Standing Commission on
Clergy Compensation
Report to Convention 2008
THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CLERGY COMPENSATION
SECTION 1 - Resolutions
RESOLUTION I: MANDATED MINIMUM CASH SALARY
RESOLVED, that the 134th Convention of the Diocese of Newark adopt the following minimum salary rates, effective
January 1, 2009:
Minimum Salaries
Transitional Deacon $ 30,300
Assisting Priest $ 32,250
Priest-in-charge $ 40,400
Supporting Information:
The Diocese of Newark has adopted a system of salary administration for clergy that includes minimum salary levels
for all full-time clergy serving parishes or missions in the Diocese. Each year, the Commission reviews the salary
levels and makes recommendations to Convention for appropriate changes. A history of the last ten years follows:
Deacon * Assisting Priest Priest-in-charge
Effective 1/1/1999 22,000 23,450 29,300
Effective 1/1/2000 22,550 24,040 30,040
Effective 1/1/2001 23,000 24,550 30,650
Effective 1/1/2002 23,700 25,300 31,600
Effective 1/1/2003 24,650 26,300 32,850
Effective 1/1/2004 25,400 27,100 33,850
Effective 1/1/2005 26,200 27,950 34,900
Effective 1/1/2006 27,000 28,800 36,000
Effective 1/1/2007 28,000 29,800 37,300
Effective 1/1/2008 29,400 31,300 39,200
Proposed 1/1/2009 30,300 32,250 40,400
*All references to Deacon in this report are to Transitional Deacon not Vocational Deacon.
It is the goal of our commission to increase salaries so we can continue to attract the brightest and best clergy.
We are recommending a three percent increase in the minimum salary rates.
RESOLUTION II: RECOMMENDED MERIT INCREASE SCALE
RESOLVED, That the 134th Convention of the Diocese of Newark recommend the following scale, effective January
1, 2009, for annual merit increases in salaries paid to clergy in the Diocese:
Merit Increase Scale
Outstanding 7.0%
Very Good 5.0%
Satisfactory 3.0%
Supporting Information:
The Diocese of Newark recommends an annual mutual ministry review to review of goals and performance for clergy,
wardens and vestries or executive committees. Clergy salary should be increased on merit based on this review in
accordance with the merit increase scale. A true merit increase would exceed the rate of inflation, reflecting
the notion that the meritorious performer should be recognized and not merely "kept even" with the economy.
We understand not every mission or parish can give the recommended increases even if the priest is outstanding.
We hope that the priest and vestry will engage in a discussion related to the increase.
RESOLUTION III: MINIMUM SUPPLY CLERGY RATE
RESOLVED, That the 134th Convention of the Diocese of Newark establishes a minimum standard for remuneration
to supply clergy at a fixed rate per worship service plus the IRS approved mileage rate for travel to and from
the church. The IRS mileage rate for 2008 is 50.5 cents per mile. Remuneration standards shall be as follows:
Sunday services: $ 200 for one service plus $100 for each
additional service.
Weekday service: $100 per service, without sermon.
And be it FURTHER RESOLVED that, for those supply clergy who so desire, this remuneration be declared eligible
for the clergy housing allowance exclusion by the passage by the vestry of a resolution so designating.
This change will be effective immediately.
Supporting Information:
These rates for compensating supply clergy should be considered minimum rates not maximum rates.
This remuneration can be eligible for the clergy housing allowance exclusion. The Commission can supply sample
language for such a resolution, which must be passed by the vestry (or executive committee) prior to the payment
for services.
In any year in which the total payments to any one individual exceed $600, a 1099 tax form must be provided at
the end of the year, a copy of which is filed with the IRS. Pension assessments are due for any non-retired cleric
who is paid $200 a month or more for three consecutive months.
The summary sections for Clergy Compensation Policies, Determining Part Time Compensation,
Establishing a Housing Allowance, the Health and Dental Insurance Rates and the Minimum Cost of Full Time Clergy
are on the PDF version of the report:
http://www.dioceseofnewark.org/convention/clergycompensation.pdf
Submitted by the Standing Commission on Clergy Compensation:
Carlotta Budd, Esq., Chair 973-822-3778 cmb@buddlaw.com
The Rev. Lauren Ackland 973-377-0106 lackland@gracemadison.org
Ms. Patty Bradley 201-986-0609 Pabradley@aol.com
Ms. Edith Gallimore 201-434-6501 ediegal@msn.com
The Rev. Denise Haines 973-430-9915 dhaines@dioceseofnewark.org
Mr. William Kirk 201-652-5597 bkirk99@hotmail.com
Ms. Patti Neil Patti.Neil@morganstanley.com
Mr. John Snyder 201-560-0626 johnsnyder1951@msn.com