Curtis D. Sharp
Executive Officer for Denominational and Public Relations
214-720-2127
Curt.Sharp@GuideStone.orgSouthern Baptist pastors see pay match inflation; more doing without health insurance
July 19, 2010
DALLAS — Pastors’ salaries kept pace with a very low inflation rate from 2008 through 2010, but fewer are receiving even partially subsidized health insurance benefits from their churches.
The findings come from the biannual SBC Church Compensation Survey, a joint effort among GuideStone Financial Resources, LifeWay Research and Baptist state conventions. The voluntary survey, conducted between January and June 2010, surveyed 11,674 staff positions nationwide.
Adjusted for church size, the average Southern Baptist senior pastor’s compensation, which includes salary and housing allowance, rose 0.78% between 2008 and 2010 — just above the 0.67% inflation rate over the same period, according to the SBC Church Compensation Study.
The news was not quite as good on the topic of medical insurance, as only 61% of Southern Baptist pastors receive partially or fully paid health insurance benefits from their churches. In 2008, the survey showed 65% did.
Among other findings:
- Compensation for full-time ministers, other than the senior pastor, increased 3.08% between 2008 and 2010. The study notes that because many churches have only one full-time staff member — the senior pastor — and the smaller number of multi-staff churches were able to provide larger raises.
- In addition to medical insurance, 26% of Southern Baptist pastors had church-paid (either partial or full) dental insurance, 11% had vision insurance, 34% had life and/or accident insurance and 28% had disability insurance.
Bob Henry, director of relationship services at GuideStone Financial Resources, said that the SBC Church Compensation Survey is a tangible example of GuideStone’s commitment to pastors and their churches.
“This survey is used by finance, personnel and other church committees to determine fair and equitable compensation for their ministerial and non-ministerial staff members,” Henry explained. “The survey, when coupled with GuideStone’s church budgeting materials, can assist churches in being good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to them.”
To view the full study, visit LifeWay Christian Resources’ website.
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.
Word Version: Southern Baptist pastors see pay match inflation; more doing without health insurance