During the September 12, 2026 Stated Meeting, two important changes came before the Presbytery of Lake Michigan for 2027: recommendations for an updated Minimum Terms of Call and recommendations for an increase in Per Capita that were included in the first read of the 2027 budget.
2027 Minimum Terms of Call
The presbytery approved the Commission on Ministry’s proposal to move fully to a Total Compensation Package model for minimum pastoral compensation. Until now, minimums were based on Total Effective Salary (cash salary, housing allowance or manse, and deferred compensation). Two developments prompted the change. The Board of Pensions restructured its medical benefits beginning in 2025, which raised the cost of dependent coverage beyond what many congregations could afford if it were required. In addition, several peer presbyteries in the Synod of the Covenant have already adopted this model, and our own policy has offered an optional total compensation track since 2026.
The Commission believes the change will give sessions clearer budgeting information, better reflect the true cost of calling a pastor, and give pastors more flexibility in how they are compensated.
What the Minimums Include
Full-time (40 hours/week) Ministers of Word and Sacrament must receive a Total Compensation Package of at least $78,184. It includes:
- Cash salary
- Housing allowance or manse value (a manse must be valued at no less than 30% of $60,458, a figure based on the Midwest Urban Consumer Price Index)
- Board of Pensions pension participation
- Board of Pensions Congregational Pastors Package medical coverage (pastors already in the Transitional Pastors Package keep that package or comparable coverage in 2027)
- SECA offset
- Professional reimbursements
- Twelve weeks of paid family medical leave
- Four weeks of vacation and two weeks of continuing education leave, each inclusive of Sundays
Pastors working at least 20 hours per week receive a prorated package (50% at 20 hours, 75% at 30 hours), along with pension participation, the same leave provisions, and professional reimbursements.
Commissioned Ruling Elders
The minimum for CREs is 80% of the pastoral package. For 2027, the minimum total cost to the congregation for a part-time CRE is $31,273.60. The presbytery strongly recommends enrolling CREs in the Board of Pensions Covenant Package, and congregations are encouraged to address CREs’ health care needs.
Reimbursements, Sabbaticals, and Exceptions
Professional reimbursements include vouchered auto expenses at the IRS rate, a professional development allowance of at least $800 (which can accumulate for up to three years), and a book allowance of at least $300. Other business costs may be negotiated. Sabbatical leave is recommended after seven or more continuous years at a church, following guideline C-325.
Congregations that cannot meet the minimums must submit an annual exception request through the Commission on Ministry, explaining why the position should not be reduced to part-time. The pastor must agree in writing to be compensated below the minimum.
For questions regarding the Minimum terms of Call, please contact Kristin Stroble at comsupport@lakemichiganpresbytery.org or Ben Rumbaugh at benrumbaugh@pm.me
2027 Per Capita Rate
The Presbytery approved at the September Stated Meeting a Presbytery Per Capita of $29.56, an increase of $1.80. That is a 6.48% increase in the PLM portion of per capita. Combined per capita would be $46.00, up $3.58 (8.44%) from last year’s $42.42. Please note, the PLM portion did not increase from 2025 to 2026.
For questions regarding Per Capita or the 2027 budget, please email Beth Dyer at bnfmoderator@lakemichiganpresbytery.org
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