Actually there are several subjects that preachers are not supposed to talk about, but I’d like to mention one. Briefly. Actually I’d rather not mention it, so I’ll quote somebody else. It’s the issue of “expenses,” aka “petrol money” in some churches, aka “speaking fees,” aka “honoraria.” It’s right that we hesitate to mention this issue since money should not be the motivation of a preacher, but at the same time very few are in a position to totally ignore the issue of finances.
I was just enjoying Richard Bewes’ book Speaking in Public Effectively. In his last chapter he focuses on the travelling speaker. He addresses the unique challenges of travelling to speak, the things you learn to pack, the flexibility that’s needed, the fact that some apparently petty and trivial things can become profoundly significant in the dead of night in an obscure place. Finally, the preaching is done and it’s time to get going on your return journey,
Someone comes up to you wearing specs, and holding a pen and pad. “Could you tell me if you had any expenses?”
In general it’s right to put in a claim, if for no other reason than that the organizers ought to know what the actual costs of their meeting came to. They make an annual budget. They need to know, and so do their successors.
Accept whatever you are given. At times I have been paid with book tokens. You wonder, as you drive away, what the reaction would be at the petrol station, if you leant out of the car window and chirped, “Do you take book tokens here?” But it is all part of the fascinating experience of service, and we learn to take the rough and the smooth together, with equanimity, “not greedy for money, but eager to serve” (1Peter 5:2)
This attitude should govern us all, including those who depend on their speaking for a living. Speakers who become money-conscious should either reform their priorities or leave off speaking. The people who ought to be giving attention to the question of expenses, fees and salaries are the organizing elders. They are the leaders responsible for these matters, and they should, if possible, have business people among them. It is not the concern of the speakers. Never.
I wonder what difference including business people in the discussions of speakers “expenses” might make? Anyway, enough of me quoting someone else, any comments on this issue (feel free to comment “anonymously” on this issue!)
Biblical Preaching 
This is definitely something that I’ve struggled with, even with regular supporters (their own commitment, not a formal commitment). When it was late one month… “have they stopped supporting me now?” I think the words of 1 Peter came quickly rushing back, quite humbly. Our service is not one that seeks material/financial gain. We are gifted/called/empowered with the ministry of preaching and to neglect our task in the face of going into the red, I think, takes the carpet from under our feet.
Personally, within the Asian circles, it is extremely difficult to ask for finances; it is very much a faith endeavor. I believe the preaching ministry is no different. I don’t fail to realize that we all have financial needs, but there is something supernatural about going out each day in faith.
I’ve encouraged (possibly without much effect) students at Christian Unions to have a generous heart and value preaching highly and have this formula in mind…
Expenses + Payment for time + Gift =
in thinking about money for speakers. Often they’ll use local church leaders and members who incur no expenses and whose time is probably supplied freely by the church, so just a gift would be a generous gesture. Others have distance to travel and it’s a bit off to leave someone out of pocket for serving you… others still don’t actually have an income (or are sufficiently drawn away from the ministry they are funded to do by serving) so it’s fair to at least cover them for the day… to compensate their church or ministry or so that they can eat.
Wow what a topic. I traveled extensively for about 4 years ministering in churches. It was a learning experience in many ways, especially in how churches compensate their speakers. The sad truth is that many churches are still paying on a scale that was common in the 1960’s. The mentality of some is that the preacher is only speaking for 1 hour so the pay is go if you look at it hourly. They don’t take into consideration the day or two of travel and the hours of preparation and the value they are adding to the congregation. A church should prepare ahead of time before any speaker comes with the finances available to compensate accordingly. I have known many gifted ministers get off the traveling circuit because of the inability to meet growing financial needs.
On the other hand, the minister is to trust God as their source for finances. I preached at churches and lost money and then went to the next meeting and was doubly blessed. God always has a way of making up. And sometimes I believe God uses finances to “test” our hearts at times.
It breaks my heart to see ministers enter retirement and their wives have to work as a cashier at Walmart because of financial assistance.
Dear Peter,
I am grateful that you brought out this sensitive issue.
I am involved in a planning committee of a youth organisation in a developing country. From time to time, we have engaged overseas speakers and we have encountered few demanding speakers. It was unpleasant and simply hurt us. From our part, I could say we are quite generous to speakers especially those overseas ones.
Perhaps these speakers had experienced “book tokens” in their preaching engagements or being taken advantage of by churches, but to me, the grand idea of service must be “I am just a voice in the wilderness”.
But we also encountered some speakers who have excellent spirit that have blessed our nation in such marvellous ways!
I believe this issue must be addressed!
There is two sides to this. From the preachers side it is right to not be overtly concerned about finances when preaching, and to trust God, and to be content with whatever. From the churchs side there should be consideration of the amount of time and sacrifice that has gone into the preparing of the preacher and the message. Some preachers have spent thousands of dollars on getting training in order to be beter able to handle the Scriptures, and sacrificed other career option to do that study, and have many years of experience in effective ministry. If it was a lawyer, or surgeon, or other professional, they would expect to pay significant sums for the services of the individual. But a preacher is supposed to be happy with a $50 bill. I suppose if that is all they can give then that is one thing, but I wonder when my own church can spend so much on the maintainance of the building but so little when a visiting speaker is used. what a blessing it would be to a speaker to receive $2000 for a sermon! (I wouldn’t want to give this to a preacher who expects that kind of money though) This would still be low in comparison to a similarly trained person in another profession. Maybe every church should commit to blessing a preacher over and beyond their expctations each year.
The issue is a difficult one, hence the title of the entry, with arguments being made for most perspectives. Just to add a few more thoughts from my original comment…
Biblically speaking, the principle is taken from Jesus’ sending of the 72 missionary-disciples in Luke 10 (see vv. 4-12) which Paul quotes in 1 Tim. 5:18. “…for the worker deserves his wages.” What I find interesting is Jesus’ instruction in vv. 4, 10-11..
Firstly, Jesus gives the instruction that they are not to take any provisions for the mission nor greet them. My application is two-fold: 1) as it was commented before, we trust in God to provide for our needs (through whatever means), and 2) we are to focus on the task at hand (“do not greet anyone on the road” and his attitude in v. 11)
Secondly, in the case one is not treated as one “should” be treated as a God’s employee, though one may not show favor (in the earlier account, in the sending of the 12 disciples: “shake the dust off your feet … as a testimony against them.” Lk. 9:5) one is still not to neglect the task of preaching (“The kingdom of God is near.” v. 11)
In regards to the human cost of ministry, am I so naive to remember that we are to count the cost of discipleship? In regards to the consideration of churches, is not the majority of the leadership influenced or directed by pastors themselves (and church budgets)?
May I be so bold to suggest that pastors need to sacrifice for others (in ministry) if we are to hold integrity in our “expectation” that we be treated likewise?
The emphasis has to be on those receiving ministry being lavishly gracious and sacrificial rather than those ministering requiring payment from those they’ve served. Would we go without food or something else to bless a preacher? Would we value and honour them that much…
As Peter has reminded us so clearly, we must take the call literally from the face of Christ, all else goes to the wayside… either we believe we will be compensated in doing the most sacred work ever committed to a man on this planet, or we will fall miserably short of His call on our life and have to deal with the consequences in eternity.
The culture of the modern day church and the distinct and unique challenges we face in building His church in our ever changing world,have forced many of us to think more like the apostle Paul then the apostle Peter.