Thirty-three
Having A Trade
“What are you going to do now that you have
resigned?” I asked.
“Landscape work, cutting grass, sprinkler
systems—the kind of stuff I did while I was in seminary.
I got more pleasure out of caring for the church grounds
than I did pastoring the church. I’m glad I’m prepared
for something anyhow.”
In a telephone company’s Yellow Pages of the First
Century AD Jesus would have been listed as a
building contractor. A tekton in the Greek (see Mark
6:3), is a designation that can mean carpenter or maybe
a stone mason or builder: Jesus worked with his hands.
Probably He acquired some skills under the tutelage
of an older and experienced tekton, Joseph. (see Mark
13:55)
Paul, skilled in the working of leather as were
Priscilla and Aquila, periodically used his craft to meet
his needs so that he would not be dependent upon
others. He would, though, receive gifts from various
churches and individuals from time to time but not as
a regular habit.
154
For Pastors
At various times I have found it necessary to be
able to make a living on my own without having to be
dependent upon a church. However, I believe it is
important for pastors to be dependent on those they
minister to for their livelihood. When Jesus sent the
disciples out two by two (see Luke 10) they were
instructed to take no money with them, and they were
to stay in the house in which they first entered. From
this an important principle may be derived: ministers,
pastors particularly, are to be reliant upon the churches
in which they minister. Certainly, the “worker deserves
his wages” (Luke 10:7)
Yet I think it is important for pastors to have the
capacity to support themselves and their families
outside of the church if need be. I have seen tragic
circumstances arise when this was not the case. When
pastors, usually with families, are dismissed, forced to
resign, or must preside over the closing of a church
and no immediate ministry is available, they may have
little or no financial resource. It can be a damaging
experience, especially for children. Years spent in Bible
college and seminary do not usually result in the
acquisition of marketable skills. In short, it is not always
easy for an ex-pastor to find a job.
If I were dismissed here, or be forced to quit, I
would want to be able to provide for my family. I am
not going to reveal details here, but I have a couple of
means by which I am able to do this. Having an
assurance that God will care for us, perhaps care for us
through a job skill, is consistent with scriptural
principles.
Having a way of making a living and supporting a
family will allow pastors stand their ground with some
strength and courage in the event of a crisis. A pastor
might stay in a desperate, even dangerous situation,
155
Having a Trade
due to a fear of not being able to survive. It is not that
a pastor develops an arrogant or independent attitude:
those attitudes do not become the servant of God. The
servant is submissive to the Head of the Church, and to
the church itself. The preacher submits to the ministry;
however, it does not mean submission to a person, a
group, or a church that would attempt to exercise
ungodly power. This circumstance does come up from
time to time. It has happened to me. It may happen
again.
The kinds of trades or job skills one might engage
in are many and varied. The construction trades,
building, painting, landscaping, plumbing, electrical,
masonry, and so forth, these are skills where jobs can
usually be found. And, of course, computer skills may
prove valuable. But whatever it might be, I suggest
that pastors have the ability to perform some labor or
service that would allow them to take care of
themselves and their families if necessary.
Do you have a trade or job skill that could see you
through a difficult time?
Are there steps you might take to acquire one?
Does my suggestion seem biblically sound or not?