Something every church should include in their pastor’s compensation package …

Many pastors are underpaid, not just for the specific kind of work they do, they flat aren’t paid enough!

In that context, should I really bring up something that churches should ADD to a pastor’s compensation package?

Yes, one reason being that so few churches even consider this need that personally cost pastors hundreds of dollars each year.

So what’s this line item every pastor should have in their compensation packages? A book allowance.

That’s right, a book allowance.

Books are a key tool your pastor uses to continue his education and to expand and deepen his knowledge. No, he didn’t learn everything he needed to know to preach, teach, or shepherd a church while in seminary. In fact, your pastor will likely be the first person to tell you he has much to learn, and a key way of learning what he doesn’t know and what he needs to know is by reading.

It’s not the only way, and it’s not the most important book he needs, but many pastors spend at least a few hundred dollars out of their own pockets every year buying and delving into books to help them learn.

Do you know what they do with what they learn?

They pass that knowledge on to you!

Let me suggest a minimum book allowance be set at $500, but $750-$1,000 would be more adequate for the need. That’s because pastors aren’t often reading a “cheap paperback”; some of the more “serious” books for their studies in theology, doctrine, history, etc., may cost $30, $40, or more per book.

It’s not uncommon to hear people talk about how school teachers, police officers, and others should not have to provide out of their own pockets the supplies and/or equipment needed for their jobs. Consider books to be a necessary piece of equipment for your pastor, then make sure there’s a line item for a book allowance in his compensation package.

Scotty