Although Riverside named Braxton its new pastor on Sunday, several representatives from the 2,700-member congregation, filed a motion in Manhattan's State Supreme Court last week, claiming they never had the chance to vote on Braxton's employment package. The group, which includes members from the church's budget committee, says that despite its requests, the church board formed for the yearlong pastoral search refused to reveal any financial details surrounding Braxton's hiring.
A statement from Billy Jones, chairman of the church's executive board, disputed this claim and added that the new pastor's compensation was "in line with other religious leaders in Manhattan who minister to congregations of a similar size and scope."
According to the dissenting group, Braxton's compensation package includes $250,000 in annual salary, a monthly "living allowance" of $11,500, an annual payment to help the Braxtons save for a house, and separate allowances for a full-time maid, "professional development," entertainment, travel and private school tuition for the couple's 3-year-old daughter. Jones says expenses for a full-time maid were not included as part of the package, and argues that the tuition fees amount to free child care at the church's day care center.
Regardless of some of the details, those opposing Braxton's extensive compensation question the timing. "This is a huge amount of money to be paying at a time of such economic crisis," said Diana Solomon-Glover, who has attended Riverside for more than 30 years. In addition, the dissenters are concerned about the church's large operating deficit. Previously Riverside has had a massive endowment from John D. Rockerfeller Jr. as a safety net, but the recent economic stock market crash has dwindled that endowment, and the church can't draw more than 5 percent from it.
A 40-year-old former professor at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, Braxton addressed the controversy on Saturday during a service by saying critics were "mistaking molehills for mountains," then later added that one of his top priorities as new pastor was "the sacred business of moving mountains." [nydailynews.com, 4/23-27/09; nytimes.com, 4/22/09]
The Leading Point
First Priority
Kindgom Culture
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Evangelical Essentials
Pastor's Heart
Comments
1. Various locations do require different salaries due to cost of living; what is high in one place is only average in others.
2. There is nothing super spiritual about pastors - or people - being poor; God blesses so blessing can be shared. If they are not shared or used to bless others - that is a different issue.
3. The worker is worthy of their hire; to complain sounds like jealousy, sour grapes, or a lack of understanding of the broad administrative skills and ministry ability required to successfully manage a large organization or church.
4. Such large salaries are only an issue if the church pays the large salary, creates a fine campus yet ignores outreach into its community and does nothing to impact and better the lives of the por, the hungry, the lost, or the sinner. Quote
Thanks for allowing me to comment. Quote
NY is not cheap by any means and to move from their current home leaving everything to start over is no easy task. Take care of those that preach the gospel and concentrate more on bringing people to Christ instead of bickering over such things.
I wonder if the congregation tried to bring this before their elders instead of going to church. Let the world act like the church and not the other way around. Does this glorify God in any way? From my standpoint as a ready…it does not!!!!
With Love in Christ, Quote
Braxton clearly isn't being paid for his unparalleled labor and effectiveness…but at this rate, he may honestly be accused of being a hireling. The real test is: Will he accept that position and SERVE the Body for a FAR more reasonable sum-to be an example of Jesus to the church and to the world? "The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."
Signed: Also a Professor and a Pastor Quote
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