Health insurance.

Tax-advantaged retirement accounts.

Vision insurance.

Wellness programs.

Dental insurance.

Matching retirement savings.

Disability insurance.

Tuition reimbursements.

Life insurance.

Annual bonus incentive plans.

Child care assistance.

Discounted merchandise.

 

These are some of the most common benefits that employers offer these days, and the list is ever growing. In fact, they can be the deciding factor for someone accepting a job offer in today’s tight labor market.

 

Unfortunately, many non-denominational pastors are on the outside looking in. If their church can scrape together enough to pay them a livable salary they are blessed. But, benefits? There’s just no way.

 

However, a lot of the benefits that big corporations offer are still needed by pastors. You still need health insurance. It would still be a big help to be able to save for retirement in a tax-advantaged account. It would still be wise to have life insurance.

 

How Independent Pastors Can Access Employee Benefits

How do you get them, though?  It’s not like you’re going to leave the ministry just to have an employer that will pay for those things. Is there any other way for you to get your hands on some of these popular benefits that your church can’t afford to give you?

 

Yes. With a part-time side job. Whether it’s you or your spouse taking on the job, it could be a great way to access valuable employee benefits without leaving your church.

 

Traditionally benefits were only given to full-time workers, but there are a number of companies that are now offering some of their benefits to part-time workers as well. Here are some companies and types of companies that offer benefits for part-timers, but it is by no means comprehensive. Chances are, you can find a good local company wherever you are that would be willing to offer you benefits for part-time work.

 

Types Of Jobs That Offer Benefits To Part-Time Workers

Unions

When I was 16, I got a job as a courtesy clerk at a local grocery store and was therefore required to join the United Food & Commercial Workers Union. I didn’t like having to pay union dues as a teenager, but they provided me with health insurance for the first time in my life.

 

There are many unions out there that require employers to pay benefits to workers, no matter how many hours they work. Look around your neighborhood to see what unions are present and what kinds of benefits they offer. A good place to start is the grocery store.

 

Medical Providers

I have a friend who just got a job with a major medical provider. As an employee there, her health insurance is practically free. Already the mother of 4 boys, she says she’s tempted to have another baby just because it would only cost her $5. It’s hard to resist a deal like that!

 

Whether it’s Kaiser Permanente or your local hospital, many medical providers offer health benefits to all employees, because, well, that’s what they do. Across the spectrum from medical professionals to those who work in patient services, counseling, or administration, they take care of everyone. Often it’s not just health insurance they offer, either, but pensions and tuition assistance as well. Another perk: You don’t have to call a hotline for a nurse’s advice, you can just ask a coworker!

 

Federal Government

Whether you deliver mail for the USPS or work as a park ranger, you can get benefits by working for the federal government. Part-time work opportunities depend upon the government agency, but they are all eligible for benefits. You can read more about the benefits available from the US Office of Personnel Management here.

 

Companies That Offer Benefits To Part-Time Workers

Need more specific guidance? Here is a list of companies that offer benefits for part-time work. Each one offers different benefits and has different eligibility criteria, so follow the links of the ones that catch your attention to learn more:

• Costco
• Starbucks
• Chipotle
• Nike
• UPS
• JPMorgan Chase
• Lowe’s
• Aerotek
• Macy’s
• Staples
• Activision Blizzard
• FedEx
• Home Depot
• REI
• The Container Store
• Uber
• Whole Foods
• U Haul

 

Now, if you or your spouse decide to take on a side-job, don’t look at it as just a way to access their benefits. God has called us to be salt and light in this world, and there’s no better way to reach people than to work side by side with them on a daily basis. You can impact the world just as much, if not more, from behind a cash register as you do from behind a pulpit.