Very sad....I’m trying to understand the expense for entertainment.  I think the solution is for Dr. Braxton to take his salary, pension, benefits and housing and leave it at that.  I realize the larger the congregation, the larger the responsibility, but it almost sounds like he’s bleeding the congregation dry.  In this economic climate, who would have thought pastors would be some of those whose salary would have to come into question just like corporate CEOs?

Sadly, Ed, while a bi-vocational preacher might be an option today, a bi-vo pastor may not. Far too many churches today place 24-hour expectations on their pastors. Even if there are enough staff or laity to do things like home and hospital visitations, in some cultures, it has to be the pastor or its no good. To expect a pastor to support his family on a “normal” full-time income, then expect him to participate and officiate in so many other areas at the expense of his health and his family’s well-being just can’t happen in our complex culture. I really wish it were different, as I am seeking to minister myself, but I just don’t see how to make that work with the incredible expectations of so many today.

I fail to see how he needs to make that much, I think Jesus’ words to the Pharisee’s, though in a different context, can still apply to the issue of overpaid pastors.  “You load people down with burdens they can hardly carry,” “You love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplace” (in other words, preferred treatment and exaltation).  I am on staff as minister of worship at a small church and am thankful for what I make, especially given the financial climate.  I teach music lessons to supplement income, and my wife still has to work (and gets paid quite a bit more than me too).  But this is where God has called us, and if the church can help to make it so one day my wife does not have to work full-time, great, but otherwise God provides in other ways, not to mention we have the option of decreasing our standard of living.
On the flip side I agree that bi-vocational ministry is not usually healthy for a pastor’s family or a pastor, it can be too much.  Pastor’s ought to be paid enough to live in their area of ministry and support their needs and their families.
However, this congregation is neglecting Paul’s clear teaching about not bringing unbelieving courts into church disputes.  Plus, if money is the church’s and pastor’s biggest concern right now, I think the question of who is master in this situation? ought to be asked.

Forget this specific case for a moment, is it really true that $600k is the average salary for the Pastor of a megachurch? 

I’m all for financially honoring and taking care of the Lord’s servant as a general principle, but is this really necessary?  Even if affordable for those churches, is this the best, most God-glorifying investment of His resources? 

Consider, through Gospel for Asia, $3,500 a year will fully finance an indigent missionary.  For the same money, these churches could instead significantly honor their pastors with a significant compensation of, say, $100-150K AND about 140 missionaries to the billions of lost in Asia.

I think everyone is missing something: never heard of this before but this church is “Christian/Muslim” congregation. Read the bulletin:

http://www.theriversidechurchny.org/pdfs/brochure_20090420.pdf

Hey guys...I was wondering how is it any of our buisness what that church wants to do in paying that pastor...it seems like those upset are just jealous...not sure but that is how it sounds!  I think if most pastors were offered this and felt called to the church...they would be excited!  I could see the uproar if this is the sallary he gave himself but that is what they offered and after what has happened...court...newspaper...embarassment...he has already earned that money!  Furthermore...it sounds as though the people are much more upset that this pastor wants to evangelize the area rather than just preach about injustice!

By the way...if I had to wear that get up that he has on every week and I my picture taken in it...they would have to pay me good too!

I am curious about how the compensation package was developed and approved.  If there was a committee that developed it and presented it in a business meeting and approved there, then that should be the end of the discussion.  If it was left to a board which was given that authority by church business meeting action, then the dissidents could have appealed it per their by-law, drop it, or leave.  I am othered by the “secretive” nature.  Church business should be done with transparency to prevent these items erupting into a fight.  Before any pastor is considered, the package should be finalized.  It is not the amount that bothers me...it is how this whole process was carried out.  I have served on two pastor search committees.  We developed a job description and a compensation package that was approved long before we interviewed our first candidate.

Yet another story that makes Christians look like the anithesis of common sense.  If you don’t like how your church is spending your money then stop giving them your money.  How much more simple can it get?

Dan hit the nail on the head.  Another thing is I have my doubts as to whether this man disagrees with such materialism.  And I just read the post by CS--not that I know completely what this pastor stands for, but it’s the very same things as this that adds to the apostacy of the church. And people wonder why most churches have rendered themselves ineffective and why God isn’t moving in their midst.  It’s because He’s already moved out.  You cut off the Head and there is no life.

I agree whole-heartedly with what CS said. This “social gospel” crap is NOT the Gospel at all. Yes, Jesus did a lot of “social” things but His purpose was to seek and to save that which was lost. This “feel good” social gospel isn’t about the truth. It’s no different than wordly altruism by many who aren’t even believers. Yes, help the poor, feed the hungry, pray for the sick, but don’t push aside the REAL truth of the Gospel in the process. We should be doing the social things BECAUSE OF the Gospel; not in place of it.

Surely, will Jesus find faith on the earth or will He find a church lobotomized and out of touch with the real truth and purpose of the Gospel? Will He find people doing the work of the Father or the work of man?

I think that this pastor’s salary is way over the top personally. I echo what PT said as to the cost of a missionary in some other part of the world. They operate successfully on so much less and if this “poor” pastor could just “survive” on $300K, they could divert the other $300K into supporting people who are reaching the lost and dying of the world rather than handing out condoms, worrying about gay marriage, and doing things that have no bearing whatsoever on a person’s eternal destiny. The church needs to stop dealing with the effects of sin and start dealing with the root.....the HEART. A pig doesn’t stop being a pig just because you wash him with a hose and slap some Oil of Olay on it.

God bless you all!