Considering Fringe Benefits

by Keith
(Tennessee)

The church that I have served in for the past 8 1/2 years has a yearly accrual system for accumulating vacation days.

For example, those who have served less than 3 years get 2 weeks off, 3-10 years experience earns 3 weeks off, and 10+ years earns 4 weeks off.

However, there is an exclusion when accounting for experience in that it only applies to those who have been full time ministers or to those who have been part time ministers while attending seminary.

Should churches deny a minister credit for time served in a bivocational role when considering fringe benefits (such as vacations) that are set up on an accrual system?

Having had many years of part time service in ministry while maintaining a job as a public school teacher, I was just wondering if this is a normal policy in most churches of 400+ members.

I can't help but think that the ministry service provided by those who are bivocational is no less valuable than those who were part time and in seminary or even those in full time ministry.
Would you comment on what you have seen in these situations in other churches?
Thanks!