This is the time of year when most congregations begin to frame their budgets for the upcoming year, in anticipation of annual meetings that will take place between now and the end of January.  Among the many items to be considered will be allocations for ministries and programs, benevolence to the Sierra Pacific Synod and the E.L.C.A., local benevolences and designated gifts to agencies and institutions, fixed costs such as mortgages and utilities, and staff salaries. 
 
It is the conversation around salaries I would like to address in this missive -- I am hoping and praying that lay leaders will pay special attention to what is offered here. 
 
As leaders in your congregation's ministry, you play a significant role in advancing the importance of just compensation for the called leaders and other staff members who serve your ministry.  That is precisely the purpose for the existence of the Synod's Compensation Guidelines, which are intended to provide helpful information for mutual ministry committees, staff support committees, church councils and ultimately congregations in decisions regarding compensation for congregational staff members.  I encourage you to examine whether your called leaders are being compensated in keeping with these guidelines, and if not, to develop a plan to bring their salaries and compensation into compliance as soon as possible.
 
In addition to financial compensation, I encourage you to ensure that vacation and continuing education time is being offered in accordance with the guidelines, along with allowances for continuing education, auto allowances and other allowances such as Social Security offsets.  I would like to suggest that enough funds be set aside to allow not only for a substantive continuing education opportunity each year, but also funds to cover the costs of the annual Professional Leadership Conference, and perhaps the Spouses/Partners of Clergy Retreat, the Rostered Women's Retreat or the Clergy/AiM/DM and Spouses Retreat.  If your congregation does not already have a sabbatical leave policy, please contact the Synod office for information on how your congregation's and your called leaders' ministries can be vitalized through sabbatical planning.

There is a wealth of information available in the guidelines document; please take the time to read and share the information with other leaders in the congregation.  You can access the link here:  Guidelines.  This can be an important part of establishing and maintaining what is hoped will be longer and longer relationships with the called leaders who serve your ministry.  It is for the benefit and blessing of your ministry -- and theirs -- that these guidelines are offered for use in your budget building process. 

 

Thank you for the leadership you are offering in your congregations and ministries.  I pray God's blessings on all you are doing to share the gift of Jesus Christ with the communities you have been called to serve - God's work, our hands.
 
Peace,
Bp. Mark