This is it, the announcement you’ve all been waiting for! I have created a virtual space for Pastor’s Wallet readers to connect, learn, and receive support. I know you’re probably thinking, “It’s about time!” but, hey, I’ve got a lot on my plate.
What
The Pastor’s Wallet Community will be hosted on Facebook. I know some of you aren’t on Facebook and I completely understand. I actually avoided it for a long time as well, until I accepted the fact that I would never be invited to another social event if I weren’t. (That was before people realized they could text invitations.)
If I were techy and had a lot of time, I might do something else. I might use a different platform. But I’m not, so you get Facebook. If you aren’t on Facebook right now, you have two choices. You can set up an account just to join the Pastor’s Wallet group (which may very well be worthwhile) or you can miss out, though I’m sure you’ll still be able to live a very fruitful and fulfilling life. I’m fine with whichever you choose.
Why
Why am I doing this and why now?
I think the Pastor’s Wallet community would really benefit from a user-friendly place to communicate with each other. For example, take a look at the comment thread on the article How Do Pastors Opt Out Of Social Security? Poor Titan, Brian, Steve, and Tay keep having to comment on the article to hear about each others’ experience and try to get a handle on the timing for the IRS’ approval of Form 4361. Wouldn’t it have been easier to post the question in a Facebook group and get input from the whole community in one easy-to-navigate place? I think so.
Also, I’m not the only professional who knows anything about clergy finances. I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. If you take a look at the comments on the article Can Pastors Opt Back Into Social Security?, you’ll see that in January Beverly Worth was really on top of answering people’s questions. She has been writing about minister’s taxation since before I was born and was able to provide quality answers to my readers’ questions while I was probably at the kitchen table teaching my kids math.
I am not the only one with answers. I have never been a pastor, I have never claimed Social Security benefits, and I have never used TurboTax to file my own return. There are some things where you guys are better qualified to answer questions than I am. I believe that you will all be better served by having one place where you can learn from each others’ experiences and also have access to the knowledge and experience of multiple professionals.
How To Join
How do you join this amazing community flowing with wisdom and expertise? Click here and request admittance. Or Request admittance here:
When you ask to join, you will have to answer two questions. The first is if you are in ministry, a financial professional, or something else. If you are a pastor’s spouse you are in ministry, even if you don’t get paid anything. If you are in HR at a church or the principal of a Christian school, that counts as ministry too. Don’t sell yourself short. Ministry goes way beyond the pulpit. The second question just asks for a short description of your ministry or business.
I don’t ask these because it is an ultra-selective community. Anyone who behaves themselves can join and participate. I ask because I like to know a little more about you. You matter and I am interested in who you are.
The Rules
What do I mean by “anyone who behaves themselves?” There are rules that you must follow. Only three of them, though I may add to them if problems crop up. These are the rules for the Pastor’s Wallet Community:
- Only Discuss Financial Matters. The group is for discussing financial matters, not debating theology, arguing politics, bemoaning society’s condition, or complaining about your church or someone else’s.
- Don’t Guess. If you do not know the answer to a question, don’t answer. There is a lot of bad information out there regarding ministerial finances and this group will not contribute to it. When you’re unsure, wait quietly until someone who knows provides correct information.
- No Sales & No Soliciting. Financial professionals are allowed in the group so they can serve the ministers there with their wisdom. Not to promote their products and services. The only place you are allowed to promote your services is in the Professional Help post comments, and that is only open to financial services.
Posting Questions
I highly recommend posting any questions you have to the Pastor’s Wallet Online Community instead of emailing me directly. I will still be available by email, but you’ll likely get more information from the Pastor’s Wallet Online Community and you’ll also help others that have the same question.
At least starting out, I’m going to approve all of the posts for quality control. So, if you post something and it doesn’t automatically appear, you didn’t do anything wrong. Check back in a day or two and it should be there. I will only check in daily to approve posts so it will not be immediate, but it will still be faster than email.
Thank you for your faithful support of Pastor’s Wallet and I look forward to getting to know you better in the Pastor’s Wallet Online Community!
