Philosophy of Money - Salaries

Lay members of First Church are in full partnership with staff and clergy in carrying out the ministries of the church, but it is full-time workers who enable us to carry out our lay ministry, who care for our buildings, manage our resources, and lead us in the sacraments. The cost of providing highly qualified staff is one of the largest items in the Mission and Ministry Plan.

In the New Testament, there came a time when the members disagreed among themselves about payment for those who were traveling around building up the church. The Bible is absolutely clear about this in its statement, “The workman is worthy of his wages.” (1 Timothy 5:18) Those who serve as clergy and staff are the daily eyes and hands of the Church and as such are worthy of support that enables them and their families to live in reasonable comfort, have the support of insurance and retirement benefits, and make donations of their own wealth to further their own faith without impoverishing their families. While Jesus was an itinerant preacher and lived in poverty, he did not hesitate to make use of the wealth of his followers, and in the scene with Mary who anointed him with expensive oil pointed out that there are appropriate times for generous gifts to the bringer of the message. (John 12:3)

Because of your generous gifts, First Church has been able to make a commitment to pay no less than the defined Austin area "living wage" to any staff member and to provide benefits for all full time staff. In keeping with the Discipline of the Methodist Church in areas of social justice, we can do no less. With your extravagant generosity, we can do much more.