To help pastors during these challenging economic times, the Convention’s financial health team set up a $100,000 grant to help pastors in need among the state’s 5,000 churches. The giveaway spread the funds across 200 grants, or $500 each, and the money was claimed within a day.
Dr. David Hardage, executive director of the Texas Baptists, says a good pastor is one who will try to meet the needs of others before looking after his own problems.
“And they just need somebody,” he says. “to be thinking about them as well."
Hardage says the driving force behind the pastor fund was the economy and, more specifically, the financial stress inflation is causing on families and their budget. The goal was to provide relief, even if it’s temporary, to pastors who need it.
Pastors did have to meet some qualifications. Their church has to be a member of the Texas Baptists and has to contribute to the cooperative fund. Priority was given to pastors with at least a year in their current ministry.
Hardage says many families by now are struggling to make ends meet, and the church pastor and his family could be among them.
“A lot of them work second jobs, and that sort of thing, but many of them aren't able to do that,” he advises. “So think about them. Walk alongside them when you can. Be faithful and be generous.”
