Church employees in UK struggling with debt
Debt is a common experience for UK church employees, according to the results of a new survey.
In the survey of 182 individual church employees, 24% said they currently had personal debts - excluding mortgage debt - which were exceeding the equivalent of one month's salary.
One in three said they felt there was no one in the church they could go to about their financial position.
One in eight said their ministry role was being affected by their situation.
The survey looked at data from over 400 churches and found that pay levels tend not to keep pace with inflation, while less than half of staff are contributing to a church sponsored pension scheme.
One church worker, named only as Julian, told of how he left his job as a chartered surveyor to become a pastor and soon hit upon financial difficulties.
He said the salary was "modest" and paid "erratically". The family eventually resorted to paying for groceries with credit cards, despite Julian taking on a second job in a factory to help make ends meet.
"Being in debt is a massive taboo subject especially for a church leader – who can you confide in? You worry that your ministry will be affected if people in your church learn of your struggle," he said.
Stephen Mathews, senior consultant at Stewardship, agreed that the topic of personal debt can be taboo in many churches.
Matthews called for "open and honest" discussions between church employers and employees.
"Church ministers who struggle with personal finances can perceive that their ability to teach on money and finances is seriously affected," he said.
Stewardship is urging any church worker struggling financially to contact Christians Against Poverty for their free debt counselling service.
Tags : Church employees UK debt
Hot Trends
-
Chester Bennington Dies: Was He a Christian?
-
Roy Clark Dies at 85
-
Sadie Robertson Huff, Priscilla Shirer, Craig Groeschel, And More Join In On Gather25 Awareness Campaign
-
Hulvey Announces New Album, "Cry," Due Out Sept. 13
-
Hear the Story Behind Getty’s "Christ Our Hope in Life and Death"
-
Justin Bieber Makes Christian Music Chart Debut Amidst Praises from His Peers
-
Randall Goodgame's "Scripture Hymnal" Unveils a Treasury of Bible Songs
-
Carla Williams Releases New Duet with 4HIM's Kirk Sullivan "Love to Gain"
-
John Schlitt Releases Deluxe Edition Box Set "HISTORY"
-
kalley and Her Husband Andrew Heiligenthal Welcome Their New Baby
-
STRYPER Announce New Album "When We Were Kings" Due Out September 13th
-
Vertical Worship Set to Release New Album April 6th
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Rita Springer's "How Much More (feat. TAYA)"
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
-
Selah's Amy Perry Speaks About Her Solo Worship Album "Glory All Around"
Most Popular
-
Chester Bennington Dies: Was He a Christian?
-
Roy Clark Dies at 85
-
Sadie Robertson Huff, Priscilla Shirer, Craig Groeschel, And More Join In On Gather25 Awareness Campaign
-
Hulvey Announces New Album, "Cry," Due Out Sept. 13
-
Hear the Story Behind Getty’s "Christ Our Hope in Life and Death"
-
Justin Bieber Makes Christian Music Chart Debut Amidst Praises from His Peers
-
Randall Goodgame's "Scripture Hymnal" Unveils a Treasury of Bible Songs
-
Carla Williams Releases New Duet with 4HIM's Kirk Sullivan "Love to Gain"
-
John Schlitt Releases Deluxe Edition Box Set "HISTORY"
-
kalley and Her Husband Andrew Heiligenthal Welcome Their New Baby
-
STRYPER Announce New Album "When We Were Kings" Due Out September 13th
-
Vertical Worship Set to Release New Album April 6th
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Rita Springer's "How Much More (feat. TAYA)"
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
-
Selah's Amy Perry Speaks About Her Solo Worship Album "Glory All Around"