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I work for a church and am familiar with its budget/budgeting process. Our church is happy when we end the year ever so slightly in the black/breaking even. Our budget is put together before the fiscal year begins, and reflects 1) various sources of funding that are steady, 2) anticipated donations from congregants (tithes) and 3) anticipated collections corresponding with expected expenses: staffing (clergy, choir director, accompanist(s), office workers, janitorial staff, childcare staff, additional lay ministry workers, etc), capital expenses, ministry expenses, and more. The church is also expected to contribute to mission work.
Sometimes, at the end of the year, the economic picture looks bleak, and the church will send out a request for donations to its congregants. However, the annual church conference and Consecration Sunday happen around this time so people generally aren't surprised by these letters; at my church, Consecration Sunday is an event where the church thanks congregants for their tithes, and the letters serve as a reminder to those who have not yet sent in their tithe. Tithing is really really important to keep a church running. We could not offer the ministry that we do if we did not have the support of our congregation and its tithes.
Also, having seen what the clergy at my church are paid, I think they are incredibly underpaid for the level of education they possess and for how much work they put into the job. Our assistant pastor, who holds a Master's degree, makes less than a first-year teacher in this state with a Bachelor's degree. This pastor also puts endless hours of work into the ministry, and when it comes down to it, probably makes less than minimum wage for the hours put in.
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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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