REPORT OF THE SALARY REVIEW COMMITTEE - 2006
The matter of clergy compensation is, at its heart, a matter of stewardship, of using wisely the resources we have been given to care for, support and sustain those whom God has called and provided for the oradained leadership of Christ's Church. These matters deserve our very careful attention within the Diocese of Rhode Island as we seek to carry forth Christ's mission and ministry in the midst of an increasingly complex and changing world.
In recent years, the Episcopal Church has been faced with a shortage of priests. This comes from fewer people entering the discernment and ordination process, as well a a marked increase in the average age of those being ordained (and thereby serving fewer years as active priests). In addition, during the next five to ten years, we anticipate an unprecedented percentage of Episcopal clergy reaching retirement age, thereby adding significantly to the shortage.
As we look to the future, therefore, it is important that our Diocese be well positioned to attract and support the best qualified candidates for the ordained leadership of our congregations.
The committee's work was enriched by the Church Pension Fund's annual report on clergy
compensation. The complete report with the most recent figures may be viewed on the
Church Pension Group website and proceed by typing clergy compensation in the search engine on that site.
For 2007, the Committee is recommeding to the Diocesan Council a 4% increase in recommended minimum salaries for varous size parishes and various amounts of similar service. This number was derived after discussion and in reference to compensation increases in other dioceses in Province I. We are also aware that the Social Security Administration has announced a 4.1% increase for its beneficiaries for 2007.
Lastly, we want to note that the Committee has begun a thorough look at provisions for health care and medical plans, as well as other benefits. We will make a report in 2007.
The Diocesan Council approved these recommendations in accordance with Diocesan
Canon XII, Section 4 at its meeting of December 20, 2006.
Clergy Salary Review Committee Members for 2006
The Rev. Canon Harry E. Krauss, Chair
The Rev. Christopher Epperson
The Rev. Nancy A. Willis
Ms. Elizabeth Crawley
Mr. Keith Hudson
Mr. Dennis Stark
Ms. Betsy Fornal
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