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
-
Breanna Nix Stuns the Crowd with Grand Ole Opry Debut Performance
-
Here Are the Winners of the 2024 K-LOVE Fan Awards
-
TobyMac Accused of Dabbling with Satanic Occult
-
New Documentary “J. D. Greear Unmasked” Exposes Power Struggles Within the Southern Baptist Convention
-
Brandon Lake Sparks Conversation on “Christianese” in Worship: Calls for Greater Accessibility in Music
-
Newsboys Frontman Michael Tait Accused of Sexual Assault and Misconduct
-
Bill Gaither and Gaither Vocal Band Launch 2025 “Love Like I’m Leaving” Tour
-
Gospel Legend Bishop Norman Hutchins Passes Away at 62
-
American Idol's Breanna Nix’s Debut Single “Higher” Soars to No. 1
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
12th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards: The Winners & How You Can Watch It
-
Brandon Lake Joins Rascal Flatts on "Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets"
-
New Trailer for "Testament," a Series Bringing to Life the Acts of the Apostles, is Out Now!
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Carroll McGruder, of the McGruders, Passes Away
Most Popular
-
Breanna Nix Stuns the Crowd with Grand Ole Opry Debut Performance
-
Here Are the Winners of the 2024 K-LOVE Fan Awards
-
TobyMac Accused of Dabbling with Satanic Occult
-
New Documentary “J. D. Greear Unmasked” Exposes Power Struggles Within the Southern Baptist Convention
-
Brandon Lake Sparks Conversation on “Christianese” in Worship: Calls for Greater Accessibility in Music
-
Newsboys Frontman Michael Tait Accused of Sexual Assault and Misconduct
-
Bill Gaither and Gaither Vocal Band Launch 2025 “Love Like I’m Leaving” Tour
-
Gospel Legend Bishop Norman Hutchins Passes Away at 62
-
American Idol's Breanna Nix’s Debut Single “Higher” Soars to No. 1
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
12th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards: The Winners & How You Can Watch It
-
Brandon Lake Joins Rascal Flatts on "Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets"
-
New Trailer for "Testament," a Series Bringing to Life the Acts of the Apostles, is Out Now!
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Carroll McGruder, of the McGruders, Passes Away