Commission on Equitable Compensation

Introduction:

1.    When financial challenges dictate, congregations of the Susquehanna Conference may apply for funding from the Commission on Equitable Compensation in order to meet full time Pastors’ minimum salary requirements and/or a clearly defined missional opportunity.
2.    This application is designed to help congregations carefully study their own financial reality, viability, and potential. It is part of a cooperative venture between the Bishops and Cabinet, Susquehanna Conference Office of Equipping Vital Congregation, and the Commission on Equitable compensation.
3.    The application may also be a time for a congregation to assess, develop and declare their vision for (re)vitalization.
4.    Because this application is a request for funding, the required supporting data demonstrates the fiduciary responsibilities assumed by all parties.
5.    Upon submission of an application, additional information may be requested by the District Superintendent or the Commission on Equitable Compensation.
6.    Applications are due November 1st

Essential Equitable Compensation Grant Policies

1.    The maximum amount given to each charge is 12% of the current required minimum salary for your pastor.
2.    Churches may apply for step-down funding over a three-year period, with a reduction of the original grant amount in the 2nd and 3rd years.
3.    Future grants are not guaranteed; application must be made each year.
4.    A church merger or charge re-alignment will reset a 3-year plan.

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District

Charge Name

Church Contact Info*

Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) Chair*

Name

First NameLast Name

Clergy relationship with the Annual Conference

Total years of service

Start date of current appt

Date

Pastor’s minimum base salary per Annual Conference action (without Social Security offset) (i.e., without Social Security offset). Enter the amount from your 2026 Charge Conference FORM 6, line B6

Negotiated base salary (FORM 6, line C1 proposed)

from end-of-year, last 5 years (use a separate form for each church, if necessary)

	2025 (year-to-date)	2024	2023	2022	2021
Past Grants from CEC
Avg. weekly worship Attendance (in person/online)
Indebtedness
What % of pastoral support (salary) is your church paying?
Support for other staff
Total Expenditures
No. Giving Units
Total Receipts, general fund
Total Receipts, other sources and projects
Funding from other UM sources (conference, general church, other grants…)
Percentage Shares of Ministry
Percentage direct billing (benefits) paid
Funds in reserve (e.g, building funds, mission funds, endowments, investments…)
Give accounts, any restrictions/classifications, and amounts (Designated accounts) Enter Totals for each year, attach detailed breakdown in attachment if necessary.

Required Supporting Documentation:

(submit forms and documents for each church and charge where applicable)

1. End-of-year Treasurer’s Report for the last 3 years
2. Current Year-to-date Treasurer’s Report
3. Current Year Budget
4. End-of-Year Audit for the last 3 years
5. Vital Signs Report of the last 12 months
6. What other staff do you now pay? (state positions and amounts)

Required Supporting Documentation to be Submitted: (Please submit for each church and Charge where applicable)

Share your Vision Statement

Assess your Strengths / Weaknesses / Opportunities / Threats

Describe your mission area (Use insights from your missioninsite report)

In a paragraph, describe/explain your strategy for making disciples

Give a brief summary of the measurable goals accomplished to date as reflected in Evangelism, Worship, and Outreach

Explain your stewardship/planned giving campaign (used or will use)

How will your campaign challenge each member to accept tithing or proportional giving?

What connections do you have with the conference Susquehanna Conference Office of Equipping Vital Congregation (past, present, future)

Grant Amount Requested

Churches: Make sure your application is complete. Do not skip any items.
The Pastor and the SPRC Chair must sign the form before submitting the application to the District Office. Make sure you have attached all the supporting documents listed BEFORE sending it to your District Office (Superintendent and the administrative assistant (AA). Your District Office must receive your completed application by November 1. The District Superintendent will provide his/her input and forward the application to the Commission on Equitable Compensation.

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS: Please fully describe your support or concerns of this application. What is your view of the charge’s life stage and trends? Would a grant make this charge merely viable, or vital?

SPRC Chair

SPRC Name

SPRC Email

Pastor

Pastor Name

Pastor Email

Conference Superintendent

CS Name

CS Email

Enter the E-mail of the other signatory here (Pastor or SPRC Chair) if the second person is not with you when filling out the form

example@example.com

Is the form completed (including both signatures) and ready to be submitted to your Superintendent?

Yes

Superintendents: Is the form completed? (make sure to submit application by November 15, 2025)

Yes

Name*

First NameLast Name

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Email address*

example@example.com

Please verify that you are human*

Commission on Equitable Compensation

Basic Church Info

Pastor Data

Church/Charge Data

Required Supporting Documentation:

Church Ministry

Signatures:

Who is filling out this form?