2009 COMPENSATION INFORMATION
NATIONAL CAPITAL PRESBYTERY
In 2006, National Capital Presbytery adopted its Compensation and Personnel Policies for Pastors and Certified Christian Educators (the Policy). The full text of the Policy is available here. However, certain elements of the Policy change annually and these changes affect terms of call. The key changes are described below as guidance to churches developing or reviewing terms of call. For further information, please contact Elder Bob Fri, a member of the Committee on Ministry, at rwfri@comcast.net.
Annual Cost of Living Adjustment. The Presbytery provides congregations with a suggested percentage increase in the financial terms of call based on the increase in cost of living. For 2009, the cost of living percentage increase is 5.3%. This increase is applied to the total of the cash salary and housing allowance. While the cost of living is a good benchmark, however, it should not be used as the sole factor. Other considerations such as experience, length of service, and ratios to other staff members might also be considered. See Section XXII.3 of the Policy for further discussion.
Equity Allowance. The Policy states that the compensation package should provide “sufficient resources whereby the pastor/certified educator may be able to own a home (not necessarily in this area) after 40 years of service”. If the minister receives a housing allowance to purchase a home, this requirement is met. Otherwise, the terms of call should include an equity allowance. The minimum equity allowance for 2009 is $4908. For further information on paying equity allowances, please consult the presbytery website and click on Documents and COM Policies.
Minimum Effective Salary. The Policy establishes a minimum effective salary for pastors/certified educators. For terms of call in calendar year 2009 (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2009), the minimums are:
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Pastors buying or renting homes; all certified Christian educators
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$61,820
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[1]For pastors living in a manse, this minimum effective salary includes a “Manse Amount” that is 30% of all the other elements of effective salary. The total effective salary on which to base Board of Pensions dues and social security offsets includes the Manse Amount.