On the Way of Jesus — Together
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit…
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…
For just as the body is one and has many members…so it is with Christ.”
—1 Corinthians 12:4–7, 12
November 2026
Grace and peace to you in Christ.
Across the Sierra Pacific Synod, we are on the way of Jesus – together. We do so as a community of communities, shaped by the Spirit’s gifts and called into shared ministry for the sake of the gospel.
These Compensation Guidelines are offered in that spirit as a resource to support faithful, thoughtful, and equitable decisions about how we care for those who serve in ministry.
At their heart, these guidelines are about relationships.
They are meant to assist congregational leaders and ministry staff as you pray, plan, and enter into honest conversation about compensation, benefits, expectations, and shared responsibility. They provide a framework for addressing practical matters such as salary, housing, benefits, and current legal considerations, while also grounding those decisions in our shared calling.
We recognize that no single set of guidelines can fully account for the diversity of our congregations. Context matters. Resources vary. Ministry settings differ widely. These guidelines are therefore a starting point, not a conclusion.
At the same time, we hold a shared commitment across this synod: that those who are called to serve should be supported in ways that are just, sustainable, and life-giving.
Rostered ministers bring education, experience, and deep vocational commitment to their work. They carry significant responsibility in leading, equipping, and accompanying the people of God. Their compensation should reflect that reality, enabling them to meet their own needs and those of their households, and to serve with integrity and freedom.
This work belongs to both the congregation and the leader.
Each year, as part of the budgeting process, congregational councils are encouraged to review compensation, benefits, and ministry responsibilities in partnership with their rostered leader(s). This review should be grounded in clarity, mutual respect, and shared purpose. Congregations are invited to articulate their hopes and priorities for ministry. Rostered leaders are invited to name their needs, boundaries, and expectations for sustainable service.
Beyond annual review, we encourage ongoing practices of mutual evaluation, accountability, and support. Healthy ministry relationships are not static. They grow, adapt, and deepen over time.
While this document focuses on rostered leaders, the principles it reflects extend to all who serve in the church. Musicians, administrators, educators, custodians, and other staff members are also partners in ministry. They, too, deserve clear expectations, fair compensation, and respectful, ongoing conversation.
No document can answer every question. Rather, we commend to you the continued use of the churchwide resource, Definitions of Compensation, Benefits, and Responsibilities for Ministers of Word and Sacrament Under Call, as a companion to this guide and as a tool for deeper discernment.
We offer these guidelines to you in a spirit of trust and shared commitment, trusting that God—who calls, equips, and sends—will continue to guide your work together for the sake of the gospel.
+ Jeff
The Rev. Jeff R. Johnson, Bishop
Sierra Pacific Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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