Is there equity in the church? When will we begin to look at a preacher's ability and character when making appointments to charges that can support young pastors and their families. Is it necessary to be related to a Bishop or Presiding elder before receiving an appoinment commensurate with experience and training?

-- Anonymous, September 29, 2001

Answers

Unfortunately, the primary concern of many presiding elders and bishops that appoint ministers to churches is the ministers' ability to pay the assessment. Also, unfortunately, the minister's ability to pay the assessment/make budget has absolutely nothing to do with training, credentials, experience, etc. When the ability to make budget comes second and the importance of "ministry", "empowerment" and "outreach" become the primary concern of the forward movement of the connectional church, then credentials and experience will be important. But right now, those things appear to be an afterthought.

-- Anonymous, September 29, 2001

The simple fact seems to be that in our zion it is not what yuou know but who you know. We do not have an incentive for young men of God to desire to be a part of our denomination. We want, need and deserve a young trained clergy to serve our members but we make that ever more dificult when we do not pay people for their services. As a denomination we have mandated that our ordained clergy attend seminary, which is a good thing, but we have failed to take into consideration that training cost money. To have a trained skilled clergy we must be able to support them. The church is the only place where we desire the best and the brightest to serve us but we want their services for free. We must as a denomination come to the realization that the best and brightest deserve the best. If we want a full time trained clergy we must begin to pay them as full time professionals. Does the man or woman of God after three years of professional education deserve less than what their peers in fields such as medicine and law earn. I think not. What they deserve is respect and to be paid as the professionals that they are.

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2001

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! Brother Alexander.

-- Anonymous, October 01, 2001

"The church is the only place where we desire the best and the brightest to serve us but we want their services for free." is such an excellent quote. I am going to have to use that. Amen to all of you!!!!

-- Anonymous, October 01, 2001