From the Conference Minister: Clergy Compensation for 2019
Conference Compensation Guidelines for 2019 were presented by the Conference Personnel Team to the Conference Consistory who approved them at their July meeting. The guidelines call for a 3% salary increase for pastoral staff. Serious thought should also be given to a commensurate increase for support staff.
As these guidelines always do, the discernment and decision process resulted in considerable discussion. The Personnel Team and Consistory were mindful of the need to balance church resources with honest assessments of the faithful and effective work of their authorized ministers. To that end, they encourage congregations "...to take into consideration additional factors unique to each setting, including annual performance reviews, additional advanced degrees, specialized training, and other measures of faithful and effective ministry (see for example the UCC Marks for Faithful and Effective Ministry)."
It is a challenge to anticipate projected costs for the coming year in advance of the release of standard economic indicators. We know, however, that church governing boards across our conference will begin making budget preparations for the coming year very soon. We are charged with the responsibility of being stewards not only of our finances but also of the people we serve in the people who serve us. We share this information so that you might make your decisions with the best available information and some insight to balance the multitude of responsibilities along the way to building up the Body of Christ.
With prayers for your faithful witness,
Rev. William Worley
Conference Minister
