2026 Keystone Conference Compensation Guidelines
Dear Friends,
Among the many actions of the second meeting of the Keystone Board, Keystone Clergy Compensation Guidelines were approved. An enormous amount of work was required to merge the compensation principles, practices, and varied economic realities from across that state. We believe we succeeded in doing so.
The cornerstone of these guidelines is the covenantal relationship between pastor and church. In this relationship, the pastor pledges to care for the spiritual and administerial needs of the congregation and the congregation in turn pledges to care for both the spiritual and temporal needs of the pastor. An important part of these temporal needs is a just wage consistent with the standard of living where the congregation ministers.
Some churches will compensate their clergy beyond these standards. Others will be hard pressed to meet even the basic salary level. The resources of each congregation are different. All communities are expected to grow in every way that builds up the Body of Christ—spiritually, affectionately, numerically, and financially. Churches and pastors are strongly encouraged to work together so that in their growth, aligning with these guidelines moves from priority to possibility. Please read the introductory paragraphs carefully and do not hesitate to contact the Chair of your Association’s Committee on Ministry with questions or concerns.
With the Peace of Christ,
Bill, Bonnie, Carrie, David
Keystone Compensation Guidelines 2026
Keystone Compensation Guidelines Worksheet
Pennsylvania Southeast Conference Compensation Guidelines
2025 Clergy Compensation Guidelines
Clergy Compensation Worksheet: In the most recent format recommended by PSEC for a Call Agreement, the compensation figures are detailed on an attached page. This allows for easy updates each year when compensation and benefits rates may change. Whether you have that version of the Call Agreement or an older format, the Clergy Compensation Worksheet may be a useful tool to calculate the pastor’s compensation package. You can download a .doc version of that worksheet here: Clergy Compensation Worksheet. If you have any questions about Call Agreements in PSEC, please contact Assistant for Search and Call Brea Rarick at brea@psec.org.
