Dear clergy and vestry leaders,
At their May 9th meeting, the Diocesan Council considered and adopted a new Policy and Guidelines for Clergy Compensation. The policy establishes a minimum compensation requirement for priests employed in the Diocese of Southern Ohio and provides non-binding guidelines to help congregations determine fair and competitive compensation based on ministry role and years of ordained experience.
The policy establishes a minimum compensation requirement of $65,000 plus SECA and benefits for full-time employment for new or revised Letters of Agreement entered into after May 8, 2026. The accompanying compensation guidelines are non-compulsory, intended as a tool for congregations and clergy to evaluate compensation levels within their unique context to support clergy retention and help our parishes remain competitive in recruiting new clergy.
While our records reflect that there are no priests in our diocese currently earning less than the mandated minimum for full-time employment, our records are less complete for those in part-time positions. We encourage congregations with part-time LOAs to review the policy’s minimum compensation standards, which are broken out in the policy document according to fractional employment levels. If you have questions about how the policy applies to a current or future part-time position, please contact the Rev. Melanie Slane, transition minister, who can provide guidance and support.
The compensation guidelines may also be a helpful resource for congregations and clergy who wish to revisit compensation levels for existing positions. Congregations or clergy interested in that conversation are encouraged to contact the Rev. Melanie Slane for support and consultation. More broadly, I encourage all vestries to maintain a healthy practice of reviewing employee compensation on a regular basis for both clergy and lay staff, as part of supporting sustainable and faithful ministry and good stewardship of our people resources.
The Policy and Guidelines for Clergy Compensation and a corresponding worksheet tool are available at this link, as well as on the Clergy Resources page of the diocesan website. You can find that under Resources, For Clergy, Clergy Resources.
I give thanks for the Clergy Compensation Review Committee, appointed early in my tenure, whose current charge culminates in the adoption of this policy and guidelines. I am especially grateful to the Rev. Darren Elin, who devoted countless hours to gathering data, navigating the complexities of the Church Pension Group, and shepherding this new work through the review and approval process.
Fair and sustainable clergy compensation is one way we honor the vocation of those called to serve Christ’s church and strengthen the health of our congregations for the future.
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Kristin Uffelman White
X Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio
Contact the diocesan transition minister, the Rev. Melanie Slane, at mslane@diosohio.org.
