Fair Pay

In many congregations there is yet one thing to do as we rush headlong toward the end of this calendar year. It is not something anybody relishes talking about or doing. Ministers are usually mum on the subject. Congregational leaders are highly uncomfortable bringing it up. The subject is “How much do we pay the pastor next year?”

Pastors in a congregational polity system are largely on their own to negotiate this with congregational leaders. In some cases there is no negotiation. The leaders make a unilateral decision about if there will be an increase for the next year and how much the increase might be.

Pastors in a connectional polity system usually have some minimum standards established at a level of oversight higher than the congregation. For part-time pastors these minimum standards are usually prorated at a level for the portion of full-time equivalency the pastor is serving. Often there is a polity requirement that the pastor’s compensation be regularly reviewed and reported to the level where the minimum standards are set.

Consider the precedent for paying ministers for their service. To do so we have to begin in the Hebrew Scriptures. In Joshua 13:33 the Levites were not apportioned the possession of land. Their function was to serve at the Tent of Meeting and later the Temple. In Numbers 18:21 and also in 2^nd Chronicles 31:4, we find that the Levites received the tithes in return for their service.

In 1^st Corinthians 9:7-15 Paul asserts the right of those who service the Lord to receive compensation for their service. Do you not know that those employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is sacrificed on the altar? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. (NRSV)

In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), at the time of the installation of a teaching elder as pastor, the congregation affirmatively answers this question, Do we promise to pay him (her) fairly and provide for his (her) welfare as he (she) works among us? (Book of Order W-4.4006b (3)) The presbytery establishes the minimum standards for what is “fair and providing for his/her welfare.” However, there are those in congregations who think the minimum standards are extravagant.

I believe I previously have observed in this blog two distinct mindsets in congregations concerning pastoral compensation. In my observation, there are those with what I call a “management” mindset which views the pastor as a hired laborer. Those with this mindset want optimum production for the lowest cost. On the other hand, there are those which what I call a “labor” mindset which sees the pastor as management, and everybody knows they are paid way too much. Both mindsets work together to suppress pastoral compensation.

As evidenced in every negotiation for compensation in the church or secular environments there are at least two different definitions of “fair pay.” “What is fair?” is a tough question to answer. I commend to pastors, sessions, committees/commissions on ministry and presbyteries as a body the 2010 study resolution adopted by the 219^th (2010) General Assembly entitled “Neither Poverty Nor Riches: Compensation, Equity, and the Unity of the Church” The resolution can be downloaded at https://www.pcusa.org/resource/neither-poverty-nor-riches/.