Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1919-11-27

While the salaries paid the minis
tiers of Baptist, as well as other
churches in the South, have been far
too small in the past to enable them
to lay aside competency for old age,
a long step in remedying this situation
Is promised in the Baptist rs Million
Campaign, which proposes to raise
$4,000, 900 for the relief of aged minis
ters during the next five years, and
then bring this sum up to 100000
during the two years Immediately fol-
lowing the campaign.
Looking to the adequate care of hun,
dreds of aged Baptist ministers and
ministers widows in the ranks of the
Southern Baptist Convention who are
now in need of financial assistance,
this body, at a recent session, author
ICED the creation of the Relief and
Annuity Board at Dallas, Texas, with
DR.. William Lunsford as correspond.
ing secretary.
Heretofore the average annual sal
airy of Baptist ministers in the South
has been less than $500, meaning that
a large number of preachers received
considerably less than that sum, max,
ing il necessary that they engage in
other occupations during the week in
order to support themselves and their |
families, and rendering 1t practically |
impossible for them to lay aside any |
money as a support for their old age.
The establishment of the Relief and
Annuity Board and the decision y
raise $6,000000 during the next seven
years for the relief of the aged minis,
ters already in need of assistance and
the more adequate care of the men
who hereafter give their lives to the
Christian ministry without an oppor
them through sickness or care for
them In their declining days, has met
with cordial reception at the hands
of Southern Baptists and it is be-
lisved the provision of better treat,
ment for the ministers in their retire.
ment will not only tend to cause young
men to look with greater favor upon
the ministry as life work. but will
bring the members of local congrega,
tons generally to see the need of pay,
Ing pastors more adequate salaries be-
tore these pastors become old and
helpless.
BY the addition Of an annuity feat,
are it Is possible for retired ministers
70 receive an annuity OF $500 after
!. ey have reached the age of IS, and
provided they have been in the minis
.ry for thirty years. II they have
served less than 80 years the annuity
O reduced by a certain proportion.
70 participate in this annuity min
ster must make monthly, quarterly
,r annual payments sufficient to bring
n an income OF 500 per year when In,
,ested, on the principle of regular life
insurance, while this is supplemented
y $500 provided by the denomination.
| minister's participation in the an
Iuity fund is in addition to his claims
pom the relief fund,
II the minister is disabled at any
ime after joining the annuity fund
q will receive certain annuity
throughout the period of disability II
. dies his widow will receive an an.
nifty OF so per cent of what would
ave gone to her husband as long as
he lives, and should the widow die
or annuity will be divided among
linor children until they become self.
.pportinE, marry or reach the age
81.
The board HAS received an endow.
lent OF 100000 from the Baptist Sun
.y School Board at Nashville not in
uded In the rs Million Campaign
ad this sum will be divided equally
,tween the relief and annuity depart.
ents. This enables the board to be-
n work Immediately and assistance