Book Review: Providing for Pastors: How to Give Time, Energy, and Money to Support the Work of Pastors
A secondary teacher at Central Baptist Christian School in Brandon, FL, USA.
Jeremy Walker, Evangelical Press (2023), 144pp, (£12.99 epbooks.org)
Providing for Pastors is a brief primer on a subject rarely covered in popular publications: compensating clergymen. The author of this work, Jeremy Walker, has served as a pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church in Crawley since 2003 and is the book review editor for The Banner of Truth Magazine. Other titles authored by Walker include The Brokenhearted Evangelist (2012), The New Calvinism Considered (2016), and Passing the Baton (2023). At the time of writing this article, Providing for Pastors is the first book listed on the homepage of Evangelical Press.
This short volume, penned last year by Walker, aims to provide a biblical foundation for congregational giving. This publication is broken into six sections, the first half of which sees Walker lead his readers through a logical progression of reasons why pastors must be financially supported by their churches. Observing this series of arguments payoff as the book progresses is one of the greatest joys of reading this concise guide. Walker writes that “providing for pastors is a simple matter of obedience to Christ in his word” (41). Thankfully, readers are given thorough biblical support as to why this is a “simple matter” in this title.
Walker begins by demonstrating that Christians are to give. As those who have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, they should have hearts that reflect the charitable nature of Christ, as he gave up his life for them. Therefore, believers are to give their time, labour, and material resources for the sake of Christ. The question raised by Walker at this point is where a Christian’s efforts should be primarily directed toward. The answer provided forms the main thesis of the first chapter: We should primarily labour for the sake of our local churches. While contributing to other organisations and bodies is not off-limits to a believer, the congregation to which the Christian belongs must be the main recipient of their contributions.
Walker then poses a new question: What should a church (the recipient of the believer’s funds) primarily devote itself to? The “preaching of the word of God” (16) is the answer given. By drawing from key New Testament texts, the author skilfully demonstrates how vital this focus is for churches. While other aims such as building maintenance and developing an online presence might be tempting distractions for congregations, “The first concern of any church should be the spiritual health of its members,” (18) writes Walker. This spiritual care is accomplished by supporting those who preach. Here, we can see Walker’s argument come together: Christians must give to the church to compensate those who work diligently for its well-being through preaching. Additionally, those who oversee and determine a pastor’s salary must do so generously, when possible.
Following the establishment of the principles found in the early chapters, the latter half of this title focuses on the practical. One interesting scenario that is presented explores how a pastor is to teach these ideas without sounding self-serving. After all, elders are not to be “lovers of money” (1 Tim 3:3) and the possible appearance of greed may deter pastors from wanting to talk about pastoral compensation. Walker suggest several possible solutions to this problem but assures his readers that teaching on this matter is “part of a preacher’s duty” to teach “the whole counsel of God” (43). Other issues briefly handled by Walker include compensation for a visiting preacher, providing book budgets for ministers, retirement funds, housing situations, church mergers, and cooperation between sister churches. These various topics prove to be an invaluable resource for those who handle and consider church finances.
Overall, this is an excellent read for those interested in this subject. While this short guide could be completed in one lengthy sitting, it uses its pages efficiently to cover the issue at hand. The biggest critique I can offer this book regards its length. While Evangelical Press lists this title as having 144 pages on its website, the edition that I hold in my hand ends on page 85. What caused this discrepancy? I cannot say. However, I would have enjoyed 59 more pages of content.
Walker makes several references to works of the past in Providing for Pastors, which is appreciated. However, this is a topic which could be explored in greater length and detail by surveying what Protestants have historically taught on this matter. Such an addition would be warmly welcomed if a future expanded edition of this title is to be released and would add substantially to the page count.
Length aside, Pastor Walker has given the church a valuable resource in Providing for Pastors. This book could potentially have a great impact on prosperity of many preachers and their families, perhaps convincing congregations to compensate their shepherds more fairly. For this fact alone, I am grateful for Pastor Walker’s efforts, and I look forward to reading his next publication.
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