news article

Four equitable compensation recommendations supported

June 5, 2019 / By Shannon Hodson

Paula Kuempel, current chair of the Commission on Equitable Compensation brought forth four recommendations to the floor of the Upper New York Annual Conference session on Wednesday, June 5.

The first recommendation can be found on page 47 of the Journal, lines 28-34.

This recommendation sets the minimum base salary levels guaranteed to pastors for the 2020 budget year. The base salary is set for the different credential levels. Any less than full-time appointments shall receive a base salary pro-rated according to the appointment. There is no change from the base salary approved for 2019.

This recommendation was supported.

The second recommendation can be found on Page 48, lines 1-6 of the Journal.

This recommendation proposes a change in the years of service increment. With this increase, the CEC reaches the goal set to have the yearly increment equal 1 percent of the minimum base compensation for each credential level for up to 25 years of full-time equivalent service. The 25-year element is already in place.

These increments are:

• Full connection (Elders & Deacons): $400
• Provisional (Elders & Deacons): $386
• Associates: $378
• Full Time Licensed Provisional with a course of study or Mdiv: $371
• Full Time Local Pastor: $357

This recommendation was supported.

The third recommendation can be found on page 48, lines 8-9 of the Journal.

This recommendation is for those clergy who are charged to more than one church. The Commission on Equitable Compensation recommends that an additional $500 for each additional church on the pastoral charge (over one), not adjusted for part-time appointments, remain in place.

No changes are being proposed to this item, but it needs to be approved annually.

This recommendation was supported.

The fourth recommendation is on page 48 of the Journal, lines 14-16.

Since the inception of the Upper New York Conference, the Commission on Equitable Compensation has encouraged churches to offer raises to their pastors that reflect increases in the cost of living. Their recommendation uses the 10-year average increase in the Consumer Price Index as the standard for determining the raises. For 2020, that increase is 1.6 percent. Churches are encouraged to consider further raises based on exceptional service.

This recommendation was supported.