The National Association of Evangelicals has launched a $1 million campaign designed to help churches bless financially strapped pastors.
Funded by a three-year grant from the Lilly Endowment, the 45,000-church association launched the initiative to help congregations and church boards “show and share God’s love” for their pastors in different ways beyond the church budget. Data shows that about half of pastors in the U.S. make less than $50,000 per year while serving their churches over 50 hours per week.
Because of financial difficulties, many pastors are forced to work side jobs to help make ends meet for them and their families while some leave ministry altogether.
The Bless Your Pastor campaign will serve pastors and churches across America from all denominations and is part of a larger initiative funded by the Lilly Endowment to address the financial challenges of pastors.
Brian Kluth, national director of NAE Financial Health and spokesperson for Bless Your Pastor, said the effort “is about people in the church sharing their time, talents and treasures to creatively bless their pastors and church staff members. Some examples can be babysitting, doing car repairs, offering low or no-cost medical and dental care, sharing a vacation home, and providing gift cards to the pastor and family.”
Research also shows 90 percent of pastors nationwide are facing financial pressure that could result in their departing from ministry.