Let’s say that I get a bachelors in religion and a masters in divinity and pay for my schooling with student loans. How would I pay off my loans, finance a church, and support myself?
By: Support HR 1207
By: Support HR 1207
How does a clergyman finance a church and make a living?
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I don’t know. The church I was going to was small and the preacher had a regular full time job and preached. It would probably depend on how many offerings you get and fundraisers/special events you hold to get more donations.
That’s what the donations are for.
I imagine you would pass around the basket every sunday or saturday and if you attract a large enough audience you’d be able to make a pretty penny
Very few preachers start a church on their own. They spend some time learning the practical details while working in an established church.
As to how they make a living, did you imagine that what comes in by way of the Sunday collection plate is all they get? The larger donations come from people who are solicited personally, people who can donate thousands, perhaps even millions, in a single check. Those large donations are then invested in real estate and other assets, against which the church can borrow as necessary.
And those are just the relatively honest ones.
Start simple and keep a fulltime job. Start out with meetings in a home. Don’t spend money you don’t have, and don’t squeeze the congregation more than they can stand. If you are the right one for the job, your church will grow and opportunities for expanding will increase.
Personally, I think this is a terrific way for a new clergyman to start out. It separates the weenies and wannabees from the real man/woman of God.