The writer of the book of Hebrews speaks very clearly of the need for members of the faith community to care for one another. In Hebrews 13:1 the author urges us to "Let mutual love continue.” One of the marks of a faithful community is how its members care for one another, as well as offering hospitality to the stranger in their midst (for one might be entertaining angels without knowing it – Heb. 13:2).
But scripture is also clear about a special need to care for the shepherd of the flock, as 1 Thessalonians 5:12 entreats us, "But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you.” While yes, most likely your pastor or clergy friend is paid, and that is a blessing to them, it is still true that the emotional and spiritual weight of caring for others 24/7/365 as a pastor does is worth their wages and far, far more.
October has been designated as "Clergy Appreciation Month.” Formerly it was simply "Week Of The Ministry,” which was held in mid-October and sponsored primarily by the Pension Fund. Today it is a larger more generally recognized and celebrated event the entire month. This special designation is a chance for a community to offer that "over-and-above” gratitude to their pastor for all they are and all they do.
For a really wonderful perspective on the ways in which clergy need to be supported, go to: https://pensionfund.org/resources/blog/supporting-your-pastor-during-week-of-ministry And if you aren't 100% sure there is a growing issue with clergy burnout and the greater need for expressing your appreciation, go online and read this article: https://www.wnccumc.org/resourcedetail/5-shocking-realities-about-the-real-state-of-pastor-burnout-17392915
There are many things that you can do to show respect and appreciation for your pastor or favorite clergy person. You can read some of these ideas I have offered before here: /ccio-blog/2023/celebrating-and-honoring-our-clergy-all-year-round-%E2%80%93-and-especially-in-october.aspx
But this year I would like to make a very special ask of you, especially if you are in leadership in your congregation. In addition to a celebration during or after a worship service on a Sunday in October and in addition to giving flowers and a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant in town, I would like for every single congregation across Ohio to commit to giving your pastor a cost-of-living increase next year, and every year after that, if you do not already. And, sadly, I have come to understand most congregations don't give a cost-of-living increase annually, perhaps ever.
This small percentage increase in your clergy person's salary is in addition to any merit-based raise. In fact, a cost-of-living raise should be completely disconnected from any pastoral evaluation or annual review. A raise connected to performance is what a merit raise is all about. The cost-of-living adjustment is completely different and is determined by the U.S. Social Security Administration based on what income it takes to maintain a reasonable living wage each year. And while the 2025 adjustment has not yet been announced (it should be some time in October and you can find that out here: https://www.ssa.gov/news/cola/) it was 3.2% for the current year, 2024. So for this past year a congregation would have taken the combined salary and housing allowance for their pastor and multiply that by .032 to get the necessary increase for the new year.
A very helpful way to think about this is that if you do NOT give your pastor a cost-of-living increase, you are in effect REDUCING your pastor's salary, as the cost of buying groceries, paying utilities, and buying household and other necessary items have gone up and is out of their control, but their income has been stagnant. If you haven't given your pastor a cost-of-living increase in years, their purchasing power has plummeted and you have been hurting your pastor's ability to survive and thrive in the world.
An added problem is that if your church's pastoral salary hasn't been increased with cost-of-living increases then when you are in your next pastoral search process you will be sorely surprised by the required salaries of clergy who are looking for positions. This is, in fact, the dilemma so many of our congregations have been sadly facing as they look for a new pastor. It is not helpful, and disingenuous, to make the new pastor's starting salary the same as the departing pastor's starting salary. The cost of living has gone up and clergy compensation needs to go up with it!
So for this year's Clergy Appreciation Month I encourage you to create a "Thank You Card Shower” pouring out appreciation for your pastor, and you should sing all your Pastor's favorite hymns on one Sunday, or give then an extra day off every week in October. But, in addition to these nice ideas, have your church's Personnel and Finance Committees make a policy that "Henceforth and forevermore” you will provide your pastor with a cost-of-living increase every year no matter what. Now THAT would be a true Clergy Appreciation Gift!
Then, of course, I also encourage you to think about celebrating great pastoral leadership with a merit raise. But that's for another article.
Blessed Clergy Appreciation Month!
Faithfully Yours,
Allen