The Favor: One "favor" Created a Stream of Income for This Pastor for 20 Years

A Familiar Beginning

 I remember the moment very well.  I was new in the ministry.  Cindy and I had taken our first “full-time” church.  We had been in a “part-time” youth ministry position and she had worked retail and I worked as a courier in Dallas while attending seminary.  After moving to our new “full-time” church, I became a part time student in my last year of seminary.  Of course, Cindy quit her job which was too far away, and we relied solely on our income from the church.  That’s the way it should be, right? 

  After a year of serving “full-time” and finishing up an expensive year of seminary, I went to the annual “prepare the budget” meeting where the Stewardship Committee put together the budget for the next church year.  As custom dictated, I left the room while the team discussed my salary behind closed doors.  The Stewardship Committee felt that they could not offer me a raise.  One of the deacons made the comment that since the church could not offer me a raise, perhaps I should “hang out my shingle” and try to preach revivals, or perform weddings.  I guess that’s when I had a moment of enlightenment, one of many through the ensuing years, that the church was a ministry, but it was not necessarily my only means of income and I must not view it that way.  The church was not going to assume full responsibility for my financial well-being or the financial needs of my family.  That was my responsibility. 

 I took that new insight to heart.  Although I did not begin doing a lot of weddings right away, I did preach revivals, and pursued other opportunities.  Let me also be quick to add that I did not neglect my church responsibilities.  While I served there, the church tripled in attendance, completed three building programs, built a retreat center, quadrupled its annual income, and eventually did significantly increase our salary. 

 Most ministers are well trained and educated, have good people skills, genuinely care about people, want to help others, but are terribly underpaid.  Even the great Apostle Paul made tents on the side.  If you depend entirely on your church to pay the bills, you may find yourself in a position where your family suffers the consequences.

 The Favor

 A Music Minister in a nearby town that I had became friends with called me one day and asked me if I could help him out.  Actually, he was doing me the “Favor.”  He occasionally performed weddings at a little Wedding Cottage in a nearby city.  His name was on a list and they would call him when they had someone from a Baptist background who was getting married.  He would routinely make an extra $75 or $100 over the weekend for just a few hours of his time.  (This was back in the late 80’s.)  That meant a lot to me at that time.  I quickly said “Yes!”  I did not realize then the difference saying “yes” in that moment would make for me. 

 Using some of the secrets that he showed me and then adding a few that I developed on my own I was able to consistently make an extra $3,000 - $5,000 per year based on my own schedule and desire.  I was able to meet hundreds of people, increase my experience and reputation, and work with other professionals.  I also passed this “favor” on to my Associate Pastor in Texas to this profitable side business which benefited him and his family considerably.  He still benefits from it today.  When I moved to Arizona to plant a church, I followed the same process and found the same results.    This simple systematic process will work anywhere for anyone.  I know I can help you, too.

 I know the difference that even an extra $200-$500 per month can make for a minister’s family in terms of quality of life.  It can mean the difference between living in a rented house, or owning a home.  It can mean taking your family out to dinner regularly.  It can mean a nice anniversary present for your wife.  It can mean a car payment or a seminary degree.  It can mean saving up for a family vacation to Disneyland.  It can mean going to a ministry conference or just hearing someone else talk about it. 

 It really is possible for you to make an extra $3,000 -$10,000 per year doing what you have already been trained to do without violating your convictions.  I am writing this because I want to help others by sharing some of the things that I have learned.  I want to pass on “the favor.”  This is not a “get-rich-scheme.”  You will not use these techniques to become a millionaire.  But, there is a multi-million dollar market in our country today, and ministers have a valuable commodity that people really need.  It will help your family and allow you to meet some great people in the process.

 I have shared this step-by-step process for beginning your own profitable side business, with dozens of other ministers.  I have helped them “hang out their shingle.”  Since you are already a licensed or ordained minister, you won’t have to go through the procedures of setting up a business name or incorporating.  The government already views ministers as “self-employed.”  You will just need to keep records of your income and expenses which you already do anyway.  All it will take is a little time and a minimal amount of effort.  With virtually no investment on your part, anyone can make back your entire investment and more in your very first appointment, guaranteed, if you will follow these simple steps.  My initial investment in this industry was the time and the gas it cost me to drive 35 miles round trip.

 Another “favor” I have passed on to several of my “ministry friends” is a “pre-marriage counseling outline that I have used for years in counseling couples.  I have designed a way to give it away in a massive way because I think it will help ministers prepare people for marriage.  Feel free to pick up a copy for yourself when you stop by my site.

 People who have dedicated themselves to ministry need to help each other.  When one finds a helpful idea, he or she is really obligated to pass it on.  So, why not pass on “the favor” to someone today, like it was passed on to me and like I am passing it on to you.  You may be the difference someone has been praying for.

 By the way, even though there is a minimal cost involved in this to cover its the development and maintenance, I will show you a way that 90% of ministers can get this for free.  Those who choose to become “affiliates” can actually profit from passing “the favor” on to others.

 I am trying to help ministers get connected in this and other ways to create new streams of income for their families.  Frankly, I am tired of seeing pastors and other ministry staff members who are struggling to make ends meet.  I know we can partner together to come up with some incredible ways of helping each other in this important area of life.  The Minister's Income Toolkit e-zine also comes with my own personal support.  You may contact me by email or phone for help or suggestions.  I have a busy schedule just like you.  I don't make that offer lightly.  When you stop by the site you should be sure to pick up a free copy of “Acres of Diamonds” by the world famous adventurer, pastor, and founder of Temple University, Russell Conwell.  We could all learn a few lessons from this ministry giant.  He has passed on a “favor” to us all. 

 By the way, thanks, Jim, for passing “the favor” on to me.  I can never thank you enough for the difference it has made to me and to my family.  See you in Heaven.

 Dr. Kelly Carr

 www.WeddingIncome.com

www.WeddingVowKit.com