The residence of pastors and the distribution of pastoral service have a clear relation to growth. The pastor is ordinarily responsible for the evangelistic success of the church. If a pastor is non-resident or has too large a territory to serve, his personal contribution is lessened. Of the churches having resident pastors, two-thirds made a net gain. Of those with non-resident pastors, only one-third gained.
Pastors’ Salaries.
The question of ministers’ salaries is important. Inadequate salaries have undoubtedly caused some of the restlessness among the ministry. Salaries vary as the minister is on full or on part time, as shown in the following table. The full-time one-church man commands a wage higher than the man with more churches, or the man with another occupation.
A PARSONAGE BUT NO CHURCH
The M. E. pastor shown here with his wife and baby has a house but no church building on his circuit. He preaches in three school houses.
| Full Time Minister with One Church | Part Time Minister with One Church | Full Time Minister with More Than One Church | Minister with Other Occupation and More Than One Church | |||||
| Maximum salary | $2,650 | $1,550 | $3,250 | $1,900 | ||||
| Minimum salary | 600 | 840 | 880 | 100 | ||||
| Average | 1,835 | 1,195 | 1,507 | 610 |
These average salary figures may be compared with the average salary of the Y. M. C. A. county secretaries for the entire United States which was $2,265 in 1920.
Training of Ministers