Professional Clergy Three-Card Monte

[_Willy Law]

There was a time that a bishop and SP actually did get a small stipend .

I seem to remember reading that bishops and stake president's originally received a percentage of the tithing from their ward and stake.

[_Wisdom Seeker]

I have a close personal relative who is a Pastor at an Evangelical church. Prior to him going into his ministry, he was a successful business owner and Mormon who gave much to the needy and poor. When confronted by his Bishop for not giving through the proper channel (Tithing) he investigated the claims of the church and left. He since became born again, attended college and became a Pastor. While many of his past investments keep him afloat, his ability to afford the luxury and travel he once enjoyed has been diminished. I really do not believe he is doing this to become rich but because he feels that everyone needs to become Christian and he does love what he is doing now, reading scripture five to seven hours every day.

I brought this up to my Bishop once and even his commnets were, that my close personal relative is probably doing it for the money. While I told him I did not believe this was the case, I am certain that the impression in his mind was: Anyone not doing this for free is a crook. I would guess that many who have been through the temple prior to some of the changes, look at Christian clergy as more interested in money than in helping people meet their spiritual needs.

[_harmony]

I would guess that many who have been through the temple prior to some of the changes, look at Christian clergy as more interested in money than in helping people meet their spiritual needs.

Which is why I said that every time Packer attends an endowment session, he compounds his lie.

[_malkie]

...

I think bishops and SPs ought to at least be reimbursed some for their out of pocket costs such as travel and phone costs or other such things.

There was a time that a bishop and SP actually did get a small stipend to cover such costs and there is even a travel reimbursement available from the stake but the amount is limited and really onerous to obtain (lots of paper work) so most people do not go after it...

When I was a counselor in a District Presidency I used to be reimbursed for travel to District meetings - I couldn't have afforded to do it otherwise.