I think it would be helpful to report that the three-year Final Average Salary (FAS) is only 75% of the actual 3-year average total compensation of all active ministers in the Plan. That would help ministers to understand why the FAS is only $68, 026 rather than the actual average total compensation of $90,701.
The other option would be to use the actual average total compensation in the calculations so that we see that the multiplier is only 0.975% of total compensation. Just as a point of reference, the 3-year average salary pension plan administered by Christian Education Benefit Solutions for Christian School teachers uses a multiplier of 1.84%on total compensation. That is just about double what ministers of the Word get for their years of service.
Currently the Minister's Pension Plan with an ideal 38.5 years of service only provides 37.5% replacement income of the average total compensation of $90,701. Even less if you take one of the other options to provide continued income for your spouse.
It is also helpful to note that the assessments on churches is currently (2025) lower than 2008 despite a 42% increase in inflation. In the meantime, Pension Trustees have decreased minister accrued benefits by reducing the multiplier on the FAS from 1.46% for service between 1985 to 2010 and to only 1.3% for service in 2011 and beyond--an 11% reduction in benefits.
I think it would be helpful to report that the three-year Final Average Salary (FAS) is only 75% of the actual 3-year average total compensation of all active ministers in the Plan. That would help ministers to understand why the FAS is only $63,899 rather than the actual average total compensation of $85,199.
The other option would be to use the actual average total compensation in the calculations so that we see that the effective multiplier is only 0.975% of total compensation. Just as a point of reference, the 3-year average salary pension plan administered by Christian Education Benefit Solutions for Christian School teachers uses a multiplier of 1.84% on total compensation. That is just about double what ministers of the Word get for their years of service.
Currently the Minister's Pension Plan with an ideal 38.5 years of service only provides 37.5% replacement income of the average total compensation of $85,199. Even less if you take one of the other options to provide continued income for your spouse.
It is also helpful to note that the assessments on churches has not increased since 2012 despite a 35% increase in inflation to today in 2025. In the meantime, Pension Trustees have decreased minister accrued benefits by reducing the multiplier on the FAS from 1.46% for service between 1985 to 2010 and to only 1.3% for service in 2011 and beyond--an 11% reduction in benefits.
It seem to me that there was someone else who wanted to identify "the main thing" by asking Jesus to define it. Jesus reply was that there were 2 things that were the main thing: love God and love your neighbour (Matthew 22:34-40). Social Justice/Earth Care is the main thing. Just like evangelism is the main thing. To abandon either is to proclaim an incomplete gospel.
I really appreciated the workship on preaching by Frank Thomas. I find that some of the best sermons are ones that grab hold of my attention like a well written story with a good beginnign to hook my attention, a problem that needs to be sorted out or solved, and the satisfying resolution. Thomas added another element--Celebration. I'm still processing what that means and how it can be included in the sermon or if it is included already in worship by the song of response. I loved this focus on celebration as it helps us to live into the life that we are given by Christ. Hmm...still thinking about it.
Posted in: Ministers’ Pension Plan Highlights (Canada)
I think it would be helpful to report that the three-year Final Average Salary (FAS) is only 75% of the actual 3-year average total compensation of all active ministers in the Plan. That would help ministers to understand why the FAS is only $68, 026 rather than the actual average total compensation of $90,701.
The other option would be to use the actual average total compensation in the calculations so that we see that the multiplier is only 0.975% of total compensation. Just as a point of reference, the 3-year average salary pension plan administered by Christian Education Benefit Solutions for Christian School teachers uses a multiplier of 1.84%on total compensation. That is just about double what ministers of the Word get for their years of service.
Currently the Minister's Pension Plan with an ideal 38.5 years of service only provides 37.5% replacement income of the average total compensation of $90,701. Even less if you take one of the other options to provide continued income for your spouse.
It is also helpful to note that the assessments on churches is currently (2025) lower than 2008 despite a 42% increase in inflation. In the meantime, Pension Trustees have decreased minister accrued benefits by reducing the multiplier on the FAS from 1.46% for service between 1985 to 2010 and to only 1.3% for service in 2011 and beyond--an 11% reduction in benefits.
Posted in: Ministers’ Pension Plan Highlights (U.S.)
I think it would be helpful to report that the three-year Final Average Salary (FAS) is only 75% of the actual 3-year average total compensation of all active ministers in the Plan. That would help ministers to understand why the FAS is only $63,899 rather than the actual average total compensation of $85,199.
The other option would be to use the actual average total compensation in the calculations so that we see that the effective multiplier is only 0.975% of total compensation. Just as a point of reference, the 3-year average salary pension plan administered by Christian Education Benefit Solutions for Christian School teachers uses a multiplier of 1.84% on total compensation. That is just about double what ministers of the Word get for their years of service.
Currently the Minister's Pension Plan with an ideal 38.5 years of service only provides 37.5% replacement income of the average total compensation of $85,199. Even less if you take one of the other options to provide continued income for your spouse.
It is also helpful to note that the assessments on churches has not increased since 2012 despite a 35% increase in inflation to today in 2025. In the meantime, Pension Trustees have decreased minister accrued benefits by reducing the multiplier on the FAS from 1.46% for service between 1985 to 2010 and to only 1.3% for service in 2011 and beyond--an 11% reduction in benefits.
Posted in: Greener Grass
Thanks for the reminder to open my eyes, Noman. Well-written and well-said.
Posted in: Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing
It seem to me that there was someone else who wanted to identify "the main thing" by asking Jesus to define it. Jesus reply was that there were 2 things that were the main thing: love God and love your neighbour (Matthew 22:34-40). Social Justice/Earth Care is the main thing. Just like evangelism is the main thing. To abandon either is to proclaim an incomplete gospel.
Posted in: Sharing Symposium
I really appreciated the workship on preaching by Frank Thomas. I find that some of the best sermons are ones that grab hold of my attention like a well written story with a good beginnign to hook my attention, a problem that needs to be sorted out or solved, and the satisfying resolution. Thomas added another element--Celebration. I'm still processing what that means and how it can be included in the sermon or if it is included already in worship by the song of response. I loved this focus on celebration as it helps us to live into the life that we are given by Christ. Hmm...still thinking about it.