16-12-2017 Pastors and Their Families

QUESTION

My question is about the different pastors and their families serving at the different Immanuel congregations.

Some live in much more luxury and comfort than others. Is this a reflection of their relative income? Or is everyone earning more-or-less the same, but choosing to spend it in different ways?

I know that I’m probably hiding behind the anonymity of posting onto this website, in an effort to conceal my own hypocrisy in this matter… But I would love for our pastors to be more open about their finances and how it is decided how money is shared amongst themselves. This may very well be one of the most important issues of our time, were our spiritual leaders can lead by example; and show us the way of equality and justice. Otherwise it may just seem to many that “If even the church leaders can’t do something about this in their own personal capacity, then how can we? What hope is their for us?”

RESPONSE

Thank you so very much for a very sincere and yet involved question. I must
apologize on behalf of the elders, that it took us so long to reply, it was just
that awkward time of the year around Christmas and the start of the new year
etc.

Your question tackles a critical and very important factor in South Africa,
obviously due to the horror policy of Apartheid, which left millions
disadvantaged. While we are making efforts to address this as the church, we
would love to be further down the road in this regard, but nonetheless, our
aim is for a greater sense of justice to be realized.

Firstly let me begin by asking that we actually get to sit down and personally
talk through the depth of your question. There are many factors involved
around your questions and on an internet based forum, such a question is
better answered by way of dialogue rather than as a written statement.

Essentially it seems your question is around equality and justice, with regards
to financial remuneration for the different pastors of the different Immanuel
congregations; and whether the leaders are modeling the best way of dealing
with the glaring inequalities that so plague our beautiful nation South Africa.

While we can speak more freely and deeply person to person, for the web
based answer, I would like to address the following aspects which need to be
taken into account. None of this excuses us from taking forward strides, and
gaining even more ground wrt JUSTICE, but understanding is vital here:
1. History : Each Pastor joined Immanuel at a different time ( calendar date) ,
and season in their lives. At the time of being employed at Immanuel, each
had their own different “worldly goods” based upon their own historical
circumstances. Two of our Pastors came from a foreign land and started
again from scratch in SA, been given a hope of a future by being employed at
Immanuel. Some pastors already owned their own houses and cars etc. All of
this has a bearing on what you see, by observation.
2. The Congregational Model at Immanuel is that each church congregation
aims at being financially self sustaining. However, because of the
geographical positioning of each congregation, their relative incomes from
freewill offerings and regular monthly giving varies massively. Somerset Park,
actually supports each congregation, and in particular each pastor, in various
ways. The original agreement with these pastors is that each congregation is
to become financially able to stand on it’s own feet as soon as possible.This
is a long hard journey that we are on, because of the history of our nation and
footprint of the particular congregation. We at SP, do what we can to help
sustain each ministry and the pastors’ well-being, and by God’s grace all have
been sustained thus far. The very heart of Immanuel to be multi
congregational, puts increasing financial strain on the original church (SP)
unless it successfully encourages the financial autonomy of the
congregations.
3. Any assumption that all the Immanuel pastors are employed by SP is not
true, as each is employed at their particular congregation. Pastors can have
other forms of income (other jobs) to help sustain their lifestyles, as long as it
is feasible in their congregational situation and pastoral duties allow such.
The reality is that, in our present economy, just as it is for many businesses,
the church incomes (from tithes and offerings) have not kept pace with the
income needs of those employed by the church and so many are having to
find their own income streams to supplement their salaries. In this economic
environment, it is increasingly difficult to address the income “gaps” of lower
earning pastors and pastors are having to find ways to supplement their own
income.
None of the above is an excuse to maintain the status quo. To help combat
this, we actively apply practical financial measures to bring that balance but it
does take time to reach maturity however. If you would like to know more
about these remedies we are more than happy to discuss these in person.
My final comments are that we as fellow Christians walking this earth
continue to push ourselves to help the poorer among us and move towards
greater levels of justice and equity. May God lead us all to be more generous
and caring, so that those who have much do not have too much, while those
who have little, will not have too little! ( 2 Corin 8 : 13-15)
Perhaps the words in a song by Brooke Fraser, “I have seen, therefore I am
responsible…” – are a constant challenge to us all!
Lastly, I reiterate that I would so love to have a conversation with you around
your questions, as I believe in dialogue we learn more, resulting in greater
change for the good of all.