Shared Ministry Program

The Shared Ministry Program encourages Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations to covenant to create sustainable pastoral positions. New for 2025, the program provides dues subsidies for benefits, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

The Shared Ministry Program is a new dues incentive program through the Board of Pensions for pastors when two or more congregations desire to work together to call full-time pastoral leadership. A departure from the traditional ministry model, it helps ministry to flourish and sustains it for the long term.

The program is designed and supported through covenant agreements among the congregations, minister(s), and presbytery. These covenants are important so that congregations fully discuss all aspects of coming together for a shared ministry. When congregations covenant, they enter into a five-year dues subsidy program with the Board. With guidance from the presbytery, leaders from each congregation interested in pursuing a shared ministry should have honest and open conversations about the relationship.

Please note this is not a yoked situation. Each congregation maintains its own identity, building, budget, and session.

If you are interested in the Shared Ministry Program, here are some questions to consider and a sample model for engagement.

What it provides

The Shared Ministry Program helps realize the promise of vital and flourishing ministry by bringing benefits support to both congregations and pastors throughout a five-year dues subsidy.

Dues subsidies for congregations

Participating congregations receive a dues subsidy of the cost of benefits for one or more pastors, as follows:

  • Years 1-3: 50% subsidy of benefit dues, up to a maximum of $10,000 per call, per year
  • Year 4: two-thirds of the subsidy received in the third year
  • Year 5: one-third of the subsidy received in the fourth year

Here is how subsidies for each year are calculated:

Years 1-3
Year 4
Year 5
Benefits dues for pastor
x .50
= subsidy (up to $10,000)
Subsidy in third year
x 2/3
= subsidy
Subsidy in fourth year
x 1/3
= subsidy

Subsidies are limited to benefit dues and may not be used to pay salary, housing, or post-retirement dues. For ministers enrolled in the Covenant Package, a provision must be made for medical coverage, whether it is provided through a spouse’s employment, a state exchange, or another government program such as TRICARE.

Benefits for ministers

Ministers are enrolled in the Congregational Pastors Package, the Covenant PackageTransitional Pastor's Participation, or Benefits Plan Offerings, depending on position, benefits needs, and eligibility criteria, and receive access to assistance and education programs through the Board of Pensions. These programs support wholeness and help ministers bring their best gifts to ministry.

Who’s eligible

The Shared Ministry Program is designed for:

  • ministers of Word and Sacrament who serve in congregational settings
  • PC(USA) congregations with vitality and a vision for the future

Pastoral positions created by shared ministries:

  • may be installed or non-installed
  • ideally will be full time in nature
  • may be configured between small congregations or, in some cases, between a larger congregation sharing, for example, an associate pastor with a nearby small congregation

Part-time calls may be considered for those working at least 20 hours per week, which is required for benefits enrollment. Current split services are not eligible.


How to get started

If you are interested in participating in the Shared Ministry Program and know of or are looking for a partnering congregation, contact your presbytery. The Church Consultant for your region can assist with program information and the covenant and registration process.