“Parson, do you have a minute?” asked Will Watson, a pastor in his second appointment.
“Sure thing, Will,” the parson replied. “What's up?”
“I'm wondering if you could give me some advice on talking with my Pastor-Parish committee about my compensation.”
“What's the matter, Will?” the parson inquired. “You're not getting paid enough?”
“That's exactly the case, Parson.”
The parson sat down and invited Will to sit across the table from him. The parson did a quick calculation of what he estimated Will's compensation package to be.
“Why do you think you're not getting paid enough?”
“Well, Parson, I mean my function is to be the preacher, to bring the Word to the people. That's a demanding responsibility. But on top of that these folks want me to be active in community affairs, to visit everyone who goes to the hospital, to go to the nursing homes and such. Now, while I realize pastors do that, when the doing distracts from the real job, well, there should be further compensation.”
The parson stared in dismay. “Are you serious?”
“I'm as serious as can be. More responsibility should bring more compensation.”
“How much do you make, Will?” the parson asked. Will gave him the figure. “Do you have an evening service?” Will told him he didn't. “So,” said the parson as he pulled out his smartphone, “let's divide how many sermons into what you make.” The parson started to input the figures. He paused. “Are you out of the pulpit any during the year?” Will told the parson he missed two Sundays when he was on vacation. “So, let's divide that salary figure by fifty.”
The parson stared at the phone a moment. He then turned it off, placed it in his pocket and said to Will, “You're way overpaid, Will, since you don't know whom you're preaching to nor what you should be preaching.”

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