2008 SBC compensation study results now available
August 18, 2008
DALLAS — The average Southern Baptist pastor’s pay increases over the past two years came close to being negated by the effects of inflation. And a recent study indicates churches may have an even more difficult time keeping their staff members ahead of inflation’s bite in 2008.
Adjusted for church size, the average Southern Baptist senior pastor’s compensation, which includes salary and housing allowance, rose 7.26% between 2006 and 2008 — just above the 7.01% inflation rate over the same period, according to the SBC Church Compensation Study. The biannual survey is a joint project among GuideStone Financial Resources, LifeWay Research and state Baptist conventions.
“The SBC Church Compensation Study is an important resource for churches to use as they seek to determine appropriate salaries for their staff members," GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins said. “Our prayer is that churches will use it both as they seek to hire new staff, but also as they retain existing staff to ensure their compensation is competitive with other churches and within their communities.”
Among other findings:
- Compensation for full-time ministers, other than the senior pastor, increased 12.24% between 2006 and 2008.
- Compensation for full-time office personnel and custodial staff increased by 9.55% and 9.22% respectively.
- Southern Baptist churches partially or fully pay for their senior pastor’s medical insurance 65% of the time. Research also showed 38% of pastors have life or accident insurance partially or fully paid by the church, 32% have disability coverage, 27% have dental insurance and 12% have vision insurance.
To view the full study, visit LifeWay Christian Resources’ Web site.
Churches, personnel and finance committees and staff members who would like more information related to retirement, life, health and disability benefits can contact GuideStone at 1-888-98-GUIDE (1-888-984-8433). GuideStone makes available the Planning Financial Support Workbook to help ministers and churches in determining an appropriate salary structure.