Must a congregation support a preacher who was hired by an eldership that later dissolved?
Question:
Many years ago, an eldership hired a preacher. Upon hiring the new preacher, the eldership promised the preacher a certain amount of pay, pay raises, and other perks. A few years later, the eldership dissolved due to elders moving away, death, etc. From when the preacher was hired many years ago to the present time, membership has fallen a lot. Only a couple of dozen members are left, with about 85% being aged and on fixed income. The preacher still demands that the congregation keep the promises made to him by a dissolved eldership from when he was hired many years ago, putting financial strain on some members of the congregation.
Does the congregation have a moral responsibility to keep the promises made by the dissolved eldership years ago? Does the dissolution of the eldership dissolve the promises made? I am presently a member, but was not a member when the preacher was hired all those years ago, and had nothing to do with the hiring or any promises made. I do not even know the details of the promises made to the preacher. No hiring contract was involved, as far as I know. If need be, I can leave this congregation and place membership elsewhere, removing myself from the problem.
I would appreciate your thoughts on this situation.
Thank you.
Answer:
I want to adjust some of your terms so that the problem becomes clearer.
Elderships don't "hire preachers." Congregations decide if they want to support a preacher's work in their area. Elders help lead the congregation in making a good decision about who they should support. Since it is a congregation's decision, it doesn't matter if the elders change or the eldership folds due to a lack of qualified men.
If the congregation no longer has the funds to support the local preacher, that is again a decision by the congregation regarding what they can supply. A congregation does not go into debt to pay for things it cannot afford. For example, if looking at the contributions, expenses, and savings, a conclusion can be made, such as saying, "In three months, we will no longer have funds to continue supporting the preacher at our current amount. We can continue at a reduced level." It is then the preacher's choice whether to stay and live on less income, find a second job, find another congregation willing to support him in his work in that area, or move to another area to work.
As an example, the congregation where I serve the Lord is unable to pay enough for me to live in this area. I teach at a community college to make up the difference. Except for a few years, I've been doing this for the last 30 years -- sometimes with outside support or often without it. I know many preachers who drive school buses or work some other part-time job.
Agreements are good, but circumstances change, and everyone must adapt to the realities of the situations they find themselves in.
