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Editorial
May 7, 1959
The Camas Hot Springs Exchange
Hot Springs, Camas, Sanders County, Montana
What is this article about?
Editorial by Howard E. Kershner advocates for better financial support for Christian ministers, highlighting their long hours, low pay, debts, and essential role in maintaining society's spiritual foundation.
Merged-components note: Image accompanies the editorial on support for ministers.
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IT'S UP TO YOU
By
Howard E. Kershner, LL.D.
THE average minister works about twice as many hours per week as the average member of his congregation. For these long hours he receives perhaps a little more than half as much as the median income of his parishioners. To prepare for his calling he needs more education than most of the members of the community in which he lives and, to do his job well, he certainly needs more books and magazines.
The minister must not only live on a small salary with the hardships that means to himself and his family, but he must supply sympathy, counsel, encouragement and spiritual energy for all those members of the community who require it.
Some polls have indicated that two-thirds of the ministers interviewed were in debt. Many are unable to provide proper medical care for themselves and their families. They must keep up their spiritual alertness and enthusiasm in competition with unpaid bills, inability to provide proper education for their children and oftentimes in the face of seeing their wives have to go outside the home to augment their meager salaries.
The service rendered by our ministers is as essential as that offered by other members of the learned professions. Civilization is built on a spiritual foundation. It will come tumbling like a house of cards if the strength of the undergirders is not maintained.
We need more money for many things but perhaps the most urgent of all is adequate support for our Christian ministers.
Christian Freedom Foundation, Inc.
New York 19, N. Y.
By
Howard E. Kershner, LL.D.
THE average minister works about twice as many hours per week as the average member of his congregation. For these long hours he receives perhaps a little more than half as much as the median income of his parishioners. To prepare for his calling he needs more education than most of the members of the community in which he lives and, to do his job well, he certainly needs more books and magazines.
The minister must not only live on a small salary with the hardships that means to himself and his family, but he must supply sympathy, counsel, encouragement and spiritual energy for all those members of the community who require it.
Some polls have indicated that two-thirds of the ministers interviewed were in debt. Many are unable to provide proper medical care for themselves and their families. They must keep up their spiritual alertness and enthusiasm in competition with unpaid bills, inability to provide proper education for their children and oftentimes in the face of seeing their wives have to go outside the home to augment their meager salaries.
The service rendered by our ministers is as essential as that offered by other members of the learned professions. Civilization is built on a spiritual foundation. It will come tumbling like a house of cards if the strength of the undergirders is not maintained.
We need more money for many things but perhaps the most urgent of all is adequate support for our Christian ministers.
Christian Freedom Foundation, Inc.
New York 19, N. Y.
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
Ministers Salary
Religious Support
Spiritual Foundation
Minister Hardships
Christian Ministers
What entities or persons were involved?
Ministers
Christian Freedom Foundation, Inc.
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Adequate Support For Christian Ministers
Stance / Tone
Advocacy For Increased Financial Support
Key Figures
Ministers
Christian Freedom Foundation, Inc.
Key Arguments
Ministers Work Twice As Many Hours As Parishioners But Earn Half The Median Income
Ministers Require More Education And Resources Than Community Members
Ministers Provide Essential Sympathy, Counsel, And Spiritual Energy Despite Personal Hardships
Two Thirds Of Ministers Are In Debt And Unable To Afford Medical Care Or Education
Ministers' Wives Often Work To Supplement Low Salaries
Ministers' Service Is As Essential As Other Professions For Civilization's Spiritual Foundation
Adequate Support For Ministers Is The Most Urgent Need