2024 Compensation Guidelines

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Each year the Compensation Team reviews the guidelines for our Rostered Leaders. Each year the team looks at market conditions, benefit rate increases, and when different parts of the guidelines were last updated. The Compensation Team comprises Word and Sacrament, Word and Service, and Lay leaders.

The team recognizes that our leaders are dealing with several additional post-COVID demands, a new “normal” in our congregations, and additional stressors on the ministry and our ministers. One area that makes up a portion of each congregation’s budget is health benefits. The healthcare industry is seeing an average rate increase of 6%. This year Portico has an increase in rates of 3.2%. We also talked about the state of the current economy. This year inflation appears to be around 3.7%.

The Compensation Team recommends a pay increase of 4%. The team hopes that conversations with rostered leaders and their leadership teams will occur to find the best compensation rate that works for the congregation and pastor/deacon. 

Second, the team looked at the guidelines for Supply Pastor pay. The new recommendation is for Supply Pastors to receive $225 for the first service and $50 for each additional service. The team also wanted to reaffirm the current guideline of reimbursing mileage at the IRS rate. At the time of writing, that rate is 65.5 cents per mile. Supply pastors should also be reimbursed for any food or housing costs.

The Compensation Team's thorough review of our Rostered Leaders' guidelines demonstrates a sincere commitment to supporting our dedicated leaders in these challenging times. We understand the extraordinary demands they face post-COVID, the evolving dynamics in our congregations, and the economic factors affecting our budgets. We pray for you – our leaders and congregations – as we continue the work of the Gospel. 

Respectfully,

The Florida-Bahamas Compensation Team

Installations & Ordinations

The installation of Deacon Tara Lentz-Friederichs as Director of Faith Formation at Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Temple Terrace will be held on Sunday, November 5, at 9:30 a.m. Rev. Rob Rose will officiate.

The ordination of Donna C. Batchelor will be held on November 12 at 3 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice. She will be ordained to Word & Sacrament ministry and has accepted the call to serve as Pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Nokomis.

Upcoming Events at Luther Springs!

October 20-22: Journey of Faith - Confirmation

Topic: Worship

Whether you bring youth to an occasional retreat to enhance what they are already learning or if you send youth to each of our retreats to cover all their confirmation learning time, come join us on the journey! Luther Springs' counselors will guide campers through the weekend including worship, Bible study, campfires, games, canoeing, archery, swimming, hiking, and more! Individual campers are welcome, as well as church groups. $185 per youth | $105 per adult

November 10-12: Trailblazers - 1st - 5th Grade

Theme: Bible Exploration

How do we read the Bible? How do we look up a Bible verse? Why is there an Old Testament and a New Testament? During this fun, faith-filled weekend we will explore our Bibles, play games, canoe, do archery, swim (weather permitting), make crafts and enjoy campfires! $180 per youth | $105 per adult

November 10-12: Advent-ure Retreat

Middle and high school youth will enjoy a weekend of camp fun, adventure, activities, and exploring the season of Advent. Each year features a different adventure activity off-site. Our 2023 activity: kayaking off-site on a spring-fed lake. $254 per youth | $105 per adult



Learn more at luthersprings.org.

The JUST Love Ministry Presents: An Advent Journey with Mary

The Just Love team is preparing “An Advent Journey with Mary,” four resources that congregations can use for worship or Bible study during the season of Advent. Each week’s resources will focus on the experiences of Latin Americans in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, and will include recorded conversations, scripture readings, music suggestions from Lutheran hymnals and other resources, a few paragraphs of instructional material, and discussion questions. Click Here to receive these resources.

12 Day Pilgrimage to Greece & Greek Islands

Join Bishop Pedro Suárez and Bishop Yehiel Curry in a 12-day joint synod pilgrimage to Greece and the Greek Islands, June 18-29, 2024. Explore New Testament lands and walk in the footsteps of Paul.

Pilgrimage highlights include:

• Athens city tour (the world-famous Acropolis, Pan-Athenian Stadium & more!)
• 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey
• The ruins of Ephesus where Paul spent three years during his ministry 
• the island of Patmos
• Santorini, Thessalonica, Philippi, Corinth
• And much more!

Click here for more details and to register.

ELCA Foundation Ministry Growth Fund Investor Call - Quarter 3

When: Friday, October 27 | 11:15 a.m. Central time

Where: Zoom webinar

You are invited to our next investor call to learn more about the recent performance of the Ministry Growth Fund. You will hear from representatives from Fund Evaluation Group, the ELCA Foundation’s investment consultant, and from J.P. Morgan, investment manager for private infrastructure within the Ministry Growth Fund. A question-and-answer session will follow.

The event is open to all participants in the Ministry Growth Fund and can be attended by more than one individual representing your organization. Registration is required.

Register Now.

Israel-Hamas War resources and statements

In the past weeks we have borne witness to the horrors of the escalating crisis between Israel and Hamas. In response to the Hamas attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel's declaration of war against Hamas, including the ongoing siege of Gaza, the ELCA offers statements from some of our Lutheran and global partners in the region. Included are ELCA resources for a deeper understanding of the context, the humanitarian crises of the current war, and the ELCA's work for a just peace in Palestine and Israel. Learn more. 

Registration is now open for the ELCA Youth Gathering

Priority registration is now open for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE), the tAble and the Young Adult Gathering! You can save money by registering the majority of your group by Nov. 1. Remember that the earlier you register your group, the better your chances are of having your preferences honored. Register at ELCA.org/gathering. 

In Case You Missed It...

The Thirteenth Assembly of The Lutheran World Federation was held in Kraków, Poland, Sept. 13-19. Worship was an integral part of the assembly, exploring and celebrating the deep and powerful ways in which the Spirit creates, reconciles and renews amid a fragmented world. Access the LWF Assembly worship and Bible study materials or view the recordings of worship at the assembly.

• October 25: Kindling Faith: Luther Colloquy 2023: Luther and Doubt - United Theological Seminary

• November 2: Kindling Faith: Redefining Success - Focusing on small churches - United Theological Seminary

• November 6 & 11: The Stuff You’ve Forgotten Since Seminary: From Compassion Fatigue to Compassion Satisfaction - United Theological Seminary

• November 8: Kindling Faith: Depolarization and Church Advocacy: An Introduction Online Webinar - United Theological Seminary

• November 4-6: Signs Along the Way Discernment Weekend - Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

• November 10-12: Save the date! Florida-Bahamas Women of the ELCA Fall Gathering 

• November 29: Kindling Faith: LGBTQIA2S+ Cultural Competency Training - United Lutheran Seminary

• December 9: Kindling Faith: Sanctuary Church - United Theological Seminary

• September 9-18, 2024: Experience the Holy Land hosted by ALOA - Adult Lutherans Organized for Action