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| "Dear Session,"; (what's behind this week's sermon...) | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 11 2010, 04:05 PM (176 Views) | |
| Dewey | Apr 11 2010, 04:05 PM Post #1 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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March 27, 2010 Dear Session: It’s hard to believe, but the time is quickly approaching where our three-year covenant together as Congregation and Commissioned Lay Pastor is, at least technically, drawing to a close. It is certainly my intention, and I hope that it is yours, that we continue in this covenantal relationship beyond that time. It isn’t any secret that my family’s financial situation has changed drastically since our relationship began. The self-employment that enabled me the financial stability, health insurance, retirement savings, and flexibility of schedule that has enabled me to serve as pastor, is now nonexistent. Plus, my serving as pastor here has made me ineligible for unemployment benefits, and – more importantly – has made me virtually unemployable for any position that provides health care coverage and retirement savings possibilities. Over the course of the past year and a half, Mrs. Dewey and I have lived off of my compensation from the church and her small pay as a preschool teacher, along with major early withdrawals from our retirement accounts – which are now almost completely depleted. Obviously, this situation cannot continue much longer. I have to uphold my responsibilities to provide at least some measure of financial stability for my family. As we look at the future, I would ask the Session to prayerfully consider adjusting the terms of my call. I ask you to consider two specific possibilities in particular. The details of these proposals are on the following pages. ===== Proposed Revised Terms of Call Option “A” – Halftime Under this option, pastoral hours and responsibilities would remain as they currently exist, but the compensation would be adjusted. The 2010 minimum compensation guidelines for “first ordained call” is a.$42,910 per year salary/housing; b.Mileage at current IRS rate; c.31.5% of salary/housing toward pension/health/disability; d.$800 continuing education; e.$250 books & periodicals; f. 2 weeks study leave; and g.4 weeks vacation. As you know, the minimum compensation for a Commissioned Lay Pastor is calculated on a prorated basis, based on 75% of the minimum salary listed above. Therefore, as a half-time CLP, the minimum salary/housing base is 0.50 x 0.75 x 42,910 = $16,091.00. As you know, at present I am paid $17,000/year salary/housing allowance. I do receive the same continuing ed, books allowance, and vacation & study leave. Consistent with minimum standards for CLP compensation, the church does not pay into the medical/disability/pension plan for me. I propose that my compensation would be adjusted upward, in recognition of a.My increased level of education and training beyond that of a typical Commissioned Lay Pastor; b.The identical responsibilities defined in my commission, compared with that of ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament; c.My three years’ experience of pastoral leadership of a congregation, and the reality that ordained Ministers with 3-4 years of experience currently average closer to $50,000/year compensation; and d.The “crowding out” nature of this call, preventing employment elsewhere which would provide healthcare and retirement benefits. Given those circumstances, I propose the following compensation package: a.$25,000 per year salary/housing, ($18,750 salary/$6,250 housing); b.Mileage at current IRS rate; c.$7,875 pension/health/disability; d.$800 continuing education; e.$250 books & periodicals; f. 2 weeks study leave; and g.4 weeks vacation This is obviously a larger total package than the congregation is currently budgeting for pastoral leadership. But it is a fair level of compensation, and it is still a savings of 50% over what the congregation would pay for fulltime clergy of comparable experience. And while it certainly would not solve all of my family’s financial pressures, it would at least help that situation, while I supplement it with other part-time income. The second proposal would be a more dramatic change from the current arrangement – but I ask that you give it some consideration. ===== Proposed Revised Terms of Call Option “B” – 7/8 Time Under this option, pastoral responsibilities would remain as they currently exist, but the total time commitment would increase to 35 hours/week. I would continue to do sermon research and preparation throughout the week in various locations. However, I would be in-town all day, 9 hours per day, two days per week (typically Wednesday and Friday), enabling me to be more involved in the community, and especially in reaching out to the community and existing membership in a more direct, hands-on manner to try to increase attendance and membership. This is a key need for the future of the congregation. This increased time would be in addition to leading worship and moderating Session on Thursday evenings. It would also enable me to reconfigure and re-emphasize programs like the Men’s Bible Study and Breakfast, which was not originally part of the terms of my commission (but which should be something that we can offer to our men), and other increased ministry activities that the congregation really should have available to it. The 7/8 time would also be compliant with the denomination's intent that CLPs are not to "crowd out" fully ordained ministers from full-time positions available. Under this scenario, I would propose a compensation package as follows: a.$37,545 per year salary/housing, ($28,150 salary/$9,395 housing); b.Mileage at current IRS rate; c.$9,350 pension/health/disability; d.$800 continuing education; e.$250 books & periodicals; f. 2 weeks study leave; and g.4 weeks vacation Of course, this is an even larger change in compensation from the current situation. And I recognize that to follow this path would be a leap of faith for the Session. But I firmly believe – beyond the personal gain that it would offer to me and my family - that gradually moving the congregation back to supporting fulltime pastoral leadership is a critical step for the congregation’s health, both now and into the future. And while it is a big step, this option would still offer the congregation a savings of $5,365 off of the presbytery minimum salary for a “first ordained call” minister – and approximately $12,400 off of what a minister with three years’ experience would typically be paid); plus a savings of $4,166 off of the pension/health/disability minimum (or $15,750 off of this cost for an experienced minister). In other words, this option would offer essentially fulltime pastoral leadership for at very least, $9,531 less than the presbytery minimums, and approximately $28,000 less than what an ordained minister with comparable experience would cost a congregation. On a personal level, this option would enable me to provide a modest but stable financial situation for my family without needing to find a second part-time job to supplement my pastoral income, and while still allowing me the flexibility of schedule needed to complete my studies. ===== I recognize that these options for moving into the future – especially the second option – would be a significant change, and challenge, for our congregation. It would require a step of faith – a real step of faith. But, after all, that is what we are called to. In all honesty, I believe that the second option – the greater challenge – is actually the better option, not just for me, but for the life of our congregation as well. And I believe that we are up to the challenge of even the second option – especially since, with the second option, I have more ability to work toward expanding our visibility within the community and expanding attendance. I believe that stepping out in faith in this manner would have long-lasting benefits for the congregation, while also providing me, and my family, more stability, and peace of mind, and therefore greater ability to better serve you, over the next three to four years – something that I truly love, and in a position and place where I feel truly called by God to be. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the confidence that you have shown me to date, and I ask you to seriously consider these possibilities now. Grace and peace, Pastor Dewey |
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"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685. "Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous "Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011 I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14 | |
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| BeeLady | Apr 11 2010, 04:17 PM Post #2 |
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Middle Aged Carp
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Best of luck to you Dewey...Your proposals are more than fair... With the current economic climate and the rural nature of the church, do you suppose they will be able to do either or both of the possibilities? I do hope so. |
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"My wheel shall sing responsive to my tread, And I will spin so fine, so strong a thread Fate shall not cut it, nor Time's forces break" "Distaff and Spindle: Sonnets by Mary Ashley Townsend" 1895 | |
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| Dewey | Apr 11 2010, 04:31 PM Post #3 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Even the smaller option will be a stretch. If I were a member of the Session, instead of its moderator, I'm not sure I'd vote in favor of option B. They have some savings that would enable them to do it, even if my increased time & effort didn't bring in another member or dollar, but it would completely eliminate their safety cushion by the time I'll be leaving them in 3 or 4 years. I only offered it just to put it out there, and realizing that it's really what they need and should have. Plus, you'll never get anything that you don't at least ask for. Even the option A basically doubles my compensation. As one member asked in the meeting, "So, I don't want to sound mean or anything, but does this basically mean you'd be doing the same things you do now, but we'd just be paying twice as much for it?" My answer was, "The short answer is 'yes.' The longer answer is that what it would actually be, is that the church would finally be paying a fair and just amount for what service it's getting, after getting it for half price for three years." There may be hope for at least option A though. Another member - actually the "patriarch" of the congregation, a quiet guy who doesn't often say much, said, "Well, I'll say this right now: I've been saying for quite some time that we've been getting a lot more from you than we're paying for." His wife, the "matriarch" of the congregation, also happens to be on the Session at the moment (in an odd alignment of the planets, there are three members of that family on the 9-member board at the same time right now). We do have another member who is a very astute businessman, who also was giving somewhat positive vibes, and definitely agreeing that the compensation was at least a fair request. Obviously, neither of these options puts us on easy street (putting it mildly), and option A still requires me to find additional work. But it would at least bring this part time employment up to a reasonable level, so adding it with another pt job could minimally cover us. At present, they're so below equitable that it plus another pt job still leaves us in the hole. So, we'll see. Keep us in your thoughts. |
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"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685. "Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous "Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011 I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14 | |
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| Mikhailoh | Apr 11 2010, 04:45 PM Post #4 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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God love ya, Dewey.. I hope it works out well. Let me know when you want to fix that ceiling. It will be a fun day. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| John Galt | Apr 11 2010, 04:47 PM Post #5 |
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Fulla-Carp
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Dewey, some weeks back I read your post in the thread about the economic downturn and how it has affected your family. I have been thinking about you a lot, and you and your family are in my prayers every day. I don't know why things happen the way they do, but I know that God is holding you in His light and love and will not abandon you. God bless you, Dewey. |
| Let us begin anew, remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness. | |
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| Dewey | Apr 11 2010, 04:53 PM Post #6 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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JG, thanks - that means a lot. I can tell you that there have been many times when the thoughts and friendship here have been a big factor in keeping me sane. Mik, crap! I forgot all about getting back with you - I'm sorry. It actually wouldn't have worked out; I was actually down in F-town pretty much all day yesterday, doing some office work and doing a premarital counseling session. Let me check with SWMBO and PM you with some possible times. I'm looking forward to it. What do the next few weekends look like for you? |
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"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685. "Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous "Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011 I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14 | |
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| brenda | Apr 11 2010, 06:56 PM Post #7 |
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..............
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Best wishes to you, Dewey! They would be wise to keep you and understand they would still get far more from you than they actually pay. You' re a good value, not a cheap date.
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“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” ~A.A. Milne | |
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