RevWrites - August 9

I was reminded yesterday of an old prayer that church members would pray about their clergy:

“Lord, we’ll keep him poor and you keep him humble.”

I was involved in a discussion about minister’s housing. About 17 years ago the parish renovated our rectory. As a result, we now live in a very comfortable home. We are grateful.

Back then the Parish Council planned the renovations with very clear intentions. First, one of the ministers the parish was considering to invite to be the senior minister before I came had quite a few children. He wasn’t able to fit his family into the rectory as it was back then. So we decided to add enough bedrooms for large families which allowed the parish to invite any minister no matter how big his family.

Secondly, some minsters have elderly parents living with them. So we decided to add a part of the rectory that was semi self-contained. It also doubles as an office.

Thirdly, some minister’s wives are not able to do stairs. So we decided to have it all on one level.

Fourthly, because there are many visitors to rectories, we decided to ensure the family area was separate from the more public areas.

The result is we live in purpose-built home that enables effective ministry and comfortable family life. We really appreciate the Parish Council’s thoughtfulness.

The Parish Council also makes sure, as much as it is able, that we are free of financial concerns. Although ministers’ stipends are well below what ministers could make in the secular workplace, we enjoy many benefits. A house is one! But our Parish also not only pays for the upkeep of our home, it also pays for our utilities. While parishes are compelled to provide a house they don’t have to pay for utilities.

Our Parish Council does that because of what the Bible says:

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. (1 Tim. 5:17)

Double honour includes the idea of both respect and financial payment, as is obvious from the next verse.

Poverty never produces humility. It generates resentment, even in ministers of the gospel. It is always better when God's people do what the Bible says. It frees us all from many things. It enables us all to enjoy God's world and God's people.

So be glad and rejoice that our Parish does well in this area. We are generous to our ministers.

Pray that generosity will be a mark of every aspect of our lives as God's people. As we saw in Luke, God is kind to the just and the unjust. He is kind and generous to all. May generosity mark every aspect of our lives as we seek to have open hearts to all every one we encounter.

Neil