CLASSIS OF
2008
CLASSIS SALARY SCALE REPORT
Introduction
Base
Salary and Housing Allowance: Minister of Word and Sacrament and
Commissioned Pastors.
The recommended minimum salary scale is
intended to provide a starting point for base salary negotiations
for ordained Ministers of Word and Sacrament and Commissioned Pastors. Until last year the salary scale report
contained no recommended minimum housing allowance, with the thought being that
this would be left to local consistories and personnel committees to work out
based on local housing markets. The 2005
Salary Scale Report contained the recommendation that those churches not
providing housing allowance begin to work toward providing a full housing
allowance based on the average rental cost of a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home within a
5-mile radius of the church, plus utilities.
Several churches have elected to do this over a 5-year period to lessen
the impact of ‘budget hit’ that this would impose. The salary committee again urges all churches
to develop a plan to come into compliance with this standard.
Base
Salary Recommended Minimums
As has been emphasized in prior reports, the recommended minimums are provided to establish a starting point for salary discussion purpose. Base salary and benefits that exceed the minimums in the classis salary scale remain under the jurisdiction of each church and subject to fair and reasonable negotiations with the pastor, based on annual performance reviews. A pastor’s salary should ensure sufficient support such that financial problems do not interfere with the work to which the pastor has been called. Churches that are financially unable to meet the minimum salary scale must notify the Moderator of the Relationship Development Commission prior to establishing a salary for the following year.
For the past 10+ years the Classis Salary Scale has used the Consumer Price Index (CPI), produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, to guide recommendations for pastor salary adjustments. The figures for the 12-month period ending July 2006 indicates that the CPI rose 2.4%.
Minimum Base Salary Scale – 2008
Years
of Ordination
Geographical Area |
0-2
Years |
3-5
Years |
6-10
Years |
11+
Years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$46,045 |
$49,680 |
$51,155 |
$53,025 |
|
|
$45,390 |
$48,970 |
$50,425 |
$52,265 |
|
|
$44,740 |
$48,265 |
$49,700 |
$51,515 |
Housing Allowance
Churches are encouraged to begin building into their minister’s total compensation package a fair and equitable housing allowance. As mentioned above, the standard housing allowance throughout the RCA is the average rent of a 3-bedroom, 2-bath single family dwelling within a 5-mile radius of the church, plus utilities.
The recommended auto mileage allowance for 2008 is $.485 per mile (Federal tax limit as of this date).
Insurance
RCA medical insurance shall be provided for Ministers of Word and Sacrament and their dependents. Equivalent medical insurance coverage shall be provided for Commissioned Pastors and dependents. Group life, long term disability and long term care insurance shall be also be provided for the Ministers of Word and Sacrament and Commissioned Pastors.
Pension (RCA Annuity Program)
Payment of 11% of compensation, including housing allowance, or if a manse is provided, 11% of the base salary plus 40% shall be made for each Minister of Word and Sacrament. A minimum annual annuity payment of $5,632 is required, based on 11% of the 2006 Estimated Buying Power per Household (EBPH) which is $51,203 (up from $49.964). The same formula applies to Commissioned Pastor, however, participation in the RCA Annuity program is not mandatory.
Professional Development
Minimum one week of study leave, plus 1/52 of salary for books and course/seminar fees.
Agenda for 2007 Fall
Stated Session
Classis Report | Classis Report #2 | CMC-ARM Report | Spring 2007 Stated Session Minutes | Salary Scale for 2008 | Servant Team Minutes | CDR Report
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Updated: