Pastor's Compensation Guidelines 2008

Few among us like to talk about money—especially when it comes to how much we pay our pastoral staff. People rarely answer the call to pastoral ministry in order to become wealthy, yet the compensation package is very important to both the church and the professional pastors. Candidates for pastoral positions pay attention to the salary offered in the Employment Opportunities listing and to the history of pastoral compensation in a local church profile. The bottom line can make or break a church—literally and figuratively.

In order for a church to attract (and retain) qualified, competent, gifted, caring pastoral leadership which will enhance the spiritual life of the congregation it will have to offer more than good pot luck suppers and people in the pews. Its financial package must be attractive and offer a salary consistent with the community. There are a number of factors that pastors take into account—salary, benefits, housing, automobile allowances, professional expenses, continuing education and vacation. All of these will be described in this document.

This document is designed to be a guide for churches as they attempt to put together compensation goals for a pastor or to update a pastor’s compensation package. It is understood that each local congregation creates its package based upon the realities of its situation. While no one can dictate what an individual UCC congregation must pay its pastor(s), what is set forth here are what the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ Board of Directors believes are the appropriate compensation standards for ordained pastors in the Connecticut Conference. We trust that this booklet will provide useful data and insight to churches as they undertake the process of creating a financial package for their pastors.