Do executives of large charitable organizations make too much pay?
The most recent publication of "World" magazine listed the personal compensation of top officials for charities (highest 48). The article attached to the list seemed to make an opinion that these people do make too much money. They pointed out (strongly) the amount that Billy Graham III is paid by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritans Purse (two seperate organizations). Combined, he made 1.2 million dollars last year. In his defense Mr Graham noted that some numbers were carried over from the previous year, making the total to be more than normal. However, due to questioning coming from several directions, he has decided that he will no longer receive any compensation from the BGEA, leaving only the income from SP (almost 1/2 mil). This list of top 48 also included two other execs from those two charities. Other chariities on the list were the YMCA with a total combined compensation of execs to be $800,000; Trinity Broadcasting Network $800,000; and Christian Broadcasting Network $650,000. These are just a few of the several charities listed.
Again, the question is: Do these people make too much money?. And: Do we want to contibute to these charities when their execs make that kind of money. And: How much more could their charity do if the execs' pay was less and the difference was used for the charity itself? How many shoe boxes could be filled for Samaitan's Purse with Mr Graham's pay? And: If their position is a calling from God, did God plan for them to be rolling in the dough?
On the other hand though, if a pastor of a small local church makes 35,000 to 50,000 in total compansation, or if a pastor of a large church makes 75,000, is the pay for an exec of a large organization comparible. Think of all the things a pastor does, and then think of what one of these execs must have to do in their positions. Maybe their "job" duties justify their large compensation. Maybe 1.2 million dollars a year makes sense when you consider what Billy Graham III is doing through these two charities.
Either way, this makes a person stop and think when a charitable contribution is requested.
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Having been on both sides of the "secular/sacred" dichotomic "fence" in terms of compensation, I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, from my experience, MOST pastors & religious workers I've come in contact with are being paid WAY TOO little. And there are still those "hard-liners" who think it's awful that a pastor/minister/priest have normal or even better than normal salary, home, car, clothes, retirement package, etc. (Thankfully, I've seen a great trend in most churches in throwing out the parsonage idea & allowing their pastor to have his/her own home, & the equity that goes with it if/when the pastor moves on.) But on the other hand, I've seen some people in "ministry" who are doing just fine. And I get a little sick of hearing some of such people complain about how poorly those in Christian ministry are paid.
ReplyDeleteI made the most money I've ever made at my last pastorate (Michigan) -- with my insurance benefits, professional expense amount, & salary, the total was probably $7,500 more/yr. than I'm making now working a "secular" job at the Univ. of IL. So we were doing okay -- could even SAVE a little! There were 3 of us on staff, & I don't know exactly what the other 2 guys made, but I assume the senior pastor made more, & the other guy made something comparable to me. I wouldn't say we were rich, but I do think some of the complaints about our salary packages from some of the members of the congregation were legitimate.
This is a tough one. I will just say this: hopefully --& you and I will never know for sure -- these "higher-ups" are being generous with their money & how they choose to give to other charities, their churches, those in need, etc.
Jesus said that the person who is faithful with little could be entrusted with much. So to me, the more appropriate question is ... not how much money does so & so make? ... but rather ... is he/she faithful with what he/she is given?
And when it all comes down to it, a lot of that is NOT for you & me to know!
Good food for thought, Jack!