Do I have to pay for church cleaners?

[HolySpirit08]

For as long as our church has been in existence, a few parishioners have cleaned the church once every five weeks or so. So there are five groups made up of approximately four or five women (mostly). These individuals have changed over the years for various reasons including old age, health, etc.

With lifestyles being so busy, volunteers aging, and the younger members these days having no interest whatsoever in these matters, some groups, mine included, have decided to hire cleaners and to pay out of pocket. I can’t afford to pay someone and I don’t want to make this additional financial sacrifice when I already tithe weekly, volunteer my time as a catechist, pay out of pocket for drinks and snacks for the students, and bake for coffee hours and church fundraisers. Our church also takes up a monthly collection for a maintenance fund.

I decided that I would write a check to the church for my portion of the cleaning fee so that I am able to get a tax deduction and would not contribute to the maintenance fund. It’s either/or, not both, because I feel that I (and the other cleaning groups) are being taken advantage of.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

I recommend that you share your concerns with the pastor. It is his responsibility to make certain the church is maintained, either directly or by delegating a staff member to arrange for maintenance. You might tell him that you personally are happy to continue cleaning or providing money to the maintenance fund, but that you are worried for those on the cleaning teams who might be unable to pay professionals and feel a false obligation to shift their personal service into a financial payment on top of what they already give.