Compensation
2010 Compensation Guidelines
"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,' and ‘The worker deserves his wages.'" I Timothy 5:17-18
Welcome! This compensation guideline manual is provided by the synod to assist congregations in establishing a fair and equitable compensation package for the rostered leaders who serve in their church. Although pastors and other rostered church workers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America understand their work as a call from God and a mandate to serve, it is also expected to be their livelihood.
While rostered leaders in the ELCA do not generally expect to afford a lavish lifestyle, they are neither asked nor expected to take a vow of poverty. It should be the goal of congregations to provide compensation to their pastor commensurate to similar professionals with graduate school preparation in their community. Compensation for other rostered leaders should equally reflect the level of education, skill and responsibility required for the performance of their duties.
As rostered leaders are expected to care for members of the church, part of the ministry of the laity includes care for the needs of the pastor and other rostered leaders who serve. It is recommended that the Mutual Ministry Committee, or another designated group responsible for care for the congregation and the rostered leaders, make recommendations for the annual adjustment of compensation packages to the finance committee and congregational council.
This manual attempts to be a resource to assist congregations and rostered leaders in conducting an annual review and determining a compensation package; pension and other benefits; agreements relative to time off for continuing education, vacation, holidays, and sick leave; and appropriate reimbursement for professional expenses. We also hope this manual will assist congregations in their budget planning process, and in the process of annually reviewing mission and ministry goals
