Recommendation from Equitable Compensation, Commission on (CEC

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The mission of the Commission on Equitable Compensation is to help struggling local churches regain sound financial footing, so they can build leadership capacity, make disciples, and transform the world. The Commission on Equitable Compensation administers funds used to support clergy salaries for churches with pastors appointed full time where those churches are temporarily unable to meet minimum compensation standards.

It is our policy to support churches that demonstrate the potential for moving back to full self-funding. The Commission on Equitable Compensation works with the Bishop’s Cabinet to encourage right–sizing appointments and other local church staffing, in order to prevent the need for Conference support. In the spring of 2020, we were able to provide support for seven churches totaling $28,000; in the fall of 2020, the support was for seven churches for $25,000. The spring of 2021 was for five churches for $17,500. In these three periods, there were 11 churches that were helped. Each of these churches is participating in the Vital Signs Dashboard program. In addition, in 2020, $50,251 was given for Missional Grants, $1,900 for Sustentation Grants and $15,000 for Appointment Grants.

We are responsible for bringing to the Annual Conference Session, recommendations with respect to the Minimum Compensation Base, the increment for years of service, and any other measures that would ensure that our clergy are fairly supported in their work.

This year we bring three recommendations for approval – all remain unchanged from 2020: The Minimum Base Compensation, the increment amount for years of service, and the amount for a multiple pastoral charge.

Minimum Base Compensation

1. We recommend for 2022 that the standardized minimum base compensation that was established for the Upper New York Annual Conference effective Jan. 1, 2017 stay the same. Those minimum base salaries are set according to credential level, for all full-time clergy persons as noted below: (No

Changes)

Base

Full connection (elders & deacons): $39,984

Provisional (elders & deacons):

$38,556 Associate: $37,842 FT Local Pastor completed Course of Study or MDiv: $37,128 FT Local Pastor: $35,700

(Less than full-time appointments shall receive a base salary pro-rated according to the appointment.)

2. We recommend for 2022 that the yearly increment amount that was established for the Upper New

York Annual Conference effective Jan. 2020 stay the same. The yearly increment is equal to 1% of the minimum base compensation for each credential level for up to 25 years of full-time equivalent service. (No Changes)

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Increment

Full connection (elders & deacons): $400

Provisional (elders & deacons):

$386 Associate: $378 FT Local Pastor completed Course of Study or MDiv: $371 FT Local Pastor: $357

These increments are based on full-time employment years for service up to 25 years.

3. We recommend that an additional $500 for each additional church on the pastoral charge (over one), not adjusted for part-time appointments remain in place. (Unchanged)

4. We recommend that no pastor’s salary can be decreased as a result of this policy, as long as they retain their current appointment. (Unchanged)

5. All churches are encouraged to offer a salary increase of no less than the 10-year average increase in the Consumer Price Index in order to account for increases in the costs of living. Churches are encouraged to consider further raises based on exceptional service.

There are no changes to the Clergy Housing Policy for 2022.

There are no changes to the Accountable Reimbursement Plan policy for 2022.

The Commission currently has other matters under consideration and will report them as appropriate at the 2021 Upper New York Conference.

The members of the Commission on Equitable Compensation for 2020-2021 are: Paula Kuempel (Chair), Penny Brink, De Dunn, Jefferson Niles, Mitchel Smith, Marthalyn Sweet, Teddi Urriola, Rich Weihing and Ex Officio Members: Bob Flask, William Gottschalk-Fielding, Susan Latessa; Cabinet Representative: Abel Roy, and Conference Staff Support: Tracy Rickett.