PASSED: R1: Resolution on Clergy Compensation for 2010

Resolutions

Submitted by
The Commission on Ministry

Resolved, that the minimum standard of full-time pension-based compensation (cash salary, utilities, housing, and Social Security tax reimbursement) for clergy serving congregations in the Diocese of Ohio during 2010 be established as follows:

• At least $45,000 for assisting clergy ordained less than three years;
• At least $48,500 for clergy ordained less than three years, who are in charge of congregations and assisting clergy ordained more than three years;
• At least $55,000 for clergy in charge of congregations with an annual Normal Operating Income (NOI) of no more than 180,000;
• At least $55,000 + 10% of NOI greater than $180,000 up to $360,000, for clergy in charge of congregations with an annual NOI greater than $180,000;
• At least $73,000 for clergy in charge of congregations with NOI greater than $360,000; and be it further

Resolved, that in addition to the above minimum standard, it is understood that each employer of clergy in the Diocese of Ohio shall:

• Make pension assessment payments as the Church Pension Fund shall determine;
• At minimum, provide to clergy and eligible dependents full funding for the least expensive medical insurance plan offered through the diocese in the area where the clergy person resides, or an amount equivalent to cost of the least expensive plan offered through the diocese toward a more expensive option. If the parish offers medical insurance coverage directly, and not through the diocese, the benefits must equal those provided by the least expensive plan available through the diocese.
• Provide appropriate reimbursement for expenses incurred in the course of fulfilling the responsibilities of the position, including the actual cost of the use of a personal automobile;
• Allow no fewer than four weeks of paid vacation annually;
• Allow annual professional education/development leave, of no fewer than two weeks, with a minimum allowance of $750, and be it further

Resolved, that each employer of clergy in the Diocese of Ohio be encouraged to:

• Offer additional benefits either fully funded, or on a pre-tax salary reduction basis (e.g., dental insurance, reimbursement for routine dental care, annual medical examination, child-care allowance, etc.);  provide for sabbatical and parental leave; and be it finally

Resolved, that the provisions of this resolution be applied on a pro-rata basis to the minimum compensation and benefits related to positions that are less than full-time and more than one-quarter time.

Rationale

Title II, Canon 8, of the Canons of the Diocese of Ohio directs the Annual Convention to establish a minimum standard of compensation for clergy employed in the diocese. The minimum standard for 2010 proposes no adjustment from the minimums established by the 192nd Annual Convention for 2009; the provision of a new category, viz., assisting clergy ordained less than three years, is retained.

The 183rd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Ohio set a goal of raising the median clergy compensation in the diocese to the median level for the Episcopal Church as a whole. In 2006 the diocese ranked 36th of 100 dioceses in median clergy compensation. In 2006 the diocese also had, for the first time since the Commission on Ministry undertook this comparison, the highest median compensation among the contiguous dioceses of Ohio, Southern Ohio, Michigan, and Indianapolis.