How Much do Bishops Make?

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2004

Answers

It's funny that you would ask that question. It is as if you were reading my mind. The current BASE salary, according to the 2000 Discipline, began at a guaranteed $54,000 per year in 2000, with increases every year through 2004 to $59,000, with an increase pending this year. It is also interesting that you would ask that question because at the General Conference, Dr. Jayme Coleman Williams went on the floor of the General Conference, requesting that a committee be formed and/or a task force be formed with the purposes of discussing an increase in the Bishop's salary "to that of CEO level" because in her opinion, and in the opinion of many AME's Bishop's have the same responsibilities as CEO's and they should be paid accordingly. It was also mentioned that paying Bishop's commensurate with that of a CEO will end the need for churches to paid hefty honorariums to bishops if and when they speak at their churches. It was also mentioned that increasing the salary would decrease the underground offerrings that occur. (When I find the full text of Ms. Coleman William's speech, I will post it). I just find it really interesting that there is a need to increase an already guaranteed salary for Bishops, yet no discussion on the floor of the general conference was raised about the fact that AME pastors have no guarantee salary. Even the pastor's salary suppliment was discontinued due to a lack of financial support on behalf of the denomination. I am just a little bit concerned. God bless.

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2004

Even with a salary increase to that of a CEO (which varies greatly depending upon the company/ministry of which one is the CEO), there would still be the honoraria and "love gifts" for the bishops as long as such is not expressly forbidden...which would not be a good thing.

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2004

This is a bit tricky. Ten years ago I earned more than the Bishops base annual pay. However, I couldn't command a minimum $1,000 for every economic lecture I gave outside of my primary employer. Good for Jammye Williams to bring up the topic of salary structure for the Bishoprick. Several years ago Robert Matthews and I initiated a thread which focused on raising the Bishops pay scale. It was an outgrowth of looking at fiscal reform for our Connection by raising an additional %50-$100 million dollars. The concept which I used in defense of raising the Bishops pay was based on CEO compensation. It was also stressed on that old thread that paying Bishops like a CEO (my proposal was $250k) should eliminate the "free will offerings" and other miscellaneous honoraria achurches must fork up when a Bishop pays a visit. Now I could care less if Dr. Williams "borrowed" the Matthews-Dickens idea. It can't stop at the Bishops level. Pastors in small charges are deserving of a substantial increase in salary as well. QED

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2004

Well stated Brother Dickens. I would add that if the bishops are to be paid as CEOs then they must be accountable as CEOs and produce as CEOs.

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2004

I can't believe a Bishop's salary is only about $60,000.00/yr. I thought it was at least $100,000. Is there an additional amount for housing or is that included? I strongly believe Bishops should be paid more; hopefully this would eliminate the need to "lift a offering" or have an honorarium for the Bishop to address his congregation. How much do you think Bishops really bring in per year with "other" income?

-- Anonymous, July 28, 2004

Great question and Great responses. I must confess that I have always subscribed to the Matthews-Dickens proposal for payment and the Consolidated Banking proposal submitted (but unfortunately lost)allowed for just that amount of pay. I also believe that there should be a minimum pay for pastors and a graduated scale as they develop. The first and most important issue is to relieve the assessment burden on the local Churches. This helps significantly in reaching this goal. Second there must be at least two new forms in revenue streams within the Church (also included in the proposal)so as to increase the financial pool while loosening the weight on the local Church.

While the GC 2004 did not appear to focus much in this regard it still has value and should be considered.

-- Anonymous, July 29, 2004

Kirk, as you noticed, I said that the BASE salary is approximately $60,000. Correct me if I am wrong, but with all of the fringe benefits (housing, staff, retirement), I think it is well over $100,000. It is somewhere listed in the 2000 Discipline. Mine is still packed in my trunk from Indianapolis. God bless.

-- Anonymous, July 29, 2004

How much would Paul and the apostles have made in today's dollars? How about the thousands of martyrs and other carriers of the cross? Ok, maybe that's not fair since how could one say? Maybe the Sanhedrin is a better measure, since its well documented and the wealth and position of its members are well known.

In His Service,

-- Anonymous, July 29, 2004

I believe from discussion of retirement and salary of ecumenical officer the total package for a presiding prelate is around $180k annually. Keep in mind this includes the salary of an administrative assistant, travel, and lease of office space. What it does not include is the honorariums paid by units inside and outside the district.

On another subject regarding base salary for itinerate elders. This is an issue that Bishop McKinley Young attempted to answer in the 10th District. His response was to consolidate smaller rural churches in order to eliminate so many circuit ministries. The reasoning behind this is that he insists on the education of his clergy and seminary training. You can't expect for one to make such a commitment and not be accomodated sufficiently.

I am not clergy, but I do understand the commitment pastors are required to make to their church first hand. An appropriate salary for full-time pastors is only fair.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2004

I was present when Ms. Coleman Williams presented her proposal. It is interesting that her proposal is not new, but borrowed from Dickens-Matthews. My concern with the proposal is not increasing the Bishop's salary. A workman IS worthy of their hire. Bishops (AND PASTORS) should be compensated equitably and fairly. However, my concern is the rationale for increasing the Bishops salary. The rationale is that the increase will decrease "extra curricular" activities, extra offerings, underground offerings, etc. So in essence, the hope is to increase the Bishop's salary's so that they will stop inappropriate behavior (misappropriation of funds, extra offerrings, etc.). The problem with this rationale is this: why would Bishop's have any incentive to stop a long held practice? The logic doesn't hold that in order to stop suspicious, underground behavior that you give the participants more funds, in hope that they will "do the right thing". True reform comes from making the Bishops accountable for the GUARANTEED funds that they do receive, begin to alleviate the burden on local pastors, have a professional wage across the board, including a guaranteed, professional compensation package, supported by the connectional church, for every Itinerant Elder that is serving a local charge. Once every Itinerant elder is at an equitable level, then you can begin discussing raises and increased compensation. If you increase the Bishops salary, in the hopes that they will stop "taxing" the people, yet ignore the local pastors, the situation is going to get increasingly worse. I believe that the first step in economic reform comes from making sure that local pastors have a just and fair compensation package, based on their preparation and education. Secondly, Bishops have to be held accountable for the funds they receive and manage. Their needs to be a system in place to rule out graft and greed and misappropriation of funds. The laity must become militant and politically active in holding the leadership, who are guilty, accountable. What's done in the dark must come to light. Once the episcopal office has confessed, has been forgiven and the honor and dignity of the episcopal office is restored, while simultaneously, local pastors are being compensated fairly, once those two initiatives are implemented, then and only then, can cost of living and equitable, increased bonus packages for Bishops be discussed. A Bishop is just an elected, itinerant elder. It is not a different ordination. So if you increase the Bishop's salary, then you have to implement a guaranteed salary package for the pastors, including cost of living increases. This currently does not exist.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2004

This could be another issue we could take some lead from UMC. The connectional church pays each pastor a base salary based upon their level of ministry. This helps absorb some of the restraint from the local church.

Many posts ago we discussed the purpose of the presiding elder. This middle management position could be alleviated in several districts and conferences. Too many are paid tax collectors and that is there ONLY purpose.

I am in full agreement that paid, professionally trained economists should be hired by the connection to develop, implement, and oversee such a plan.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2004

Carolyn opines -

"I am in full agreement that paid, professionally trained economists should be hired by the connection to develop, implement, and oversee such a plan."

Are you suggesting that I quit my day job in order to implement a salary reform plan? :-) QED

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2004

Not for free. I believe that one such as yourself should be gainfully employed by the AME church to do such a thing.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2004

Thank you so much Brother Antonio. How does the reform begin? Where does it start?

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2004

I really don't understand why so many Lay AMEs recommend increasing the salary of bishop of the church when there are so many pastors who must take a full-time job in the secular world to provide for the family. It seems to me that full-time pastors would cause church growth to increase and the all AME staff would be able to be paid salaries in accordance with their traing and experience. In other words, from the bottom up. Be Blessed

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2004

Rev. Al has a valid point.

-- Anonymous, August 04, 2004

I totally agree, Rev. Al. I have been saying that for the last 5-10 years or so, but to no avail. God bless.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2004