NORTHEASTERN OHIO SYNOD 1890 Bai ley Road

Cuyahoga Fal ls, Ohio 44221-5259

330-929-9022 FAX 330-929-9018

E-MAIL office@neos-elca.org

www.neos-elca.org

UNIFIED MAILING

October 13, 2016 Volume 29 — Issue 5

Published 6 Times a Year

Next Unified Mailing: November 17 Deadline for articles: November 7

Ongoing Impact of the Reformation on Christian Unity: Lutheran-Catholic Covenant Celebration 2016. Mark your calendars for the Lutheran-Catholic Covenant Celebration, October 23, 2016, a day of study and prayer with Bishop George V. Murry SJ and Bishop Abraham Allende, at Zion Lutheran Church, Canton. This Celebration begins the local observance of the Lutheran-Catholic Common Commemoration of the Reformation in 2017. The Celebration opens with registration from 2:00-2:30 p.m. and concludes at 6:30 p.m. followed by an optional supper prepaid with registration. The Reverend John Crossin OSFS, Executive Director, Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, United States Council of Catholic Bishops, and Doctor Donald L Huber, Professor Emeritus, Church History, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, are guest speakers. Registration information will be available on the Lutheran-Catholic Covenant website, www.lccovenant.weebly.com. The 31st Annual Festival Celebration of the Reformation will take place on Sunday, October 30, at 7:00 pm at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Alliance. Guest preacher will be the Rev. Hank Langknecht, Professor of Homilectics and Christian Communications at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio. This annual celebration of the Reformation is a ministry of the seven congregations of the Eastern Cluster of the Canton-Massillon Conference. St Paul’s is located at 3295 S Union Ave (St. Rte. 183), one mile south of State St. (US 62) at the second light. Look for more information in this month’s issue of the Unified Mailing or on the synod website, www.neos-elca.org. For questions please contact Pastor Jim Metzger at 330-823-8384.

In This Issue Cover Page Bishop’s Newsletter Positions Available Northeastern Ohio Synod News Northeastern Ohio Synod Calendar/Staff Visits Inserts: Invitation to 31st Annual Festival Celebration of the Reformation / Invitation to Fall Bishop’s Gatherings Pulpit Supply List (updated & expanded) Resource Center Communications Committee: The Parish Paper September & October issues

Please remember to let the Synod office know if your Unified job postings, equipment offers or requests, etc., have been filled!

Unified Newsletter Changes. To manage resources more effectively, we are moving to an all-electronic version of the Unified newsletter, beginning with the January 2017 issue. If you would like to continue receiving the newsletter in paper format, please call or email the Synod office before January 2017 to let us know. We will continue to publish the Unified six times/year; submission deadlines will be announced in each issue. The new e-Unified will be sent to all email subscribers, and published on the Synod’s web site, www.neos-elca.org. The weekly E-news will keep you updated with all the news, events and pertinent information in between Unifieds. If you would like to begin receiving the E-news and our other electronic mailings you may sign-up on our website. Simply go to www.neos-elca.org and click on Unified Newsletter; from there click on Join Our Electronic Mailings to sign-up. If you have articles or notices to publish in the Unified, please contact Marilyn Matevia at the Synod office, mmatevia@neos-elca.org

Stephen Ministry Workshop. Saturday, October 29, Kent United Church of Christ, 1400 E Main Street, will host a Stephen Ministry Introductory Workshop from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. This half-day, three-session workshop is designed to help congregations catch a vision for strengthening their caring ministry through equipping laypeople as caregivers. During this event, participants will also develop caregiving skills they can use right away. The workshop covers these three sessions:

• Ministering to those experiencing grief • An introduction to the Stephen Ministry • How to care in a distinctively Christian way

The cost of this workshop is $15 per person or $50 for a group of four or more from the same congregation. For more information or to register for this half-day Stephen Ministry Introductory Workshop, call Stephen Ministries at (314) 428-2600 or visit www.stephenministry.org/workshop. Floor Scrubbers/Polishers. The property committee at Good Shepherd, Conneaut, has 2 floor scrubbers/polishers for sale. One uses a 21" disc and has 5 spare discs. The other one is a Power-Flite, 17-175 rpm, a 30 ft. power cord and 3 spare discs. For more information please contact the church office at 440-599-8908. Wanted: Someone to donate a commercial or riding mower to Euclid, Euclid (431 East 260th Street, Euclid OH 44132). Contact Bob at either 216 731-4874 and leave a message or koskosek1@gmail.com. Will pick up!

Choir Robes. First, Beach City has 12 green & gold choir robes to give away. Please call Ann Shetler at 330-879-2840 with inquiries.

Continued…

October 13, 2016

Give instruction to the wise, and they will become wiser still; teach the righteous and they will gain in learning.

[Proverbs 9:9 NRSV]

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ and people of God of the Northeastern Ohio Synod,

Did you ever have a question about what Sunday School materials might be best suited for a fifth grader? Or where to get your hands on a good collection of music to supplement your hymnal? Chances are that Karen Kaufman, our Northeastern Ohio Synod Resource Specialist may have an answer for you. If not, she can point you in the right direction.

One of the best kept secrets of the Northeastern Ohio Synod is our Synod Resource Center. We are blessed to be one of only ten synods in the ELCA that has a resource center. The Resource Center is more than a library, more than just books. This month, I have asked Karen Kaufman to fill us in on just what the Resource Center is and does. I invite you to read on and learn about this treasure that is right here in our back yard, and how it might benefit you in advancing the mission and ministry of your congregation.

Blessings!

+Bishop Abraham D. Allende

************

“This is a gold-mine” said the Christian Education director after spending the morning perusing the shelves and open files in the resource center; making notes of resources for future classes and events and picking up books that were being given away.

“You are a life-saver” exclaimed the congregation leader who borrowed the multi-media projector or portable sound system for a special event; or was able to borrow a book or dvd that had not yet arrived as ordered or been misplaced.

“You have saved me so much time” noted the pastor who phoned asking for help in preparing a developmentally delayed individual for communion. [Communion and confirmation curriculum is published specifically for those with limited reading capabilities. Samples can be viewed through the resource center. ]

Echoed by:

the leader who was looking for the Sunday School discussion prompts that connect contemporary events and issues with the lectionary, blogs.elca.org/faithlens;

the new personnel committee chair looking for sample handbooks and policies;

the pastor looking for a litany for sending a member off to seminary (our open files of original creations save others from having to ‘re-invent the wheel’);

the children’s chapel leader looking for appropriate picture books, and receiving the link to worshippingwithchildren.blogspot.com.

“This will save our congregation money” emailed the congregation who received the curriculum extras from another congregation or made use of a variety of Bible study and small group discussion resources, some available online and free.

“Thank you” wrote curriculum selection teams, discussion group leaders, new team leaders in stewardship for showing us what is appropriate for our setting and brainstorming the possibilities with us.

The above comments have been heard in the resource center through phone, emails, notes and personal conversations after individuals have experienced receiving resources or referrals that have met a ministry need. While the resource center may look like a library it has always been so much more than that.

From the beginning Connie Garrett the first resource center director gathered the original creations (skits, job descriptions, litanies, specialized curriculum) of local leaders and facilitated the sharing of these items and leaders between congregations. She also organized a resource fair providing mini-training sessions for congregation leaders. The remnants from the original audio-visual library housed at Wittenberg and the print resources from the Ohio District – ALRC resource centers were catalogued and shelved to encourage additional donations of resources. With the establishment of the resource center publishers provided gratis materials for users to consider. The amount of those donated materials have diminished considerably however we occasionally do we receive a gratis item because of being an active resource center.

The first newsletter was the Resource-o-gram and announced the newest arrivals in the resource center. Twenty years ago with the resignation of Connie Garrett as director and Karen Kaufman taking over her position the newsletter became The Link. With this new name the newsletter began promoting not only the newest or latest in published resources but also highlighting potential ministry practices for congregations to consider as well as training opportunities. This newsletter distributed through the synod Unified mailing is also available by emailing rc@neos-elca.org

Space in this letter and your time do not allow us to share ALL of the many resources available to congregations and their leaders however your questions are always welcomed by phone (330-929-9020), email (rc@neos-elca.org) or by visiting 1890 Bailey Road, Cuyahoga Falls. The online catalog of published resources available can be found at http://www.rqmweb.com/search.asp?q=neos. You can also view online recommended resources at www.twitter.com/resources4U and www.facebook.com/alrc.elca.

We continue to welcome your resource recommendations and original creations (some which can be viewed at www.feautor.org) as well as your in-kind and financial support. [Financial donations to the resource center provide the necessary funds for purchasing newly published resources.] Working together as partners in this synod and across the church we support and build up the ministry of congregations large and small for service in Christ’s name.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE Important reminder about background checks: Congregations are called to be safe places for all members, and every ELCA congregation is responsible to have established guidelines and policies protecting all members. When hiring church workers, please remember the importance of background checks. Your congregation should have official guidelines in place to safeguard members against abuse. For more information about background checks and guidelines: www.elca.org/backgroundchecks/

Please remember to tell the Synod office if your posted position has been filled! Contact Marilyn Matevia, mmatevia@neos-elca.org, or 330-929-9022, ext. 22

Custodial/Maintenance. St. Stephen Lutheran Church has an opening for PT (12 hrs/wk) help with cleaning, set-up and projects. Qualifications: High school diploma, good health and familiarity with janitorial procedures and equipment. Hours are flexible within the administrative office hours. Applications are available at the church office Tues.-Fri., 9am - 3pm. 3725 Kent Road, Stow, Ohio 44224. Inquiries call 330-688-7213 Music Director. Looking for a music director who can lead a new era of engaging worship at Faith, Lakewood, a renewal ministry of the ELCA. This is a part-time position with precise duties and compensation open to discussion and ideas. We're looking for someone with passion, vision and the skills to build a church music program from scratch. Send resume and vision statement for the development of a small-church music program to pastor@faithlakewood.org. Learn more about Faith at faithlakewood.org. Youth and Education Director. Parma Lutheran is looking for an energetic, resourceful person to lead youth and education ministries. Youth responsibilities are for the youth ministry of 6th-12th grade students. Planning and resourcing service projects as well as fun activities as we learn more about God’s amazing grace and love for us, working with the Pastor on confirmation and high school education needs. Education duties of the job are to resource and train teachers for Sunday school, empower volunteers for VBS and other family activities within the framework of pre-school to 5th grade. This position will require 25-30 hours a week, weekends, and some evenings with a flexible schedule. Compensation will be discussed with qualified candidates. A degree in education and/or youth ministry is a real plus, but not a prerequisite. See Pastor Don or a member of the Executive Committee with any questions. Resumes may be submitted through the church office or online at pastor@plcparma.org. Visit our website www.plcparma.org for the full job description. Choir Director. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Conneaut, OH is searching for a choir director. This position includes an evening practice and Sunday morning worship service. Choir season runs from September through May. Contact the church at 440 599-8908 or e-mail goodshepherd@suite224.net ASAP! Organist/digital keyboard musician. Abiding Savior, Alliance, is seeking a skilled organist & digital keyboard musician. Performance and accompaniment for Sunday morning worship service. Ideal candidate would also be available to lead and instruct choir. Classified as a part time position. Salary commensurate with experience. No benefits. Must be at least 18 years of age. Qualified candidates can call Bonnie at (330) 823-1434 during regular business hours or email mmrittner@sbcglobal.net.

Continued…

Full time Youth and Family Ministry, Christian Education and Campus Outreach. Trinity, Kent is searching for a full time position for youth and family ministry, Christian education and campus outreach. This person will provide mentoring and leadership for current youth programs and help redevelop Christian education into a multi-spectrum approach for youth and families. We're looking for someone who is passionate about their faith, is a team player, wants to link youth and families in the process of Christian education and connect youth to the life of the congregation. For a complete job description go to www.trinitykent.org or call Pastor Doug Fidler at 330-673-5445. Music Coordinator & Bell Choir Director. St. Paul, Smithville, is searching for a music coordinator and bell choir director. Both positions include a Wednesday evening practice and Sunday morning worship when the individual choirs perform. Choir season runs from mid-September through late May. Anyone interested may contact St. Paul at (330) 669-2111 or stplc@sssnet.com Youth Leader. St. Paul, Berea, is searching for a youth leader to help with their high school ministry program. This person should be present with the youth in worship at least twice a month and lead two youth events and a fellowship activity each month. The position will consist of approximately six to seven hours per week. The congregation’s desire is for those who apply to be willing to become part of a church family, not just have a job. For more details, please go to www.stpaulberea.org

NORTHEASTERN OHIO SYNOD ROSTERED NEWS – October 2016

Congregations in the Call Process

• Akron, Holy Trinity, called Deacon Ruth E. Anderson (Director of Music Ministries), accepted; called Deacon Marla Wood Kay (Director of Congregational Ministries), accepted

• Alliance, Abiding Savior, called Angela Storer, accepted

• Ashland, Stone, Rebecca Rossow, interim • Austintown, Grace, called Pamela Kelly, accepted • Bay Village, Bethesda-on-the-Bay, Robin Craig,

interim (PCUSA) • Broadview Heights, Triune, supply pastors &

Maple Heights, Covenant, George Hrbek, ongoing supply, two-point call

• Cuyahoga Falls, St. Luke’s, Larry Mackey, interim • Fairview Park, Messiah (associate) • Lakewood, Trinity, Angela Freeman-Riley,

Interim • Lorain, First • Massillon, Holy Trinity, Mark Sherwindt, interim • Massillon, St. Paul’s, Dan Cammarn, interim • North Canton, Zion, Hal Robarge, interim • Sharon Center, St. Paul, Elizabeth Hadler, interim

(UMC)

Installations • Pastor Erin Burns, The Parish of St. John,

Petersburg and Emmanuel, New Springfield • Pastor Lucas Merritt, St. Michael, Marshallville • Pastor Scott Nellis, Emmanuel, New Philadelphia • Pastor Emily Seitz, Faith, Massillon • Mr. Aaron Speakman, Synodically Authorized Lay

Minister, Israel’s, Paris Transitions

• Pastor Richard Seaks, from Lower Susquehanna Synod to NEOS

Recently Ill or Hospitalized • Susan Anderson, wife of Pastor Wally Anderson • Pastor Karen Biggerstaff • Pastor Richard Bowen • Pastor Sharon Brown • Pastor Kristy Buyok • Judith Camp, wife of Pastor Paul Camp • Pastor Bobbie Davis-Newhouse • Pastor Fred Grosse • Pastor Carol Kilgore • Lou Raymond, husband of Pastor Aimee

Raymond

• Ruth Sander, mother of Pastor Bob Sander • Pastor Blanche Tyree • Pastor Lynn Williamson’s daughter, Megan

On-going Prayers

• Pastor Béla Bernhardt • Pastor Sharon Brown’s sister, Ann • Mary Collins, wife of Pastor Lang Collins • Pastor Duane Culler • Pastor John Furno • Pastor Jaclyn Gasior • Pastor Ted Grotjohn • Pastor David Hammel • Pastor Walter Heber • Pastor George Keeler • Pastor Tim Keeler • Pastor Gerald Keller • Pastor Jim Kennell • Ron Kilgore, husband of Pastor Carol Kilgore • JD Kuzmik, son of Pastor Rhonda Gallagher • Pastor Dean Lewis • Pastor Bob Linsz • Pastor Diane Lundgren • Pastor Victor Myers • Pastor Alan Nathan • Ruth Ann Paynter, mother of Pastor Ann Paynter • Pastor Dan Rossbach • Pastor Richard Shibley • Pastor Bob Springer • Pastor Rick Warger • Louise White, wife of Pastor Robert White • Jil Williams • Pastor Jim Zingale

Sympathy

• Pastor Denise Gundersen on the death of her son, Erik

• Pastor Paul Burgeson on the death of his brother, John

Congratulations

• Pastor Mark & Megan Brauer on the birth of their son, Walter

If you are aware of any changes to the “Recently Ill” or “On-going Prayers” lists, please contact the synod office to let us know: 330-929-9022, or office@neos-elca.org. Unless otherwise requested, individuals will be shown on these lists for two editions of the Unified.

NORTHEASTERN OHIO SYNOD CALENDAR OCTOBER 15 8:30 am, Synod Council, Bethany English, Cleveland 17 Synod Office & Resource Center Closed 23 2:00 pm, Lutheran-Catholic Covenant Celebration, Zion, Canton 25 Eastern Conference Meeting 26 12:00 pm, Congregational Resource Team, NEOS Resource Center 30 7:00 pm, 31st Annual Festival Celebration of the Reformation, St Paul’s, Alliance NOVEMBER 2 10:00 am, Ecumenical Committee, NEOS Conference Room 3 6:00 pm, Finance & Budget Committee, NEOS Conference Room 5 10:00 am, Fall Bishop’s Gathering, Parma, Parma 6 3:00 pm, LYO Assembly Planning Committee, NEOS Conference Room 19 10:00 am, Fall Bishop’s Gathering (alternate date), St Jacob, North Canton 20 4:30 pm, Installation of Director of Music Ministries & Director of Congregational Ministries, Holy

Trinity, Akron 24-25 Synod Office & Resource Center Closed – Thanksgiving Holiday 30 10:30 am, Retirees Advent Service & Luncheon, Faith, Akron DECEMBER 1 2:30 pm, Nominating Committee Orientation, NEOS Resource Center 4 4:30 pm, Installation of Rev. Pam Kelly, Grace, Austintown 13 9:00 am, Richland-Ashland Conference Meeting 5:30 pm, Executive Committee, NEOS Conference Room 18 4:30 pm, Installation of Rev. Angela Storer, Abiding Savior, Alliance 23-31 Synod Office & Resource Center Closed – Christmas Holiday (also closed January 2, 2017) STAFF VISITS FOR THE COMING WEEKS Bishop Abraham Allende Pastor Karl Biermann Pastor Terrance Jacob Oct 22 St Paul, Ravenna Oct 23 First, Strongsville Zion, Canton Oct 25 Eastern Conference

Meeting, Shepherd of the Valley, Howland

Oct 30 Wittenberg U., Springfield Nov 5 Parma, Parma (Fall Bishop’s Gathering) Nov 6 St Timothy’s, Mansfield Nov 19 St Jacob, N. Canton (Fall Bishop’s Gathering) Nov 20 Prince of Peace, Poland Holy Trinity, Akron Nov 27 St Matthew, Medina Nov 30 Faith, Fairlawn (Retirees Advent Luncheon) Dec 4 Bethelehem, Cleve. Hts. Grace, Austintown Dec 11 Zion, Loudonville Dec 18 Peace, Ashland Abiding Savior, Alliance

Oct 16 Living Word, Medina Oct 23 St Paul, Minerva Oct 30 Holy Trinity, Salem Nov 13 Bethesda-on-the-Bay Nov 20 Holy Trinity, Akron Dec 4 Grace, Austintown Dec 18 Abiding Savior, Alliance

Oct 22 Divinity, Parma Heights Oct 23 Divinity, Parma Heights

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED!

THE 31st ANNUAL FESTIVAL

CELEBRATION OF THE

REFORMATION

Reformation Sunday

October 30, 2016

7:00 p.m.

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

Alliance, Ohio

On Union Ave. (St. Rte. 183)

One mile south of State St. (US 62) at

second stop light

With Guest Preacher

The Rev. Hank Langknecht

Professor of Homiletics and Christian

Communications

Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus,

Ohio

Holy Communion

Special music / Staffed Nursery

Social Hour after Worship

This annual celebration of the

Reformation is a ministry of the

following seven Lutheran congregations

of the Eastern Cluster of the Canton-

Massillon Conference.

Abiding Savior, Alliance

Emmanuel, North Georgetown

Kountze Memorial, Louisville

St. John’s, New Franklin

St. Paul’s, Alliance

St. Paul’s, Minerva

Trinity, Sebring

For further information, call the

Reverend James B. Metzger,

330-823-8384.

____________________

We are indeed

fortunate to

have as this

year’s

Reformation

Service

preacher, the

Rev. Hank

Langknecht,

Professor of Homiletics (preaching) and

Christian Communications at Trinity

Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.

Henry J. Langknecht (who goes by Hank)

was born on November 2, 1956, near

Ithaca, New York. His parents are both

living though divorced, and he has one

brother. He grew up and graduated from

high school in Cherry Hill, New Jersey,

and attended Stetson University in

DeLand, Florida, where he received a

Bachelor of Music in Theory and

Composition. His principal instrument

was piano. While in college, he met his

wife, Shirla, whom he married in August,

1980.

His religious upbringing was a mixed

bag: baptized Methodist; confirmed

Presbyterian; attended a Southern Baptist

university; and married by an Episcopal

priest. It was after college that he was

first exposed to Lutheranism when he

became a choir director at Faith Lutheran

Church in DeLand. At Faith his duties

included adult, children, and bell choirs,

some youth work, and worship planning.

During Lent 1981, he volunteered to fill a

space in the mid-week sermon schedule

and delivered his first sermon on April

Fool’s Day, 1981. As Pastor Lyle Sucher

and he left church that evening, Sucher

leaned over and said, “You’re going to

seminary.”

One year later, in the spring of 1982,

Langknecht entered Trinity Lutheran

Seminary in Columbus. Ohio. He

interned at St. Mark Lutheran Church in

Norwich, Connecticut, and finished his

course work in the fall of 1985. In

March, 1986, he accepted a call to serve

as pastor at First English Lutheran

Church, Marysville, Ohio.

There Langknecht remained until

receiving an offer from Trinity Lutheran

Seminary to attend graduate school with

the promise of filling a faculty position in

homiletics. He began graduate studies in

homiletics at Emmanuel College of the

University of Toronto, Ontario, in

September, 1996, where he also served as

interim pastor of St. Ansgar Lutheran

Church and was a regular supply

preacher at Runnymede United Church.

In January, 2000, Hank and his family

returned to Ohio so he could begin

teaching homiletics (preaching) at Trinity

Lutheran Seminary.

He received his doctorate (Th.D.) in

2008; his dissertation area was the

“Literal Sense of the Pericope for

Preaching.” In Fall, 2008, Hank was

installed into the Haman-Pfahler Chair

for Christian Communications. His

teaching areas at Trinity are preaching,

parish communication, urban ministry

and the emergent/missional conversation.

His major research/reading interests are

the literal sense of the Bible; biblical

interpretation for preaching; metaphor

and imagination; the emergent/ missional

church; and sermon form and

composition.

Hank stays connected to parish life

through his membership at Gethsemane

Lutheran Church, Columbus; regular

contributions to Workingpreacher.org

and Sundays and Seasons; and frequent

teaching and preaching gigs in

congregations around Columbus.

Hank and Shirla have two sons, Adam (b.

1987) and Jacob (b. 1988). Adam is a

CPA in the Washington D.C. area; Jake

is a drummer in Cincinnati with a day job

as a barista. Hank and Shirla currently

share their home with a schnauzer named

Zeke. Hank’s personal interests and

hobbies include bicycling, slow-water

kayaking, movies, reading, and puzzles

of all sorts.

ALL ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO

WORSHIP WITH US AND TO HEAR

PASTOR LANGKNECHT.

Fall Bishop’s Gathering

Worship is at the heart of who we are as

communities of believers. Yet it is all too easy to get into a rut with our weekly services. Join us at the Fall Bishop’s Gathering to discover together ways to revitalize our worship. There will be an emphasis on smaller congregations, and there will be chances to discuss in depth topics such as: incorporating seasonal variety in worship

how your worship committee can be more effective (or how to start one in the first place)

empowering lay involvement in worship

There will also be time for worship and fellowship at the Gathering. Hope to see you there!

RSVP: Karen Kaufman 330-929-9020/ rc@neos-elca.org

Worship Workshops

Time: 10:00 a.m. — Noon

Sat., Nov. 5 Parma Lutheran 5280 Broadview Rd, Parma

repeated

Sat., Nov. 19 St. Jacob Lutheran 1460 State St NE, Canton

Registration: $5 per congregation

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NORTHEASTERN OHIO SYNOD PULPIT SUPPLY LIST

The 2016 NEOS Compensation Guidelines state: Those asked to serve as pulpit supply should be contacted well in advance of the date needed and, upon

acceptance, be provided with a copy of the worship bulletin and pertinent information about the service. A member familiar with congregational worship practices should be on hand to welcome the pastor prior to the

service. The recommended honorarium for one worship service is $150 plus mileage at the current IRS mileage reimbursement rate- beginning January 1, 2016, 54 cents/mile). Travel reimbursement should also

include turnpike tolls. For additional services, scheduled within three hours of the conclusion of the initial worship service, whether at the same congregation or at another, as in two-point parishes, an additional $50 per

service should be paid plus any additional mileage. If additional services are scheduled during the week that are similar in nature e.g., Sunday evening, Wednesday, Saturday, etc., an additional honorarium of $85 for each additional service plus mileage at the current IRS mileage reimbursement rate (see above) should be paid. For additional responsibilities, appropriate compensation should be provided. Expenses for lodging and meals, if

necessary, are to be paid by the congregation. (Contractual interim pastors are reminded that they are responsible for obtaining supply in their absence.)

The following persons have indicated their availability for pulpit supply (additional supply pastors from

denominations in full communion with the ELCA can be found on page 3): The Rev Shari Ayers 207 Diller St. Pandora, OH 45877 614-460-0186 shari.ayers@gmail.com The Rev Loranell Breyley 80 High Point Dr. Unit 66 Medina, OH 44256 248-850-6357 sunshinedancer2@gmail.com The Rev William Burkett 1951 Fowl Rd Apt B-3 Elyria, OH 44035 440-567-9062 weensue@yahoo.com The Rev Langley Collins 1310 Fifth Ave Apt 605 Youngtown, OH 44504 (H) 330-286-5409 (cell) 330-720-9872 lmcollins@zoominternet.net The Rev David Craig 3119 Driftwood Rd. Norton, OH 44203 330-825-0291 davebevcraig@sbcglobal.net

The Rev Barbara Essex (UCC) 11205 Euclid Ave Cleveland, OH 44106 (O) 216-421-9614 ext. 301 (H) 216-772-2325 barbara.upcam@gmail.com The Rev Stephen Fisher 4058 Castlewood Court Perry, OH 44081 (H) 440-259-3747 (cell) 440-413-9286 stepfish@gmail.com The Rev George Gaiser 944 Dussel Rd. Kent, OH 44240-6524 330-678-9287 gjgaiser@att.net The Rev Frank Gross 1020 Federal Ave. Alliance, OH 44601 330-823-8943 pastorgross@sbcglobal.net The Rev Elizabeth Hazelton 9396 Brandywine Rd Sagamore Hills, OH 44067-2480 330-468-0412 pastorbetti@sbcglobal.net

The Rev Kermit Lauterbach 32844 Woodspring Cr. North Ridgeville, OH 44039 440-748-3490 klauterbach@oh.rr.com single services only The Rev Clyde McGee 1751 Cedar Chase Dr. Akron, OH 44312-4880 330-784-5361 mcgeecp@yahoo.com The Rev James Metzger 1681 Raywood Rd. Alliance, OH 44601-3670 330-823-8384 The Rev Dr Deborah Michaels 13193 Hampton Club Dr. Apt. 102 North Royalton, OH 44133 440-281-5337 revdeb51@yahoo.com The Rev George Murphy 538 Cynthia Lane Tallmadge, OH 44278-2884 330-524-4090 gmurphy10@neo.rr.com

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The Rev Gail Patton 5256 Spencer Rd. Lyndhurst, OH 44124-1251 440-442-5256 The Rev Robert Pindell 925 Barkston Dr. Highland Hts., OH 44143-3218 (H) 440-449-6301 (cell) 440-679-1943 bobdell@ix.netcom.com The Rev Haldon Robarge 12015 Lagoona Circle NW Uniontown, OH 44685 330-760-3925 hrobarge@neo.rr.com The Rev Robert Sander 4818 Leigh Ave NW Canton, OH 44709-1943 (H) 330-497-7293 (cell) 419-973-7773 rev1bobs@aol.com The Rev H Dixon Slingerland 147 Barrington Place E Aurora, OH 44202 330-995-6101 slingerlandh@gmail.com The Rev Edward Wahl (NWOS) 2856 St. Rt. 529 Cardington, OH 43315 419-864-0850 revedwahl@hotmail.com The Rev Richard Weaver (NWOS) 2214 Stahlwood Ave. Sandusky, OH 44870 419-591-8594 rweaver2484@yahoo.com The Rev Daniel Wenger 6315 Fiesta Ct. Lorain, OH 44053-3836 (O) 216-476-7372 (H) 440-233-8024 dan.wenger19@gmail.com

The Rev Gail Zackrison (NW PA Synod) 5480 Harold Dr. Edinboro, PA 16412 814-734-5831 ghzack@aol.com

Lay Preachers Marilyn Matevia 4201 W 49th St. Cleveland, OH 44144 415-412-8246 mmatevia@gmail.com (non-communion services) David Rebeck 244 Fairpark Dr. Berea, OH 44017-2405 440-891-9793 djrebeck@roadrunner.com (non-communion services) Ken Reinoehl 407 Ninth St. NW North Canton, OH 44720 330-866-2452 reinoehlk@gmail.com (non-communion services) Clergy supply list for the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio can be found at: www.dohio.org. Additional pastors from denominations in full communion with the ELCA can be found on page 3.

3

Reformed Church of America (RCA):

Don Poest Brunswick, 330-273-7396 brcpoest@aol.com

Episcopal Church, Diocese of Ohio:

Supply roster can be found at: www.dohio.org.

Moravian Church:

William Surber (available after January 2017) Uhrichsville, 330-401-7754 Revwes51@gmail.com

United Church of Christ (WR=Western Reserve Association; EO=Eastern Ohio Association):

Mendle E. Adams (EO, WR) Lyndhurst, 216-246-6369 mendle.adams@yahoo.com

Dick Beck (EO, WR) Mogadore, 330-807-2800 rfbeck3@sbcglobal.net

Karen D. Binford (EO) Ravenna, 330-968-9622 revgrandma@att.net

Jenna K. Brown (EO) Alliance, 330-257-2826 fozi31@juno.com

John A. Brownsberger (EO) Louisville, 330-546-0034 johnbrownsberger@sbcglobal.n et

Henry W. Bruner (WR) Elyria, 440-322-9749 billandmartybruner@gmail.com

Monte E. Canfield (EO) Newcomerstown, 330-204-7763 montecan@roadrunner.com

Arthur P. Clippinger (EO, WR) Akron, 330-630-2018 apclippinger@aol.com

United Church of Christ, cont’d

Jim H. Cunningham (EO, WR) Lakewood, 440-759-9062 j.h.cunningham@me.com

James G. Deitz (WR) Amherst, 440-988-2714 ejdeitz@centurytel.net

Jonathan M. Dodson (EO, WR) Hudson, 330-888-8755 dodson.jon@hotmail.com

Barbara J. Essex (WR) South Euclid, 216-772-2325 bjessex@aol.com

Kenneth E. Hutchinson (EO) North Canton, 330-526-8520 hutchinson@sssnet.com

Patricia J. Jefferis (EO, WR) Middleburg Heights, 440-826-0960 pjjefferis@wowway.com

Veronica M. Jefferson (WR) Cleveland Heights, 216-291-5510 revvmjeff@gmail.com

David S. Kiewit (EO) Tallmadge, 330-630-9638 dkiewit@att.net

Erwin R. Koch (WR) Brunswick, 330-273-5895

Doyle A. Luckenbaugh (EO) Massillon, 330-309-5253 doymar58@sssnet.com

Carolyn J. Mann (EO) Brinkhaven, 740-824-4632 haymann51@yahoo.com

James A. Nelson (EO) Orrville, 330-683-2792 revjn0203@hotmail.com

Don N. Nichols (EO) North Canton, 330-499-5707 drdonrevsharon44@neo.rr.com

Sharon G. Nichols (EO) North Canton, 330-499-5707 uccrev@neo.rr.com

Mark B. Pemberton (WR) Amherst, 440-984-3931

Barbara L. Pryor (WR) Bratenahl, 517-250-0768 revbpryor@aol.com

Steven Savides (EO, WR) Akron, 617-894-4496 Steven@thesavides.com

Don C. Skinner (EO, WR) Copley, 814-282-9284 stinkweed272@gmail.com

Timothy Staveteig (EO, WR) Cleveland, 216-401-5460 tstaveteig@gmail.com

Barry R. Stirbens (EO) North Canton, 330-361-7170 bstirbens@neo.rr.com

Glenn E. Swope (EO, WR) Alliance, 330-823-5107 cgsarts@aol.com

Kate L. Walsh (EO, WR) Chagrin Falls, 330-472-0228 katewalsh1216@gmail.com

Updated 10/10/16

Ordained Ministers from Denominations in Full Communion with the ELCA

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Volume 20

Issue 9

Your Link to the Ministry Resources of NE Ohio

Staffed Hours

Monday, Tuesday &

Thursday 8-4

Call or email ahead and recommended resources will

be pulled for you to preview.

NE Ohio Synod

Resource Center

October 2016

NE Ohio Synod

Resource Center

1890 Bailey Road

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

44221-5259

Phone: 330-929-9020

Fax: 330-929-9018

Email: rc@neos-elca.org

Epiphany - 7 Weeks

We have an unusual opportunity this coming year. Since Ash Wednesday is not until March 1 we have the time frame of 7 weeks or less if desired to focus on a particular topic or theme. Since this is the Year of Matthew a special Bible study series could focus on that particular book of the Bible. Create a Facebook group for sharing or discussion purposes so winter storms or quick trips to warmer weather will not deter sharing and learning. Or take advantage of the common New Year resolve to increase exercise. Create and encourage physical fitness activities and pair it with ChristWalk or Faith and Fitness. Or the activity Walk to Jerusalem /christwalk40day.blogspot.com/p/resources.html

Advent Resources

Planners for Advent may want to consider: + Everlasting Light a liturgy which uses familiar carol tunes, It can be seen at www.abidingsaviorlutheranchurch.org/everlasting_light [You may also request a copy from the resource center.] + the Advent Study found in the ELCA World Hunger Advent 2016 packet. This is perfect for an informal mid-week gathering that includes suggested hymns and a prayer. Cannot find your packet; you can download this at www.elca.rog/resources/ELCA-World-Hunger. New also in this packet is an Advent Calendar that can be ordered in quantities. + The Redemption of Scrooge is an Advent study that uses this popular Charles Dicken’s novel to help us see the work of God today.

Free Offer Soon to Expire Congregations signing up for Frolic by October 31 will receive the first year subscrip-tion free. The subscription provides four email contacts per child to receive monthly developmental helps; so now you can include grandparents and sponsors in these suggested faith development activities. Those same individuals will appreciate the books available for purchase for newborns to 3 years. The reasonable subscription fee will be based on the number of children, 0-3 years. To sign up visit www.wearesparkhouse.org/kids/frolic. This program is a great way for congregations to follow up on the baptismal promises for children near or far away.

Karen Kaufman,

Resource Specialist

Your Link to the Ministry Resources of NE Ohio

New Arrivals

Page 2 Your Link

Book of Faith: Matthew is the most recent addition to this series and just in time for Year A providing an overview of

the book of Matthew. Written for eight 50-minute sessions with optional bonus activities some congregations may

expand this to 16 sessions.

The Church as Movement: Starting and Sustaining Missional-Incarnational Communities is best used in a group setting

for optimal understanding and transformation. Invite individuals interested in being and making disciples to participate

in the study of this book.

Christ Walk: Kids is the tween and teen version of Christ Walk , an opportunity to grow and gain in faith and physical

fitness. Walking routes such as the “Nazareth Challenge”, the “Jerusalem Challenge” or the “Bethlehem Challenge” are

available at http://christwalk40day.blogspot.com

Getting Down to Basics: The Augsburg Confession and The Small Catechism with Dr. Timothy Wengert on dvd and divided

into 10 sessions. Our thanks to Charlotte Glasgo (Zion, Loudonville) for the donation of this resource.

Introduction to the Old Testament is a ten-session video course with Dr. Ralph Klein and Dr. Katheryn Schifferdecker

who strive to unravel the mysteries and riddles of this text. Segments of sessions could also be used for preparation or

as an introduction to individual Old Testament book studies. Our thanks to Charlotte Glasgo (Zion, Loudonville) for the

donation of this resource.

Martin Luther’s 95 Theses with Introduction, Commentary, and Study Guide by Timothy J. Wengert includes helpful

resources to facilitate conversation and understanding of this pivotal document in church history.

More Days of Praise (compiled by Gail Ramshaw) highlights the Lesser Festivals and Commemorations with a colored

photo, brief history, suggested hymn and petitions and a prayer for each commemoration. An excellent devotional

resource for small groups or individuals at a modest price.

Papa Luther is a graphic novel written to share Martin Luther’s understanding of the love of Jesus Christ and how that

was conveyed in the family setting. Written for middle school it includes study/discussion questions. A detailed leader’s

guide is available online or through the resource center. Partner with sister congregations to take advantage of a

quantity discount when purchasing this book.

Peace at the Last was developed by lay individuals FOR lay individuals when visiting the dying. Water color scenes are

the background to text and suggested Psalms for sharing with individuals. Your congregation’s visitation team may

find this a helpful resource.

These Are Our Bodies: Talking Faith & Sexuality at Church & Home is an excellent guide for education, health care teams

and parenting groups to review and discuss. Helpful examples, questions and a robust resource listing make this a

valuable source.

Together By Grace: Introducing the Lutherans uses 37 contributors to effectively provide an understanding of Lutherans

five hundred years ago and today. A facilitator guide with handouts available online or from the resource center enables

a group to discuss the book in six sessions with readings between sessions. This could be an excellent study option

during Epiphany this year.

I D E A S A N D I N S I G H T S F O R A C T I V E C O N G R E G AT I O N SPA R I S H PA P E R

T H E

EDITOR: CYNTHIA WOOLEVER—WWW.THEPARISHPAPER.COM

September 2016—Volume 24, Number 9 Copyright © 2016 by Cynthia Woolever

All individuals and organizations struggle with change. Implementing new ideas always means accepting that change comes as part of the package. Congregations hear about dozens of new ideas and gain new knowl-edge from denominational leaders, books, and work-shops. Yet that news too rarely becomes part of a practical, local-church strategy. Why? There is often a big gap between what we know and what we do.1

Beware of the GapWhich of these create the gap between knowing and doing in your church?

Fear of change. When congregations shrink in size or begin to lose vitality, their leaders fear that any change they might introduce will only make matters worse. Often, members and pastors view the past with an undeserved glow and resist the very changes that could bring new life and strength to the church. To “confront our past and see it for what it is” is a necessary first step for understanding our fears.2

Past success. Ironically, churches that have expe-rienced success—such as a large membership, rec-ognition as a community anchor, or significant ministries—believe that because their efforts worked in the past, their way of doing things will continue to bear fruit. A reinventing-yesterday strategy drowns more congregations than it saves.

Tradition. Someone called the phrase “We never did it that way before” the last seven words of the church. Anyone who has ever tried to introduce an action plan that goes against church tradition knows the sanctions deal a blow to even the most enthusiastic and commit-ted leader.

Congregational identity. The statement: “That is just who we are” sums up a church’s sense of self. The church’s sense of self includes many things that express a unique identity—such as what people wear to church, what music is appreciated, and the actual arrangement of furniture in the worship space. Any new idea that

seems to undercut the congregation’s core identity rarely gets off the ground.

Denominational identity. In addition to their congre-gational identity, congregations incorporate the parent denomination’s theology and themes to form a sense of self. In declining-membership denominations, leaders see few successful models to emulate. Because lead-ers take pride in their denominational theology and ministry methods, they are willing to learn new ideas only from churches similar to their own—even when there is evidence of ineffectiveness. That same pride keeps leaders from seeking out new approaches from churches outside their tribe.

Judgmental attitudes. One member said she would never attend that church because “they put rubber ducks in the baptistery for children’s worship.” Judging an action without sympathy for the motive prevents us from thinking in creative ways. For example, criticizing megachurches, churches more theologically conserva-tive or liberal than our own, or nontraditional forms

What Keeps Congregations from Implementing New Ideas?

of church reveal an unconscious prejudice toward con-gregations that do things differently. Cynicism and pes-simism inhibit openness to new ideas and action.

Confusing discussion with real action. Many people feel more comfortable talking about new ideas than trying out new strategies, which arise from those ideas. Just discussing an issue does not count as addressing the issue. Lengthy hearings without concrete plans, task assignments, and serious deadlines for implemen-tation do not count as meaningful change.3

The gift of rationalization. For those leaders prone to procrastination or inaction, rationalizing lack of action comes naturally. Many congregations possess this gift and exercise its full potential. “We can’t do that because . . .” is the church motto.

Addressing attitudes before behavior. Congregational leaders put the cart before the horse when they buy into the myth that changing attitudes precedes changing behavior. Research indicates that people often change their attitudes after they try out something new, rather than before they do something new.

Underestimating the task of transferring ideas. Every church in every community reflects unique opportu-nities as well as barriers to change. What works in one place typically needs major modifications and adjust-ments to work well somewhere else.

Perfectionism. We all wish for every plan to work out smoothly, if not perfectly. Working out the glitches and snags along the way can be frustrating, discouraging, and time-consuming. Successful leaders and their con-gregations accept that only through implementation of an idea do we see what needs to be smoothed out.

Failure to evaluate. Decisions and actions eventu-ally require evaluation. What went well? What needs improvement? If we tried this tactic again, what would we do differently? Reluctance to ask these hard ques-tions keeps some churches from continuing to imple-ment new ideas.

Moving from Knowing to DoingOnce leaders and members commit to crossing the divide between what they know and what they can accomplish together, several principles prove valuable.

Tell stories. Every church creates a narrative about their creation, the best times, challenging episodes, and their changing community context. These stories reveal something about their core values as reflected in the actions of church heroes, sacrifices, failures, and persistence. Telling stories about the past helps people

see how the next chapter for the church represents con-tinuity with the larger story that they have been a part of all along.

Identify a need, challenge, or passion. Effective idea implementation stems from what people are already talking about and focused on. Assign responsibility for the tasks involved with the new idea and set realistic deadlines for getting things done.

Practical experience and skills count. Effective new idea implementation involves people with track records in getting things done. Leaders and members with practical experience in other settings can offer insights. Field trips to other effective congregations or organiza-tions generate fresh perspectives. What people observe for themselves creates additional motivation and inspi-ration for local efforts.

Look beneath the “what” to understand the “why.” Leading congregational change is not like following a “some assembly required” set of instructions. Knowing or learning the technical skills is seldom enough. What are the underlying philosophy and core values behind effective efforts?

Stop looking for the perfect plan. If what your congre-gation wants to try were easy, many churches would already be doing it. “Do it and fix it” is a better plan than waiting for the perfect plan.4

What Is the Best Idea?Alan Roxburgh says churches daring to write their next chapter should ask the best question: “What are the challenges we currently face for which we presently have no answer but must address if we’re to live into God’s future for us?”5

Unless you ask the best question, the best answer has not been discovered yet for your church. Have the courage to take this advice: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”6

1. Ideas drawn from Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert Sutton, The Knowing-Doing Gap (Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2000).

2. John Hope Franklin in Drew Gilpin Faust, “John Hope Franklin: Race & the Meaning of America,” The New York Review of Books, December 17, 2015, http://www.nybooks.com/ articles/2015/12/17/john-hope-franklin-race-meaning-america/.

3. Pfeffer and Sutton, 29.4. Statements made by Herb Miller in many conversations. 5. Alan Roxburgh, http://themissionalnetwork.com/.6. Attributed to Muriel Strode.

COPYRIgHT © 2016 bY CYNTHIA WOOLEVER—WWW.THEPARISHPAPER.COM

I D E A S A N D I N S I G H T S F O R A C T I V E C O N G R E G AT I O N SPA R I S H PA P E R

T H E

EDITOR: CYNTHIA WOOLEVER—WWW.THEPARISHPAPER.COM

October 2016—Volume 24, Number 10 Copyright © 2016 by Cynthia Woolever

Forces large and small affect how best to answer the question: “What should we pay the pastor?” Failure to keep track of inflation and replacement costs asso-ciated with current staff could make a church’s clergy compensation package uncompetitive. Sadly, the pas-tor feels no choice but to seek to move.

What Makes up a Pastor’s Pay?Governing boards and personnel committee members must think about the pastor’s total compensation, not just salary.

Manse or housing allowance. Many churches pro-vide housing in the form of a parsonage, or what some denominations call a manse. The pastor’s total com-pensation includes that house’s fair market rental value. In churches that do not own a parsonage, many offer instead a monthly housing allowance so that the pastor can own or rent a home of his or her choosing.

Employee or self-employed. The Internal Revenue Ser-vice considers clergy employees for Federal Income Tax calculations but treats clergy as self-employed for Social Security Tax purposes. Thus, church boards must desig-nate how many compensation dollars are for salary and how many dollars are for housing expenses. Each church determines when and how often it sets or changes these amounts. The law requires that they do so in writing and in advance, with documentation in official church minutes. Tax laws prohibit churches from retroactively determining the salary-housing proportional split.

Some churches believe that designating a larger per-centage of the pastor’s salary for housing allowance will let the pastor avoid paying Federal Income Taxes on those housing dollars. In order for this strategy to work, the pastor has to use all of that housing allow-ance to pay for expenses like rent, mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, repairs, renovations, furnish-ings, etc. If any funds are left over, those dollars must be added back, in full, to the pastor’s taxable compen-sation. And, for Social Security Taxes, all the salary dol-

lars and the full amount of the housing allowance are used in computing the amount due.

Self-employed workers pay about double the amount of Social Security Taxes paid by other workers who are classified as employees. Some churches give their cler-gyperson additional pay to cover this self-employment expense.

Non-taxable compensation. Most full-time (and some part-time) pastors receive health insurance, which is often purchased through the denomination. A second form of compensation comes in the form of retirement benefits, which again is typically offered through the denomination. Both types of benefits essentially extend a clergy’s monthly paycheck, without adding taxable income.

Another clergy financial benefit comes in the form of reimbursements. For example, most churches include a budget item for pastoral transportation expenses. This is a per-mile figure established by the IRS that covers only ministry-related travel, but not travel between the pastor’s

Keeping Up with the Pastor’s Pay: Trends behind Clergy Wages

home and the church. The majority of churches establish line items in their budgets for other work-related expenses such as continuing education, book purchases or maga-zine subscriptions, and the costs associated with work-shops or conferences. These types of reimbursements are not treated as personal income for tax purposes.

Church Size and Denomination Still MatterAs in other occupations and work settings, clergy compensation is not equal among all those called to ministry. For clergy in parish ministry, the size of the congregation determines, in part, the size of the com-pensation package. Denominational affiliation plays a role too. For mainline Protestant pastors, those serv-ing in small churches (with fewer than 100 in worship) receive about 75% of the total compensation of what pastors serving in large churches receive (churches with more than 300 in worship).

This clergy pay discrepancy grows larger for conser-vative Protestant pastors. Clergy in small conservative Protestant congregations (those with fewer than 100 in worship) receive a total compensation package about 58% of what pastors in large Conservative Protestant churches receive (those with more than 300 in worship).1

Significant Trends in Clergy CompensationA new study takes into account housing provisions among Protestant clergy to look more closely at com-pensation over time. Their five findings pose important considerations for congregations.2

A shift away from church-owned housing. Analysis of this national data set confirmed what many denomina-tional leaders and others already knew. In 1976, about six in ten pastors lived in free housing—that is a manse or parsonage—and did not own or rent their home. By 2013, the percentage of pastors living in church-owned property dropped to only fourteen percent. Does this shift contribute to a real overall rise in clergy compen-sation? How do these changing housing provisions relate to clergy satisfaction with compensation?

A narrowing income gap between clergy and their pro-fessional peers. Because earlier studies omitted housing provisions or allowances, those comparisons probably overestimated the gap between clergy pay and that of other professionals.3 However, this new positive find-ing of a smaller pay gap still comes with a cautionary note. Clergy income seems to be keeping pace only when the thirty-five highest income occupations are excluded. Growing income inequality affects all work-

ers, including the clergy. And while the income gap between clergy and like professionals is closing, they are still earning 26 percent less than others at a simi-lar education level.4 What compensation comparisons make sense for our church—the salaries provided by other congregations like ours, our denomination, the cost-of-living in our area, or other factors?

Working fewer hours a week contributes to rise in hourly wages. Clergy report working fewer hours, on average, in recent years compared to three decades ago. Those clergy who report working fewer hours per week also experience better physical and emotional health.5 Therefore, although the total compensation may not change, the shorter workweek of many clergy has enhanced their quality of life. Does our congrega-tion rely on clergy’s nonmonetary values—such as hav-ing a job that helps people, believing one is fulfilling a vocation, and self-supervision—to fill in the wage gap?6 Does our church use salary compensation as an unfair way to communicate dissatisfaction with a clergy- person’s job performance?

Higher pay for nonparish clergy. Clergy serving in non-church ministry positions (such as military or hospital chaplain, director of a nonprofit agency) earn more, on average, than clergy serving in churches. Further, when clergy leave churches to serve in a nonchurch setting, their compensation increases. Both trends decrease the attractiveness of serving in a local church.

Becoming a pastor decreases wages. Individuals who enter pastoral ministry, on average, see an immediate drop in wages. This pattern poses problems for new pastors struggling with seminary student debt.

The Bottom LineEvery church needs a periodic reality check around sal-ary and benefits to show respect and act with fairness toward their pastor. Clergy compensation issues war-rant a frank, annual discussion with the pastor.

1. Total compensation calculations include housing and salary. Cynthia Woolever and Deborah Bruce, Leadership That Fits Your Church: What Kind of Pastor for What Kind of Congregation (St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2012), 17.

2. Cyrus Schleifer and Mark Chaves, “The Price of the Calling: Exploring Clergy Compensation Using Current Population Survey Data,” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 2016 (55:130-52).

3. Schleifer and Chaves, 131.4. Note: All analyses by Schleifer and Chaves include the hous-

ing provisions in total compensation calculations.5. Woolever and Bruce, 43.6. Schleifer and Chaves, 150.

COPYRIgHT © 2016 bY CYNTHIA WOOLEVER—WWW.THEPARISHPAPER.COM