Everyone’s talking about Michael Boyink’s post about how church webmasters should stop working for free, for good reason. Effective Web Ministry Notes tipped us off, and Heal Your Church Web Site adds to the discussion. The comments are rolling in on Boyink’s site, so I’d encourage you to check those out.
The basic idea is that churches who don’t pay…
Volunteer Church Webmasters Should Quit
Simon
April 29, 2009
If your church leader is willing to forego his salary then I am willing to forgo the payment for the work I do for the church. If no one gets paid fine, but as soon as you start paying one you need to value everyone’s work.
There is no such thing a spiritual and secular. Personally, I believe that there is too much spiritual manipulation that goes on. Things like, “you’re my brother won’t you do it for free?”, or “this is for the Lord”, expecting me to do it for free. I’m a tent-making designer and believe that the Bible clearly teaches that God is no man’s debtor and that the worker is worthy of his higher. This means that anyone providing a service for the church should be treated fairly, and payment should be offered at an honest rate. If the person chooses not to accept it then fine, but they should not be manipulated to be made to feel guilty.
Interestingly, no one has ever said that the church leader should work for free as it’s, “unto the Lord”!.
susan
March 30, 2011
This whole topic is about the dumbest thing I have ever heard!! Sunday School teachers do not ge paid. Ushers and Greeters do not get paid. So cause you are high tech you arrogantly think you are SPECIAL and what you do is above what everone else does? Do you pay for the toilet paper you use when you go there? The Bibe say’s if you want to be great in His kingdom learn to be the servant of all… do we pop a quarter to the guy who opens the door for your wife? tip the person who wiped your babies bottom? It’s the least we can do is use our gifts for the body..whatever that gift is,as the word teaches! If you do not want to do it.. and you feel talked into it.. that’s your fault.. don’t do it then.. say no. Obligation is not a good reason to serve. Appreciation for our own salvation is. But don’t go around telling people what they should or should not do in service to the kingdom and the Lord. Whoever supports this entire theory is bitter and needs to re evaluate why they serve, who they are in Christ..ditch religion and get a real relationship with a God that you find a PRIVILEGE to serve… Cause He gav his ALL for each of us!!! I serve in many areas.. I have all my life.. and when I don’t have time or whatever.. I say no. simple as that! Someone may throw away you web work but if it was done unto the Lord, your reward is in heaven… I would rather have that than a twenty slapped in my hand!!! We are not hirlings…we are servants!
Tammy
August 9, 2011
I approach my “job” as church webmaster as a ministry. I am paid, because the church leaders do recognize the importance of the website. They want to move our church into the 21st century. I don’t get paid a lot. I am paid for two hours of work a week, but what they don’t know is that I “work” a lot more than that, doing research and teaching myself how to create a good website. I do see myself as a marketer for our church as well. I can’t contribute financially to my church as I would like, I do so with my time.
Niagara Region Church Web-padawan
December 8, 2011
My wife and I have had several discussions about this, and she’s been opening my eyes to the importance of paying people who serve the church. Paul the apostle quotes the Mosaic law by saying, “‘Don’t muzzle an ox while it treads the grain’ and ‘A worker is worthy of his pay’” (1 Tim 5:18). How much is someone’s work worth? Some volunteering is to show up for an hour and do something. I’ve seen the ladies in our church put in hours and hours of shopping, prepping, cutting, serving and cleaning time. Isn’t their time worth something? How about volunteer Sunday school teachers? I know it is dificult for smaller churches to be able to pay everyone adequately, but even something helps. I’m beginning to believe that if churches invest in these different areas by paying key people, they will get a return on their investment.
As far as our church website goes, I just stepped into the role as a volunteer. I’m just learning to do websites. I’m thankful for having the opportunity to have a website on the internet! For me to charge my church to me is like charging a professor for the homework I hand in. Hopefully I can get to the point of putting this to work and getting clients.
Until then, if you have any comments or advice on our site, let me know. Or if you having to be in St. Catharines, or even the Niagara Region, stop by our church. Our info is at http://www.bethelstcatharines.com.