“Proper Support” Defined
Proper support of a church’s minister is to include an adequate salary, medical insurance, a housing provision, payment to the denomination’s ministers’ pension plan, a continuing education stipend, and other employment-related items.
(Acts of Synod 2004, p. 611)
Guidelines for Churches Whose Ministers Receive Salary Support from Other Employment
1. The church is responsible for a total compensation package
proportionate to the time spent in ministry to the church
(forty-eight hours equals full time). The compensation package
shall ordinarily be based on synodically stated minimum salary,
fringe bene ts, and housing costs.
2. Since the compensation package includes a percentage allowance
for health insurance, the minister is expected to secure adequate
health insurance for the minister and the minister’s family.
3. The value of the parsonage provided by the congregation may be
used for part or all of the compensation package.
4. The minister shall receive pension credits in the Ministers’
Pension Fund proportionate to the percentage of time devoted to
the duties of the church. Eligibility for full pension credit may
be secured if full contribution to the Ministers’ Pension Plan is
made.
5. The nature and amount of time of the task(s) other than
ministry shall be specified. The average amount of time expended
upon the total of the ministerial and nonministerial tasks shall
not exceed sixty hours per week.
(Acts of Synod 1987, p. 572)