news article
Recommendations for clergy compensation supported at Annual Conference
October 7, 2022 / By Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations, United Women in Faith
The Upper New York Conference Commission on Equitable Compensation supports and provides funding to churches that are unable to provide the minimum salaries as set forth by the Upper New York Conference for pastors under full-time appointment. The Rev. Rich Weihing, commission co-chair, along with Teddi Urriola, presented the commission’s 2022 report to the 13th annual meeting of the Upper New York Conference on October 6, bringing five recommendations for approval.
Its recommendations for 2023 were for a minimum base compensation, an incremental increase in pay for years of service, additional compensation when appointed to multiple charges and a cost-of-living increase and against any decrease in salary for pastors who remain at current appointments.
The board encouraged churches to offer performance raises and no less than a 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase in clergy salary.
“As of September 20, inflation is at 9 percent, and our minimum base salary for full time pastors has not been increased in our Conference since 2017,” the Rev. Weihing shared. “Our minimum base salary for pastors is the fourth lowest in the United States.”
No changes were made to the clergy housing policy or account reimbursement plans.
The commission is responsible for recommending each year the minimum compensation levels for clergy and make recommendations for clergy support. Visit the equitable compensation site to apply for salary grants.
All five recommendations were supported, and the Conference adopted the report as a whole. The report can be found on pages 15-17 in the Journal.