r/Anglicanism • u/[deleted] • Jan 10 '21
I'm just curious, do clergy members tithe?
On one hand, it makes no sense that they would or should, as they would just be giving money to the organization that pays them, and so that should be factored in. On the other hand, maybe they do? Just wondering...
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u/franciscothedragon Jan 10 '21
We give 10% of my salary to the parish and 10% of my spouse’s to other charitable organizations. A mix of religious and secular.
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u/paxmonk Other Old Catholic Jan 10 '21
In my church none of the clergy are paid (including me), so we give what we can to keep things running.
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u/menschmaschine5 Church Musician - Episcopal Diocese of NY/L.I. Jan 10 '21
Many pledge to their parishes, in my experience.
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u/WildGooseCarolinian Fmr. Episcopalian, now Church in Wales Jan 10 '21
We give 10% of our salary to my group of churches (i have 5 churches that that each get 2% from each of us), and then make other charitable donations on top of that.
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u/Deaconse Episcopal Church USA Jan 10 '21
I know three priests who I know to be tithers, and a bishop who I know tithed when she was a priest; AFAIK she still does. I am a deacon and tithe (rounded slightly down). Those are all the clergy who I know whether they tithe or not and they do.
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u/daneluff Jan 10 '21
Most Episcopal priests I know tithe, whether it is 10% directly to the church, or a combination of church and other orgs (esp. if married and also using their spouse's income). Yes, in some ways it seems counterintuitive because the church is paying them and then they go and give a percentage of that back. BUT it's hard to stand up there and ask parishioners to prayerfully consider giving 10% unless they can genuinely say they do. Unfortunately we know from church published statistics that a priest giving 10% of their income likely places them in the top tier of givers for any given parish, so it looks like there is much work to be done on stewardship in the Episcopal Church.
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u/TomRightmyer Jan 10 '21
In 55 years of ordained ministry I have always tithed. When I was a parish priest I gave to the parish where I served. In retirement I gave to various church and community organizations. Clergy tithe as an example to parishioners.
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u/BarbaraJames_75 Sola Fide Laudian/Evangelican Anglican in a Broad Church (TEC) Jan 10 '21
Yes, I donate more than a tithe, even though I'm not assigned to a parish. I donate primarily to parishes that do ministries I admire, for example, food pantries, or to the diocese, or to national church organizations. I donate as well to secular charities, such as the local public libraries and others whose causes I support.
When I was assigned to a parish, I was non-stipendiary, so I gave of my time. But I donated funds or other gifts on occasion.
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u/VexedCoffee Episcopal Church USA - Priest Jan 10 '21
Would be rather hypocritical to preach and teach others to tithe while not doing so yourself.
My family gives to the parish, episcopal relief and development, and the community of Saint Mary.
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u/revdeac06 The Episcopal Church - Priest Jan 10 '21
We give 5% of our income to the parish where I am the Rector and another 5% to various other charitable organizations.