Preachers: Time Management #2
As mentioned in the first article (click here for the first article),
“There are only 24 hours in a day even though we might wish there were more. If for some magical reason we were granted an extra two hours each day, we would still fill them with stuff and not use them to take a moment to relax and recharge. Time is precious and we should treat is as such.”
Managing time is a definite for preachers. Preachers can work in the ministry 24 hours in a day because there is always a stand to take against sin. While sin never stops, nor does it care about time, so as preachers we must use the time provided to proclaim the gospel.
Office Hours:
If your congregation requires you to keep office hours, make it known to the congregation. In managing your time with a congregation, it is vital to make known your office hours. When the congregation sees you will be in your office, the lines of communication might be opened.
Be aware that having office hours might be an issue when members stop by just to chat and they take up the majority of your time. I encourage congregation, if they decide to set office hours to do so in the morning, such as 8am – 12pm. This give the preacher some alone time in the afternoon.
Member Visitation:
A requirement of many congregations is member visitation. It can be a benefit to preaching and it can be a time hoarder. The benefit of member visitation is getting to know the people with whom you will speak to each week. It becomes a time hoarder because one visit can last several hours; with the daily requirements of ministry, time is valuable.
My suggestion is the schedule certain days for visitation; lump visits together and make appointments with possible.
Various Visitation:
Part of the position of a preacher might be visiting those on the contact/evangelism list or those who have visited the congregation. During this process, it might be “hit or miss” as you try to find people at home. I have found leaving a postcard with a personal note to those that are not home has a positive influence on those you missed.
As with member visitation, I suggest taking a day of the week to schedule some visits, instead of using a short period of time in the afternoon.
These are just a couple thoughts to consider when planning your time as a preacher of the gospel of Christ. The most important factor is remembering your purpose as a minister.
Just some quick thoughts,
Random Thoughts on Preaching
The thoughts below are totally randomness, some are definitely more worthy than others, but you may use them all. These are my personal thoughts and a reflection of my own experiences, work ethic, support and criticism.
Some of these random thoughts will be expanded during the month as various articles
Random Thoughts on Preaching:
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Preaching is not about the messenger, but the message.
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Preaching the gospel is planting the seed.
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Preaching the gospel is in the power of the text, not the power of the messenger.
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Preaching the gospel does not take place only on Sunday.
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Preaching means different things to different people, be yourself and maintain your ministry.
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The greatest review of Sunday’s sermon usually takes place on the car ride home or the dinner table.
Random Thoughts on Preachers:
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Preachers need a hobby outside of ministry to relieve some daily stress.
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Preachers need to take care of their physical health as well as their spiritual health.
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Preachers should not neglect their family over “their ministry.”
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Preachers should take one day off during the week to clear their heads.
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Preachers should not be held to the same standard as the previous preacher.
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Preachers need friends; too many preachers are isolated.
Just some random thoughts,
Preachers: Salary, Finances and Benefits #3
Since beginning this series I have received many emails asking me to discuss the housing arrangements of preachers; mainly the idea of a parsonage. Personally, I have found a parsonage to be a hindrance to a minister, but I understand the thought of a congregation providing a residence to a preacher.
Parsonages are houses provide to preachers and their families as a part of their “pay package.” To some congregations this has been a benefit because the amount the pay the preacher does not have to be such that he will have to provide his own housing. On the other hand, it is interesting to know that a minister who receives a parsonage has to add the parsonage into his taxes as a a fair rental value amount. In turn, the preachers is paying Self-Employment taxes on something he does not own. (See IRS Tax Topic 417)
While providing a parsonage to a preacher might help offset a greater salary expense, be mindful that doing so does not allow the preacher to build equity. As a result of some parsonages, many preachers move to a new area to begin working with a church without a parsonage and find they have no equity and as a result they are left to rent or purchase a home without any funds. I have known of ministers who preached at congregations for 15+ years who retired without any home to go to or any equity to fund a new home.
(A Preacher’s Wish: I wish that congregations, who provide a parsonage, would set aside at least $200 a month in a separate account and provide that to the minister when he leaves so he at least has some funds to make a down payment on a home.)
In some areas, a parsonage is a good housing arrangement because the area could be a high priced area and the pay (support) would not allow him to purchase a home in the community. In such a case, a preacher might live 20 to 30 minutes away from the community where he is a preacher.
Living is a parsonage is also differently than living in your own home. Most congregations say, “Treat it as your own.” but preachers and their families know this is not the case. It is hard to live in someone’s home and try to treat it as your own when it is not yours. Some congregations also have limits on how a parsonage can be decorated and used. For instance, my family and I lived in a parsonage where the leaders of the congregation asked us not to paint. The walls were bare white and we wanted to use our own money to paint but were denied. The thought of “treat it as your own” went out the window. I have heard of preachers who were asked not to put many pictures up because the congregation did not want holes in the wall. It is hard to treat a home as your own, when various restrictions are present.
Things a Congregation Should Remember Regarding Parsonages:
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The fair-rental value of the parsonage should be added onto the self-employment taxes. This raises the amount the preachers pays in taxes.
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Living in a parsonage does not build equity for the minister. When the minister leaves, he does not take the house or the equity with him.
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Do not use a parsonage as an opportunity to pay a preacher less than what you normally would.
Just my thoughts,
Personal notes:
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I am not a tax professional, so study the IRS guidelines regarding a parsonage and consult a tax professional.
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My family and I have worked with congregations who have provided parsonages and we have had good and bad experiences.
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We currently own our home.
31 Days of Writing about Preaching and Preachers
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
(Romans 10:14-15)
Every post this month, May 2012, will discuss as aspect of the life of a preacher. Every minister knows the lifestyle of a preacher of the gospel is different than the majority of other careers throughout the world. However, there are many similarities to other careers as well. Throughout this month it is my aim to write about things concerning a minister’s career many do not know and most will never experience.
It is difficult to write about a minister’s career because not only am I a minister, but I do not want to come off in a whining, angry, depressing fashion. I enjoy the career path I have chosen, I would do some things in the past differently, but I still enjoy the journey I am on.
As I write I would also ask for your prayers and patience. I am writing many of these through my own experience and the wisdom I have gained from others. I encourage you to join in the discussion using the comments below.
Thanks.
Here are a few past posts on preaching and ministry to start the month:
Just some thoughts,
The Separating Factor
“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17.14; ESV)
The word is the separating factor. As Jesus gave the apostles the word which would separate them, we have been given the word of God which separates us.
The effects of the truth makes us a peculiar people (1 Peter 2.9; KJV) or as the English Standard Version translates it, “a people for his own possession.” The peculiar life of a Christian is not peculiar to the Christian but peculiar to the world. Christians are living “in” the world but not “of” the world. They are products of the living Christ, not a dying world.
What separates you from the world?
Just some thoughts,
What Preachers Will Not Tell You About Taxes
Most preachers will not tell you they dread taxes. By “dread” I mean for many it makes their stomachs turn and their lives put on hold for a few short days near April 15th. The reason most preachers will not speak of such is due to the fact that we understand our money was given to us by God and to complain about it might be viewed as negative to the congregation. We all know when a preacher complains about money either his priorities are off or he is going to ask for more money. (Really?)
The thought of tax time is a relief for many because they get a refund. A refund is nothing more than an overpayment to the government throughout the year – meaning it is not a bonus from the government, it is because you paid them too much.
Most preachers I know, if not all of them, end of paying when their tax time comes; some will pay a large amount and others will pay a small amount. It has been on rare occasions a preacher will receive a refund, but normally when this happens they live in a paranoid state of mind because they might have made a miscalculation on their taxes and an audit may be coming.
Social Security is the downfall to the tax situation of many preachers. Many people, much less members, do not understand that a minister pays into Social Security (unless he has signed out of it). Most people have a job where they never see the taxes, Medicare, or Social Security taken out of their paycheck. Yes, it is listed there, but many people hardly ever notice. The large percentage of ministers get one check and they have to pay everything out of it.
For example, on the church budget it might list that preacher making $60,000 a year. To some, they will complain that is too much, but notice what a breakdown might look like:
Total Salary – $60,000
Minus Taxes and Social Security – $8,000 (15%)
Minus Health Insurance – $8,500
Beginning take home pay – $43,500
The take home pay does not include life insurance, retirement and other perks another job might enjoy. Many do not see the perks they enjoy at another job because it is already taken out before it can been seen. Ministers are paying taxes and social security on a quarterly basis out of their own pocket. $8,000 a year amounts to $666 a month. (interesting number, huh?)
Personal Note:
While this article might seem like I am griping and complaining, I am not. I find it vital to a congregation to understand who they are supporting and the situation the minister might be in financially. Remember, congregations should be supporting a minister to preach the gospel wherever he can, not just paid so he can preach on Sunday.
I am blessed to be supported by a congregation who supports me well as a minister of the gospel. I appreciate them and their commitment to supporting the preaching of the gospel.
Ministers get nervous around tax time, because without proper budgeting work, a huge payment might be due the IRS. It takes budgeting for the amount the entire year to avoid the “hit to the wallet.” Some ministers are not able to budget through the whole year, whether by lack of funds, bad budgeting or they end up putting their tax payment on a credit card only to rack up interest.
As ministers, we need to budget for the end of the tax year payment. For congregations, be sure to at least try and understand the ministers support situation.
I did our taxes last night and we have to pay, but we are blessed to have the funds and have budgeted our best through out the year so our check will not be as big as in previous years.
Just my thoughts,
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