tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7773623136948763395.post863058786730433607..comments2023-07-01T14:46:02.985-05:00Comments on Skating in the Garden in High Heels under my Alb.: Other Votes at Synod AssemblyPastor Joelle Colville-Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099855286381262526noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7773623136948763395.post-24280844635573953732009-06-10T19:16:17.953-05:002009-06-10T19:16:17.953-05:00In the good ol' UMC, our "minimum salarie...In the good ol' UMC, our "minimum salaries" are actually non-negotiable requirements based on our status. If I'm an ordained elder and the minimum salary is $38K, then my church has to pay that, plus the pension et al. My annual conference (equivalent of your Synod Assembly) actually has fairly high minimum salaries (even a licensed local pastor makes at least $32K), but that's partially due to a high cost of living in parts of our annual conference.Wounded and Healinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17442707317362036427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7773623136948763395.post-24010492372170089632009-06-09T21:48:16.343-05:002009-06-09T21:48:16.343-05:00This actually raises a question of polity: *Could...This actually raises a question of polity: *Could* a synod assembly mandate a salary freeze for congregational pastors? <br /><br />The answer, of course, is no. It lacks any authority in the matter, just as it lacks the power to enforce its minimum guidelines. But it certainly could provide the cover for congregations already looking to stick it to their pastor.Father Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18170260624474428623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7773623136948763395.post-51297227887153689242009-06-08T14:43:47.589-05:002009-06-08T14:43:47.589-05:00I've always figured that if the church council...I've always figured that if the church council were 10 people, and is a cross section of the congregation and if each of those people are thithing, then 1/10th of each tithe could be added together to make up the pastor's salary.<br />Of course, that is unwieldly and not realistic. But it would mean that the pastor is paid like the people he/she serves live.<br /><br />But these days, the pastor might be one of the few in the congregation with a half-way decent pension plan and health plan, the way things are going with benefits. We do have to remember that the benefit package is a big part of the picture.<br /><br />Last year our pastor didn't get a raise and my husband was going to complain about that at the annual meeting, but, wisely, he talked to the council president before the meeting. The Pres said that the pastor had requested that the staff receive raises even if she didn't get a raise.LoieJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01977264499770654307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7773623136948763395.post-72196018262211877062009-06-08T12:58:36.286-05:002009-06-08T12:58:36.286-05:00Someone in NW Wisconsin proposed that the synod re...Someone in NW Wisconsin proposed that the synod recommend that all pastors have a salary freeze going into next year since the synod budget froze the salaries of the bishop and his assistants. It was headed to defeat until confusion led to the matter being ruled out of order on parliamentary process grounds (which was a good thing, IMO).<br /><br />I've always though that the guidelines should be mandatory, and those congregations that really can't afford them should have the rest subsidized by the church at large.Mark C. Christiansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02819932966315054909noreply@blogger.com