A Pastor’s Salary Guide

As a pastor, you are entrusted with the sacred calling of shepherding God’s people. At GuideStone^®, we recognize the weight of that calling — and the importance of helping ensure your ministry is not only supported spiritually, but also financially.

That’s why we prayerfully developed A Pastor’s Guide: How to Advocate for Salary and Benefits to Your Church Committee, to help you navigate one of the most delicate yet essential aspects of pastoral leadership: advocating for fair compensation and benefits.

A Biblical Case for Pastoral Compensation

We know that discussing your compensation as a pastor can feel awkward. You might feel hesitant to speak up, fearing that you may appear materialistic. After all, isn’t ministry supposed to be a calling, not a job?

Ministry is indeed a calling, but it is also hard work.

Scripture is clear that those who work hard deserve a fair and honorable wage. Jesus affirms that those called to spiritual work are no exception. In the book of Luke, Jesus reminds those he sends out into the mission field that “the worker is worthy of his wages.” Luke 10:7 (CSB)

Then, even more directly, the apostle Paul clearly addresses the financial needs of pastors in his letter to the Corinthians.

If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you?... In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the Gospel should earn their living by the Gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:11-14 (CSB)

As a pastor, your church’s calling to provide for your needs is as practical as it is purposeful. When the basic necessities of you and your family are met, you are free to better serve your congregation with a posture of joy.

A Pastor’s Guide: How to Advocate for Salary and Benefits to Your Church Committee

This guide was thoughtfully created to help you navigate your benefits conversation from start to finish. It provides:

• Insight into understanding your current compensation package
• Best-practice considerations for structuring your salary, health plan and other coverages and retirement account.
• Tips on how to conduct these talks with clarity, grace and integrity, helping ensure that you maintain a healthy relationship with church leaders long after the conversations are complete.

Access the Pastor's Salary Guide

Additional Compensation Planning Resources

• Learn more and download our Compensation Planning Guide.
• Watch this short video about how to help break the cycle of below-market pay for ministers.
• Learn more about why we recommend the Salary & Benefits Approach versus a Lump Sum Package Approach for ministers.