Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Growth of Unpaid Clergy

This article at the Religion News Service discusses a rise in the incidence of unpaid clergy in both mainline and evangelical congregations that have traditionally used paid clergy.  A obvious primary reason for having unpaid clergy is that it is less expensive, but the article mentions other pros as well as cons.  The unpaid clergy must often also have a paying, secular job.  Of course, other religious groups have traditionally used unpaid clergy, so this is not an innovation.  But it demonstrates how some religious groups are adapting in the face of financial pressures.