The Cost of Business
Shortly before I was terminated, we were in a regional staff meeting and were told that the denomination was bleeding $200k a month. This would mean there would most likely need to be 10-12 FTEs cut from the budget. A couple months later, my politically-motivated termination occurred. One of my friends, who is skilled in the ways of the Church, explained it to me this way: “You gave them a freebie,” he said.
In other words, because I’m a challenger of the status quo, they felt no emotional attachment to me, saw me as a threat to the organization, and had no qualms about pulling the plug. The irony, of course, is that when things get tough, that is exactly when you want people who can see things differently and are passionate enough about the organization that they are willing to stand up to the establishment.
It isn’t hateful terrorism that motivates me. It is passion to do the right thing – as opposed to doing (the wrong) things right.
Well, since last Spring, things have continued to get worse. At a recent town hall meeting, the constituents were told that there would be approximately 25 additional FTEs cut. Also, a $1,000,000 grant would not be paid to a local university – and some other budget cutting options, which include a 5% employee pay cut for.
(NOTE: Because pastors have not seen a cost-of-living pay raise in a couple of years, and now have had their pay cut by 5%, in effect they are making about 15% less than they were a few years ago. However, the cost of living continued to increase during that same time. This means that someone making $50k a few years ago, is essentially only making $43k now.)
During the course of this town hall meeting, it was made clear that the $1million grant obligation would be honored when the economy turned around. This was probably due to the pressure put on the denomination by the president of the university, who upon receiving the news, immediately drove four hours to meet with the leadership and plead for that money.
One employee at the town hall meeting asked if the same salary obligations would be honored for employees? In other words, would employees be reimbursed for the pay cuts they’ve endured over the past few years – including the recent 5% cut? Though the president acknowledged the question, and though he didn’t actually answer the question, most were left with the impression that the answer was “no.”
Asked where the 25 FTEs would be cut, constituents were told that three or four would come from the approximately 50 administrative and support positions. Five or six would be teachers. The remaining 15 positions would be front-line pastoral positions.
If it’s true that “the resources are in the harvest (Matthew 17:27),” then one would wonder, “why cut front line personnel?”
Aren’t these pastors the very ones who will continue to grow the church?
Currently, 50-60% of operating budgets go to maintaining a parochial school system. Teacher staffing levels are state-mandated – at least if the schools want to keep their accreditation. Research has shown that there should be at least one FTE pastor for every 150 in attendance – and in order to grow the church, pastoral staff needs to be front-loaded and in place before the next 150 start attending. Without excess pastoral capacity, the church is unlikely to grow. Yet, in the past few years, most churches are not only not staffed for growth, they are understaffed for their current attendance levels.
I’m beginning to believe what George Barna, Frank Viola, Brian McLaren, and others have been saying for awhile. We are witnessing the dismantling of the church.
I don’t believe this is an overt action on anyone’s part. I don’t believe anyone has anything but the best of intentions. It is merely a lack of courageous leadership and a willingness to do whatever it takes to push forward and not retreat into a state of irrelevance, impotence, and ineptitude.
What do you think? Can the Church survive if we keep treating pastors like second-class employees (not only cutting their salaries and resources, but not taking their input when things get tough)? What would you do if someone asked?
I’m asking…