Pathways to Renewal

How it works

By supporting calls to ministers and candidates for ordination younger than age 40, Pathways to Renewal provides hope of renewed leadership to small congregations and help for innovative ministries in congregations of all sizes.

This innovative dues incentive program offers churches a substantial reduction in dues for ministers enrolled in Pastor’s Participation for the first time. It reduces costs nearly in half, to 21 percent of effective salary (22 percent for 2023) from 37 percent (39 percent for 2023). 

What's included

Pastor’s Participation benefits, designed to meet the health, financial protection, and retirement needs of ministers, include the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• Death and Disability Plan
• Temporary Disability Plan
• PPO medical coverage for family

For ministers enrolled in Pastor's Participation, employers may share in the cost of additional benefits.

Assistance and education programs

Through Pastor's Participation, ministers also have access to important assistance and education programs* that help cultivate wholeness and nurture ministries:

• CREDO
• Board University
• Assistance Program, including Minister Educational Debt Assistance, Minister Debt Relief, Emergency Assistance, Adoption Assistance, Transition-to-College Assistance, and Sabbath Sabbatical Support

*Member must meet eligibility requirements. 

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 (22 percent for 2023):

• 2 percent for pension
• 1 percent for death and disability
• 18 percent (19 percent for 2023) 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.

Eligibility

Both the church and the called candidate or minister must meet certain criteria.

Churches

To qualify, a congregation must

• have 150 or fewer members, and have not had an installed pastor for at least two years or 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 enrolled in Pastor’s Participation in the Benefits Plan of the PC(USA).

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.