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Can you live on a youth pastor's salary?
Is it possible for someone who is married with three to be a youth pastor? Should I expect a church to pay enough for my wife to stay home with our young children and not have to work? Is it expected that youth pastors will live in two income homes?
I wonder if some guys aren't "using" youth ministry as a stepping stone to being a Sr. Pastor. I wonder if they just start a family and can't afford it anymore? Is that right? I finally feel like I am really getting good at this, and now I feel like I need to move on so I can support my family.
Any thoughts?
- 7 Answers
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- Dave
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- 2 years ago
Answers
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There's some great insight here. One other thing to add: are you licensed or ordained? Because performing weddings can be a decent side income. Obviously you don't want to be carefree about that, but it's something to consider. |
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[4 kids, 12 years in youth ministry, 1 income] It definitely can be done. Share the struggle with your church leadership. If they can't solve the problem with a raise, maybe they can help you with some spending alternatives. Maybe another area church could kick in to some kind of combined ministry. There are a lot of variables in this discussion, but if God wants you in youth ministry don't leave it. I don't mean to imply this is easy, or that you're doing something wrong... just want to offer hope for your situation. I've been there. Still struggle with knowing I could be providing much more financially for my family. But there would be a cost to that, too... |
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I definitely feel your pain. My wife and I are have begun to have this discussion recently. With two kids, we are realizing that even with a good budget, we are barely making ends meet. At this point it is actually costing us money to work here at the end of the year. I really enjoy the work, but I also have to be realistic too. It is difficult to balance trusting God to provide with using common sense that it might be time to look elsewhere. I also don't blame the church as I knew what I was signing up for as far as salary and benefits go. My advice is to be honest about what you need vs. want and then do some research to see if it would be reasonable for your church to pay you what you think will work. I would also point out that large raises in churches are really rare. Also, because budgets are planned far ahead, often raises can't really take effect quickly. |
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Yes you can. But it is difficult. We have used crown financial ministries stuff for the last 12 years. We also follow Dave Ramsey's plan and because we lived on a budget for the last 12 years and worked hard, we are now debt free. That single thing changes how far your money will go. Link Details: 2 years ago
Clarification to your question. I think a church should pay Fair Market Value for their youth pastors.... your church demographics and historical income are big factors...If you feel like you need a raise, then talk to your Sr. Pastor and make your case...in buisness you are only as valuable as you make yourself. Christian'ese' aside sometimes the most humble thing to do is ask for a raise. Taking care of and providing for your family is a Biblical mandate we & the church should take seriously. |
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I am married with one, and we could never live on my salary alone (less than $30,000, full-time). My wife works also, and although we make it, there is little left for an emergency or large purchase, such as replacing 20 year old worn out furniture. I am seriously considering attending the local community college to learn a skill to a) supplement my ministry income, or b) replace it altogether. And, I've been a senior pastor - being a youth pastor now isn't a stepping stone at all. community college is a great skill builder...I think if you are always learning new skills, you can make yourself more marketable and minister to more people....I'm all for supplementary forms of income, that is unless your church leadership is ok with that and understand why you need supplemental income...sometimes they don't know that we need more, cause we're too afraid to ask for more and look greedy. Don't be afraid to ask for more if you feel you are worth more. |
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I've been in youth ministry for over 20 years. We have 5 kids, ages 11, 8, 7, 2, and 3 month. We homeschool too, so my wife is a stay at home mom. I have no desire to leave youth ministry. I'll stay in it as long as I am able to. Like the comment before me said, stick to a budget. Dave Ramsey is good, but I like Crown Financial's Money Map even better. Don't leave youth ministry for better pay, unless God is calling you. Trust him to provide all your needs. He will. |
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we have 3 kids, no big deal. actually, we're about to start the lengthy adoption process as well and we're still not sold that we're done having kids either. just make a budget, stick with it, and don't go into debt. if you need help with budgets and things I'd strongly recommend Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace or Total Money Makeover |
