Why Mormons

Tag: Lay Ministry

  • Why Do Mormons Have Unpaid Clergy?

    Why Do Mormons Have Unpaid Clergy?

    One of the most frequently noticed differences between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and many other Christian denominations is the absence of paid clergy at the local level. Visitors are often surprised to learn that bishops, counselors, teachers, and many other leaders serve without financial compensation while maintaining full-time jobs and family responsibilities. This naturally raises an important question: Why do Mormons have unpaid clergy?

    For Latter-day Saints, this practice is not about devaluing religious leadership or denying the importance of preparation and care. Instead, it reflects a deeply held belief that church leadership is a form of service rather than a profession. Leaders are called by God, not hired by an institution, and their authority comes from divine calling rather than salary or academic credentials.

    Unpaid clergy reinforces humility, equality, shared responsibility, and reliance on Jesus Christ. It reflects a vision of a church led by ordinary people doing extraordinary service through faith. Understanding this belief requires exploring biblical foundations, early Christian practice, stewardship, lay ministry, spiritual benefits, and the role of agency in church leadership.

    Lay Ministry in Practice

    In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, most leadership roles are filled by lay members. This includes bishops, counselors, elders quorum presidents, Relief Society presidents, teachers, youth leaders, and many others. These individuals are not professional clergy and are not paid for their service.

    They are members of the congregation who continue in their normal employment while fulfilling church responsibilities. Leadership callings are temporary and rotate regularly, allowing many members to serve over time.

    This system reflects the belief that the church belongs to its members collectively, not to a professional class.

    Callings Based on Inspiration

    Latter-day Saints believe leaders are called through prayer and inspiration rather than through résumés, interviews, or career advancement. Church leaders seek divine guidance when extending callings, trusting that God knows who is best suited to serve at a given time.

    Members are encouraged to accept callings with faith, even when they feel inadequate. This reliance on divine calling rather than professional qualification is central to the concept of unpaid clergy.

    Temporary Service

    Most leadership callings last only a few years. This prevents the concentration of power, reduces burnout, and reinforces humility. When a calling ends, the individual returns to being a regular member without special status.

    This rotation helps ensure that leadership is seen as service rather than entitlement.

    Biblical Foundations for Unpaid Ministry

    Latter-day Saints believe unpaid clergy aligns with patterns found in the Bible. In the New Testament, many early church leaders supported themselves financially while serving in ministry.

    The Apostle Paul is a well-known example. He worked as a tentmaker while traveling, teaching, and leading the Church. Paul explicitly stated that he chose not to rely on financial support so that the gospel would not be seen as motivated by gain.

    Early Christian leadership was often local, voluntary, and deeply integrated into everyday life.

    Service Without Financial Motive

    Latter-day Saints believe unpaid ministry helps remove financial motives from religious leadership. Leaders do not serve for income, status, or job security.

    This reinforces sincerity and devotion. Members believe leaders are more likely to act out of love and faith when service is not tied to compensation.

    Authority Through Calling, Not Salary

    In Latter-day Saint belief, spiritual authority does not come from education, ordination fees, or salary. It comes from God through priesthood authority and calling.

    Unpaid clergy reinforces the idea that authority is spiritual rather than institutional. Leaders serve because they are called, not because they are hired.

    This distinction helps members focus on Christ as the true head of the Church.

    Financial Stewardship and Church Resources

    Another important reason Latter-day Saints have unpaid clergy is financial stewardship. Church funds come primarily from voluntary tithes and offerings given by members.

    By not paying local clergy, these funds can be directed toward other purposes such as humanitarian aid, education, temple construction, disaster relief, missionary work, and welfare assistance.

    Members believe donations should be used to bless as many people as possible rather than supporting salaries at the local level.

    Focus on Charity and Service

    The Church operates extensive humanitarian programs worldwide, providing food, medical aid, clean water, education, and emergency relief. Unpaid clergy helps make this possible.

    Members often see unpaid ministry as a way of ensuring that resources go outward to serve others rather than inward to sustain leadership.

    Accountability and Transparency

    Church finances are managed carefully, with systems of accountability designed to ensure responsible use. The absence of paid local clergy simplifies financial administration and reduces potential conflicts of interest.

    Spiritual Benefits of Lay Leadership

    Unpaid clergy offers significant spiritual benefits to both leaders and congregations.

    Because leaders live the same lives as those they serve, they understand everyday challenges related to work, family, finances, and faith. This relatability fosters empathy and trust.

    Leaders are not separated from the congregation by professional distance. They worship alongside those they lead and face similar struggles.

    Leaders Who Understand Real Life

    A bishop who balances work deadlines, family responsibilities, and church service understands the pressures members face. This shared experience helps leaders offer practical, compassionate guidance.

    Members often feel more comfortable approaching leaders who understand their daily realities.

    Growth Through Service

    Serving without pay encourages leaders to rely on God rather than personal expertise. Many leaders testify that their faith deepened as they served in roles they initially felt unqualified to fill.

    This growth-through-service model reflects the belief that God qualifies those He calls.

    Shared Responsibility in the Church

    Unpaid clergy encourages shared responsibility among members. Because leaders are volunteers, the Church depends on widespread participation.

    Teaching, organizing activities, ministering, and caring for others are shared responsibilities rather than tasks delegated exclusively to professionals.

    This creates a strong sense of ownership and community.

    Participation Builds Faith

    Members who serve learn by doing. Teaching a lesson, organizing service, or leading a group helps individuals develop faith, leadership skills, and compassion.

    Unpaid clergy supports a culture where everyone contributes.

    Avoiding a Clergy-Laity Divide

    In many religious traditions, a sharp distinction exists between clergy and laity. Latter-day Saints believe unpaid clergy helps minimize this divide.

    Leaders and members are fundamentally equals. Leadership is temporary, and everyone is expected to serve at different times.

    This structure reinforces the belief that all are children of God with equal worth and responsibility.

    Addressing Concerns About Training

    One common concern is whether unpaid clergy lack training. Latter-day Saints acknowledge that leaders are not professionally trained clergy, but they believe God provides guidance through revelation, scripture, and experience.

    Leaders also receive ongoing instruction, handbooks, and support from higher church leadership.

    When professional expertise is needed, leaders encourage members to seek qualified help. The role of a bishop is spiritual guidance, not replacing doctors, therapists, or legal professionals.

    Unpaid Clergy and Quality of Care

    Another concern is whether unpaid clergy can provide adequate care given time constraints. Latter-day Saints recognize the sacrifices leaders make and emphasize shared leadership to prevent overload.

    Counselors and auxiliary leaders share responsibilities, and no one leader is expected to do everything.

    This collaborative approach helps maintain quality care.

    Unpaid Clergy and Equality

    Unpaid clergy reinforces equality within the Church. Leaders do not receive financial privileges or elevated social status.

    This equality helps prevent pride and fosters humility. Leaders are reminded that their authority exists to serve, not to elevate themselves.

    Members often express appreciation for leaders who serve quietly and return to ordinary life when their calling ends.

    Historical Development

    From its early beginnings, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints emphasized lay leadership. Early members often served while building communities, farming, and working trades.

    This tradition continued as the Church grew globally. Lay leadership allowed the Church to expand rapidly without reliance on professional clergy infrastructure.

    Global Church, Local Leadership

    As a global church, unpaid clergy allows leadership to arise from within local cultures. Leaders understand local languages, customs, and challenges.

    This local leadership fosters cultural sensitivity while maintaining doctrinal unity.

    Faith Over Convenience

    Unpaid clergy is not always convenient. Leaders sacrifice time, energy, and sometimes comfort. Members believe this sacrifice is meaningful and Christlike.

    Serving without pay reflects Jesus Christ’s example of selfless service.

    Unpaid Clergy and Agency

    Members are free to accept or decline callings. Serving is voluntary, not coerced. This preserves agency and personal choice.

    When members accept callings, they do so as an act of faith rather than obligation.

    Common Misunderstandings

    A common misunderstanding is that unpaid clergy means leadership is unimportant. Latter-day Saints believe leadership is deeply important, which is why it is treated as sacred service rather than employment.

    Another misunderstanding is that unpaid clergy leads to amateurism. Members believe divine guidance compensates for lack of professionalization.

    Some assume unpaid clergy benefits the institution at the expense of individuals. Members often testify that service blesses leaders as much as those they serve.

    Why This Belief Matters

    Having unpaid clergy matters because it shapes the culture of the Church. It emphasizes service over status, participation over passivity, and faith over financial incentive.

    It reinforces humility, equality, and reliance on God.

    For believers, unpaid clergy reflects trust that Jesus Christ can guide His Church through ordinary people willing to serve.

    A Christ-Centered Model of Leadership

    Latter-day Saints believe Jesus Christ Himself exemplified unpaid, sacrificial service. He taught without charge, healed freely, and served without seeking status.

    Unpaid clergy is seen as an effort to follow His example.

    Leadership is measured by love, sacrifice, and faithfulness rather than income.

    A Broader Christian Perspective

    Many Christian traditions value volunteer service alongside paid clergy. Latter-day Saints extend this principle to nearly all local leadership roles.

    They believe this approach strengthens discipleship and community involvement.

    An Invitation

    Latter-day Saints invite others to see unpaid clergy not as a lack, but as a deliberate expression of faith.

    They encourage sincere seekers to observe how lay leadership functions in practice and to ask questions with openness.

    They believe God honors willing service and qualifies those He calls.

    Sources

    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Gospel Topics: Church Leadership
    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org

    Church News – Lay Ministry
    https://www.thechurchnews.com

    Doctrine and Covenants Central
    https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org

    Scripture Central
    https://scripturecentral.org

  • Why Do Mormons Have Bishops?

    Why Do Mormons Have Bishops?

    When people attend a worship service of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or learn about how the Church is organized, they often hear about bishops. Members speak of meeting with “the bishop,” bishops preside over congregations, and they play a visible role in the spiritual and practical life of Church members. This naturally leads to the question: Why do Mormons have bishops?

    For Latter-day Saints, bishops exist because they believe Jesus Christ established a church led by called servants who care for both the spiritual and temporal needs of God’s people. Bishops are local leaders who guide congregations, provide pastoral care, administer ordinances, and help members live the teachings of Jesus Christ in everyday life.

    Unlike professional clergy found in many religious traditions, Latter-day Saint bishops are lay leaders. They are not paid, do not receive formal theological degrees for their role, and continue working in their regular professions while serving. This reflects a belief that church leadership is a form of service and stewardship rather than a career or position of prestige.

    Understanding why Mormons have bishops requires exploring how they understand church leadership, priesthood authority, service, community care, and the example of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd.

    The Role of a Bishop in a Local Congregation

    In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a bishop presides over a local congregation known as a ward. A ward typically consists of several hundred members living in the same geographic area.

    The bishop is responsible for overseeing worship services, ensuring doctrine is taught correctly, and helping members strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ. He works closely with other local leaders and volunteers to meet the needs of the congregation.

    While the bishop presides, he does not lead alone. Leadership is shared among many members, reinforcing the belief that the Church functions through collective service rather than centralized authority.

    Shepherd of the Congregation

    Latter-day Saints often describe a bishop as a shepherd. This image comes directly from the teachings of Jesus Christ, who referred to Himself as the Good Shepherd and taught leaders to care for the flock with love and humility.

    A bishop’s role includes watching over the spiritual well-being of members, offering guidance, encouragement, and correction when needed. This shepherding is personal and relational rather than distant or institutional.

    Personal Pastoral Care

    One of the most distinctive aspects of a bishop’s role is personal pastoral care. Members often meet privately with the bishop to seek counsel, confess sins, discuss spiritual struggles, or receive encouragement.

    These meetings are confidential and focused on helping individuals grow spiritually rather than judging or condemning them. Bishops are taught to listen with compassion, patience, and respect.

    For many members, the bishop is a trusted spiritual guide during significant life challenges such as illness, family difficulties, repentance, or major decisions.

    Bishops as Lay Leaders

    A defining characteristic of Latter-day Saint bishops is that they are lay leaders. They are not paid clergy and do not serve as full-time religious professionals.

    Bishops continue in their regular employment—whether as teachers, doctors, engineers, farmers, or in countless other professions—while serving in the Church. Their role as bishop is voluntary and temporary.

    This approach reflects several core beliefs about leadership and community.

    Callings, Not Careers

    Latter-day Saints believe bishops are called by God through inspiration rather than chosen based on ambition, education, or desire for authority. A bishop is typically called to serve for a limited period, often several years, and then returns to being a regular member without special status.

    This reinforces the idea that leadership in the Church is a calling—a responsibility entrusted for a time—rather than a lifelong position or career.

    Humility and Equality

    Because bishops are unpaid and temporary, no one is elevated permanently above others. This structure promotes humility and equality among members.

    A bishop sits among the congregation, participates as a fellow worshipper, and relies on God rather than professional training alone. This helps prevent the creation of a separate clerical class.

    Shared Responsibility

    Leadership responsibilities are shared among many members, including counselors, teachers, and auxiliary leaders. This shared model reduces hierarchy and encourages widespread participation.

    Members learn that building the Church is a collective effort rather than the responsibility of a few professionals.

    Biblical Foundations for Bishops

    Latter-day Saints believe the office of bishop has roots in the New Testament. The Bible mentions bishops as leaders in the early Christian church who were responsible for overseeing congregations and caring for both spiritual and temporal needs.

    In the New Testament, bishops are described as servants who must be blameless, patient, and devoted to teaching truth. Their role included managing church resources and ensuring the welfare of members.

    Latter-day Saints see modern bishops as a continuation of this early Christian pattern.

    Early Christian Leadership

    In early Christianity, leadership was local and personal. Bishops knew their congregations and were involved in daily concerns.

    Latter-day Saints believe modern bishops reflect this same model—leaders who live among the people they serve and understand local needs.

    Priesthood Authority and Bishops

    Another reason Latter-day Saints have bishops is their belief in priesthood authority. They believe Jesus Christ gave authority to His apostles to lead His Church and that this authority has been restored in modern times.

    Bishops hold priesthood authority that allows them to preside over a congregation, perform ordinances, and exercise spiritual stewardship.

    This authority is not seen as personal power, but as delegated responsibility to serve in Christ’s name.

    Authority as Service

    In Latter-day Saint belief, priesthood authority exists to bless others, not to control them. Bishops are taught that their authority should be exercised with persuasion, patience, kindness, and love.

    This view aligns with Jesus Christ’s teaching that those who lead should serve.

    Temporal and Welfare Responsibilities

    In addition to spiritual leadership, bishops have significant temporal responsibilities. One of the most important is overseeing welfare and assistance for members in need.

    Bishops help coordinate food, financial assistance, counseling, and other support for individuals and families facing hardship. This includes unemployment, illness, housing instability, and other challenges.

    Caring for the Needy

    Latter-day Saints believe caring for the poor and needy is a core Christian responsibility. Bishops play a central role in ensuring that assistance is provided with dignity, respect, and confidentiality.

    Rather than distributing aid impersonally, bishops work one-on-one with individuals to understand needs and encourage self-reliance alongside compassion.

    This personalized approach reflects Christ’s example of caring for individuals.

    Balancing Help and Responsibility

    While bishops provide assistance, they also encourage personal responsibility and growth. The goal is not dependence, but stability and empowerment.

    This balance between compassion and accountability is central to the bishop’s welfare role.

    Bishops and Youth Guidance

    Bishops play an especially important role in guiding youth and young adults. They meet regularly with young people to encourage spiritual development, moral decision-making, and personal growth.

    These meetings are meant to be supportive rather than intimidating. Bishops help youth navigate challenges related to faith, education, relationships, and identity.

    For many young members, the bishop is a mentor and trusted adult outside the family.

    Bishops and Community Strength

    Because bishops serve locally, they understand the unique needs and culture of their congregation. This local leadership strengthens community bonds.

    Members know their bishop personally, often through years of shared worship and service. This familiarity builds trust and accountability.

    The bishop becomes a central figure in fostering unity, cooperation, and mutual support within the ward.

    Avoiding Professional Clergy

    One question often asked is why Latter-day Saints do not have professional clergy at the local level. Their answer is rooted in belief rather than efficiency.

    They believe having lay leaders encourages spiritual growth among all members. Teaching, serving, and leading are seen as responsibilities shared by the entire community.

    This structure prevents reliance on a few experts and encourages everyone to develop faith, leadership skills, and compassion.

    Learning Through Service

    Serving as a bishop is considered a profound spiritual learning experience. Bishops often speak of how the role deepens their faith, empathy, and reliance on God.

    Because bishops are ordinary members called to extraordinary responsibility, they learn humility and dependence on divine guidance.

    This learning-through-service model applies to all members in different callings throughout the Church.

    Common Misunderstandings About Bishops

    One common misunderstanding is that bishops function like traditional clergy with professional authority and specialized training. In reality, they rely on prayer, scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit rather than formal religious education.

    Another misunderstanding is that bishops replace personal responsibility. Latter-day Saints believe each individual remains responsible for their own spiritual growth. Bishops guide and support, but do not control.

    Some assume bishops wield unchecked authority. In fact, bishops are accountable to higher Church leadership and operate within established guidelines.

    Bishops and Confidentiality

    Confidentiality is a critical aspect of a bishop’s role. Members must feel safe sharing personal concerns without fear of exposure.

    Bishops are instructed to treat all conversations with care and discretion. This trust is essential for effective pastoral care.

    Bishops as Volunteers, Not Experts

    Bishops do not claim to be experts in psychology, finance, or law. When appropriate, they encourage members to seek professional help.

    Their role is spiritual guidance, moral support, and coordination of resources—not replacing professional care.

    Why This Belief Matters

    Having bishops matters because it shapes how Latter-day Saints experience church life. Local leadership allows for personalized care, strong community bonds, and shared responsibility.

    Bishops embody Christlike leadership rooted in service rather than status. Their unpaid, temporary service reinforces humility and equality.

    For believers, bishops represent a tangible expression of how Jesus Christ leads His Church—through love, guidance, and personal care.

    A Christ-Centered Model of Leadership

    Latter-day Saints believe Jesus Christ remains the head of the Church. Bishops act under His authority and seek to reflect His teachings.

    They strive to lead as Christ led—by serving, listening, and loving.

    This model of leadership challenges cultural ideas about power and hierarchy, replacing them with stewardship and compassion.

    The Impact on Members’ Lives

    Many members testify that bishops have played a crucial role during difficult moments—helping them find hope, direction, and healing.

    Because bishops serve close to home, their influence is immediate and personal.

    A Broader Christian Context

    While the structure may differ, many Christian traditions value pastoral leadership. Latter-day Saints see their bishops as fulfilling a similar role through a distinctive model of lay service.

    They believe this approach strengthens faith, community, and accountability.

    An Invitation

    Latter-day Saints invite others to learn about bishops not as authority figures to fear, but as servants called to help.

    They encourage anyone with questions or needs to approach local leaders with trust and openness.

    They believe God works through ordinary people willing to serve in extraordinary ways.

    Sources

    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Gospel Topics: Bishops
    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org

    Church News – Role of Bishops
    https://www.thechurchnews.com

    Doctrine and Covenants Central
    https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org

    Scripture Central
    https://scripturecentral.org