation (accountant, welder, business owner, etc.) while he serves as a bishop. Early morning or release-time seminary teachers are an exception, but they are considered employees of CES (Church Education System).
Mission Leadership
Mission presidents usually serve for a period of 3 years, and may sometimes receive a living allowance during their period of service, if it is required. Many mission presidents are financially able to take time out of work to support themselves during their service (and return to their vocations when their service is complete), and do not require a living allowance.
General Leadership
Some positions in the Church, namely a call to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles or the First Quorum of the Seventy, are “for life” positions, meaning that the man chosen to fill the position serves until the end of his life. In such cases, if required, they are also given a modest living allowance. According to President Gordon B. Hinckley, “the living allowances given the General Authorities, which are very modest in comparison with executive compensation in industry and the professions, come from this business income and not from the tithing of the people (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Questions and Answers,” Ensign, Nov 1985, 49).
More to come...
Conclusion
Endnotes
None
Further reading
FAIR wiki articles
FAIR web site
- FAIR Topical Guide: