How much do missionaries make?

[spyfire27]

I met a Korean Christian missionary recently and I have became interested in their situation. She really seems to be pinching every penny, collecting every receipts as lottery tickets, and has a lot of other habits that make me guess that she has a rough time. She told me she gets some contribution for her housing, so she does not pay much for that. She does not subscribe to National Health Insurance, and the reason she told me is that "God protects me everyday," but the truth is that it costs around 1000$ every month for an ARC holder to subscribe.

[tomthorne]

It depends upon their position.

[StuartCa]

It depends upon their position.

nice

[grandfeller]

I'm sure it depends on the organization and the nature of the job, or calling, as many missionaries would describe it.

The Mormon missionaries you see riding around on bicycles generally pay their own way. From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missionary_(LDS_Church)

Mormon missionaries serve voluntarily, not receiving any salary from the church for their work, typically supporting themselves financially or through assistance from family. Many young Mormons save money during their teenage years to afford missionary expenses.

[formosaobama]

It depends upon their position.

nice

I just got that.

[thirdstring]

Yeah, it's going to be hard to put a specific number to it. Our pastor's family here is fully supported financially by people back in the US, and though they live comfortably, they're not eating at Western restaurants that often. On the other hand, another missionary family of 3 came over, and the husband will be working to pay most of the bills. I think he is getting about NT$30,000 or so from the States a month.

[Ex Animo]

It depends upon their position.

As one is prone.

[Zla'od]

Well, the Mormons pay their own way (perhaps with a little help from their relatives). At the other extreme, the Taipei International Church provides its ministers (who are invariably imported from the USA) with housing, a very generous salary, and membership in the American Club.

[SRS]

My wife and I are missionaries here in Taiwan. We are given a modest apartment to live in which means kitchen, bedroom and bath. They set us up with the necessary items needed such as fridge, stove, washer, dryer and AC. We live with two other missionaries and thus our organization gives us a certain amount to pay for monthly expenses such as utilities, food, and other miscellaneous. We are given a small stipend for personal expenses (about 3000 NT$ per person) Anything else comes from any personal savings you have or somone who may giving you some support. I might add that the government is very strict as far as a missionary doing any other type of work here to support yourself as you are on a missionary visa. We need to file a tax return on our income although we do not have to pay taxes.