Benefits grants for organizing pastors and evangelists

Many communities served by organizing pastors and evangelists (church job code 301) face economic challenges. It may not be feasible to provide comprehensive benefits for their ministers through the Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

To support the PC(USA)’s evangelism efforts, the Board is offering presbyteries that employ these ministers a limited number of grants to fund the cost of enrolling them in Pastor’s Participation. Pastor’s Participation includes family medical, pension, Retirement Savings Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and death and disability coverage.

The cost to the presbytery for this coverage is free for the first three years, with a reduction through year five.

Who’s eligible

For a presbytery to be eligible for the grant, the minister must

• be employed by the presbytery in church job code 301 for no less than 20 hours per week;
• have an effective salary that is less than the congregational ministers' median ($60,800 for 2020);
• not currently be enrolled in Pastor’s Participation and not have been enrolled for Pastor’s Participation in this employment relationship, or with this employer, for at least two years before enrollment in this grant program; and
• not have initiated a retirement benefit with the Board of Pensions.

How it works

The presbytery applies for the grant during the application period.

The grant and payment process is as follows:

• The grant and dues will be established at minimum participation levels for Pastor’s Participation.
• The grant will be issued as a credit to the presbytery’s monthly bill for benefits, which will show the cost of Pastor’s Participation for the approved individual.
• The grant covers the full cost of enrollment in Pastor’s Participation the first three years the individual qualifies, two-thirds of the cost in the fourth year, and one-third in the fifth year, as shown in the chart.

How to apply

Application dates for 2020 will be announced in the near future.

The presbytery completes the Organizing Pastors and Evangelists Enrollment Grant Application and submits it to the Board of Pensions during the application period.

The process requires a review and endorsement by the Committee on Ministry, as indicated on the application.