Comments on: POLL: Salary or Vacation?

By: Bryan Barker

Bryan Barker — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:01:59 +0000

Trust me I know that 5% increase would be better for the long run. Seeing that I’m a single youth pastor and live on the church grounds and make what I make, The 5% increase isn’t worth it. So give me the time off!!!!

By: Andy Lawrenson

Andy Lawrenson — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:47:02 +0000

I’m happy with my amount of vacation time and often struggle to use it up. The extra 5% would be a great little wad of cash to blow on vacation.

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:00:42 +0000

I dont take all the vacation time that i get now… The money could make the vacation time that I do take more fun!

By: Cory

Cory — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:34:59 +0000

i’m a workaholic and it’d be better to be paid for it

By: Brad

Brad — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:59:29 +0000

I’d be happy to avoid a pay cut right now. Given the fact that we’ve already done “vacation in lieu of raise” and only had one cost of living increase in seven years, I’d take the raise.

By: Lee Roberts

Lee Roberts — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:33:00 +0000

I’d have to say the pay increase for a few reasons. Like McNutt I had a flat year this year as well to help balancing some potential budget issues. I didn’t mind because plenty around me have lost jobs, but it would be nice to get back that money now.
Secondly, in 6 months from now I’ll be getting an extra week of vacation anyway as one of my benefits for being here as long as i have. Since I’m getting that soon enough anyway……Send me the guacamole.

By: Matthew McNutt

Matthew McNutt — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:27:44 +0000

I’d take the money! My kids are getting older and eating more! I get a lot of vacation time – about to burn through some before I lose it in the new year, but the $$$ are tight. We didn’t get raises this year; supposedly a flat year, but really it was kind of like a pay cut because the cost of living has gone up, and they changed our insurance plan to one that means more out of pocket expenses for us. So at the end of the day, that’s a cut I want back! lol

By: Todd

Todd — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:24:13 +0000

My first response was vacation without question. Then after some thought I would have to take the 5%. We had a policy that you get a yearly 3% raise, but that has happened only once in the past 5 years due to finacial issues. I currently get 21 days plus 3 weekends and due to my years of service that will move to 4 weeks and 4 weekends next year.
I always value my time with family over money, but right at the moment my family would benefit more from the cash.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:59:18 +0000

I can take off days here and there for family time, but that’s not the same as having a solid week where there is no expectation of me being around the church or answering my phone/email. A little more money would always be nice, but if I have to choose one or the other, I will take an extra week of rest.

By: matthew

matthew — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:21:28 +0000

I would say a raise because I have never received a raise in any of the churches I have been on staff. My latest is best with personal time by far. A raise would help with the bills and lighten the burden!

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:59:05 +0000

I would take the extra week. Time off to get re-charged and time with family is the best = priceless…
Regardless of what type of work we do. It is the healthy choice to get away and refuel.

By: Mike Lovato

Mike Lovato — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:56:20 +0000

I’d totally go for the raise. I feel like I currently have plenty of vacation time and personal days, and I get an extra week every year starting when I hit 5 years here next year. The extra pay would be a benefit year-round, not just as a break in a busy season.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:54:40 +0000

it depends on how much vacation i currently got. 5 percent is about 2 weeks pay in addition to what you currently get. Currently I would take the funds because I get the vacation that my wife gets, but in some other circumstances the vacation would be good also.

By: Brian Seidel

Brian Seidel — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:45:40 +0000

I got an extra week of vacation 3 years ago and have yet to actually use the extra week…so the money is my vote. I am with Josh though, my church is very good about giving personal time too

By: Dusty

Dusty — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:54:44 +0000

I would rather take the vacation. $2G would be great but in our church we get a 3% raise each year and a week more vacation after 10 years. I would rather get a jump on the vacation than have the money that I would have in just 2 years anyway. Dont know if that makes sense to anyone not living in my head!

By: Josh Herndon

Josh Herndon — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:44:14 +0000

My church is very good with giving personal time off for family stuff, so I’d have to say the raise would be excellent.

Thanks for offering, Josh!

By: damon

damon — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:24:52 +0000

An extra week with the fam, no matter how cheesy or inexpensive it has to be, is worth FAR more than $2000. Just ask my kids.