When a congregation or other setting of ministry calls an authorized minister, it enters a shared mutual ministry and a stewardship of caring for each other. Part of that caring means that the church or ministry setting has a responsibility – a covenant – to provide for the financial support of its authorized minister(s) and their family.

The purpose of the Compensation Guidelines for 2023 is to assist in establishing fair and comparable compensation for authorized ministers and in creating an environment of best practices for ministry settings throughout the Southern California Nevada Conference, United Church of Christ.  Please download, read, and share these guidelines with your Local Church leadership and begin conversations as you prepare for the coming year. 

• For Local Churches who currently have called pastors, you are invited to review the recommended Compensation Guidelines for 2023, be in prayerful discernment and conversation with your pastor, and create a plan together about faithful and just compensation.
• For Local Churches who are in the process of calling a new pastor, you are invited to review the recommended Compensation Guidelines to create the compensation package you are able to offer to prospective ministers.
  
  

We understand that implementing these guidelines may require delicate and sacred conversations in some contexts.  The Conference staff and each Association’s Committee on Ministry are available to support you and your congregation through those conversations and welcome your invitation to connect. Email the Conference Office to request a meeting with staff or to be connected to the COM in your area.

Learn More About Using the 2023 Compensation Guidelines

Have questions? Interested in learning practices for implementing these guidelines in your planning or budgeting process?  Want to learn in collaboration with others? Join Conference Staff and the Task Force for one of the following:

November 3, 4 pm Pacific: Compensation Guidelines 101 for ClergyThis meeting is for clergy who want to learn about the Compensation Guidelines and using them faithfully in their context and who desire to have conversation within a confidential clergy space.  Clergy who will receive an invitation link via email and may contact the Conference Office if they have not received one and wish to join.

November 3, 5 pm Pacific: Compensation Guidelines 101 for Clergy and Lay LeadersThis meeting is for any and all who love their Local Church and are curious to hear more about the Compensation Guidelines and using them faithfully in their context. This meeting can be accessed via this link.