With all the talk of salary adjustments for pastors, including a recent letter to the editor in the Adventist Review pleading for an increase in pay, I have been doing some thinking. When I decided to enter the full-time ministry, I left a job that in 1995 paid me $55,000 per year. My replacement is now making more than $80,000. If money had been my motivation, I would have stayed there and now be making a very comfortable living (plus, my retirement savings would be intact). I don't believe it is money that attracts the best pastoral candidates. I have no data to support this view other than my own experience.

This morning I received the latest John Maxwell e-newsletter. The first article jumped out at me. He talked about the motivational impact of working together with people who share your dreams and passions, your commitment to excellence. Again, it connected with my experience.

Before entering the pastorate, I worked at Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. There I worked with some of the top emergency services people in the country. We were movers and shakers. We were changing the industry. As a flight paramedic, I worked with the 14 best paramedics in the Portland Metro area. For four years, I chaired a state committee that included some of the brightest and best known physicians, administrators, fire chiefs, paramedics, and nurses in Oregon. We accomplished things that had never been done before. I was given a prestigious award, but in reality it belonged to us all! In addition, serving on the State Trauma Advisory Board allowed me to work with some of the top surgeons in the country. I loved working with these people.

When I first began pastoring, in Southern California, I worked at the most progressive and successful young adult ministry in the Adventist Church in the US and Canada (at that time). I had a leadership team of twelve dedicated people who made ministry their top priority. Another thirty to forty were always available to serve. These people were the greatest.

Then I went to seminary. It was like a large church where everyone was committed to ministry. Everyday, going to school was like the fellowship one feels in the foyer of a large church with great morale. Discussing dreams, vision, plans, and ideas -- it was a wonderful experience. As president of the Seminary Student Forum, coordinating the re:church conference, working at

NADEI (The North American Division Evangelism Institute), serving on the Dean's Council, I was constantly interacting with some of the brightest minds in Adventism. In addition I worked with a new church plant in South Bend where people were excited about doing church. My paradigms were constantly stimulated and challenged. These people motivated me to do my best.

But now, things are different. I have a two church district, covering almost 15,000 square miles. I drive about a thousand miles per week. Although there are dedicated people in these churches, there isn't the same spirit of excellence I'm used to. My members are content not to evangelize, not to grow. They are content with the status quo. So I keep turning down the volume on my dreams. I keep scaling back my vision. I've stopped expecting people to get excited about the potential in southwest Wyoming.

Yesterday I read an interview with Adventist church-growth specialist Ron Gladden. As I write this morning, I'm reminded of his comments regarding the dedication and enthusiasm that is characteristic of church plant core teams. I miss that kind of environment. I hear from my friend Dave in Franktown and my friend Tami in Riverside -- I hear about the enthusiasm of their "established" churches. My friends Alan, Roger, and Shasta with their growing church plants.

Don't get me wrong. It's not like I'm not being challenged. I'm learning much. I'm learning patience, perseverance, and tolerance -- to name a few.

But my point is: I don't need more money. I'm at the bottom of the pay scale. My wife, as my partner in ministry, does not have a separate income. We drive two fairly decent vehicles. We put away money in savings every month. And, we live a comfortable lifestyle and participate in the activities that interest us. More money is not the answer.

The answer is -- let me use my gifts, talents, education, and experience to achieve the vision God has put in my heart. Allow me to work with people who are ready to pursue the full potential of His Church. Living up to my potential is the greatest motivator of all.

Don't pay me more, just turn me lose!