Pathways to Renewal

How it works

​The Board designed Pathways to Renewal to build ministerial leadership for the future of the Church. It reduces Pastor's Participation dues nearly in half, from 37 percent of effective salary to 21 percent. Through Pastor's Participation, ministers have access to Presbyterian CREDO and may be eligible for Minister Educational Debt Assistance, totaling $5,000 a year for up to five years.

Eligibility

Churches

To qualify, a congregation must

• have 150 or fewer members and not had an installed pastor for at least two years and not elected a Pastor Nominating Committee; or
• have any size membership and expand ministerial headcount.

Candidates or ministers

The minister being called through Pathways to Renewal must

• be under age 40;
• be either a candidate for ordination or an ordained minister of the Word and Sacrament; and
• not have been previously covered under Pastor’s Participation in the Benefits Plan.

Costs

Churches receive a substantial reduction in dues for ministers they enroll in Pastor’s Participation through Pathways to Renewal. Dues total 21 percent of effective salary:

• 2 percent for pension
• 1 percent for death and disability
• 18 percent for medical (two-thirds of standard medical dues, with a minimum medical dues rate of $6,000)

The dues discount runs five years or until the end of the employment relationship, whichever comes first.

Application

To apply for Pathways to Renewal or for additional information on qualifying for the program, call the Board of Pensions at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN) to speak with a service representative.