Salary Guidelines
This page is intended to be a resource, providing guidance for Lutheran congregations on the LCMS salary guidelines. It includes links to the Concordia Plan Services (CPS) Compensation Decision Support Tool and pdf files of salary guidelines for previous years, as well as a salary guideline worksheet utilized for the salary guidelines prior to 2021.
The Board of Directors for the Indiana District has approved the use of the Concordia Plan Services (CPS) Compensation Decision Support Tool as the Indiana District Salary Guidelines beginning January 1, 2021 and moving forward. The Decision Support Tool is updated annual by CPS with a goal of having the Tool updated by the end of January each year.
To learn more about the tool, visit Concordia Plans Compensation Support Tools.
Helpful Salary Information
The following links are provided for additional support and information, as it pertains to the salary guidelines. Please take the time to read and / or view each of these links as they can be beneficial in considering worker compensation from a biblical perspective or in receiving practical explanations with regard to the CPS Decision Support Tool.
Indiana District – LCMS Vacation, Holiday, and Days off Recommendations – Approved December 2024
While the Board of Directors of the Indiana District approved the use of the Concordia Plan Services
(CPS) Compensation Decision Support Tool as the Indiana District Salary Guidelines beginning in Janaury
of 2021, there is a continual effort to engage in discussion on other guidelines where a more specific
recommendation is appropriate.
The Board of Directors of the Indiana District evaluated and approved the following recommendation
with regard to Vacations, Holidays and Days off at their meeting in December 2024.
Download a pdf copy of these recommendations here.
Pulpit Supply & Vacancy Recommendations
While the Board of Directors of the Indiana District approved the use of the Concordia Plan Services (CPS) Compensation Decision Support Tool as the Indiana District Salary Guidelines beginning in January of 2021, there is still a continual effort to evaluate other guidelines where a more specific recommendation is appropriate.
At their May 2026 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Indiana District – LCMS approved the following recommendation for Pulpit Supply and Vacancy situations.
Pulpit Supply
- Presiding – No Sermon $75
- Preaching – One Service $150
- Presiding and Preaching $225
- Additional Services $100
- Bible Study / Presentation $100/hour
- Mileage IRS Rate
- Lodging & Meals Paid if overnight stay is deemed necessary
Vacancies
The recommendation for a vacancy pastor is to receive compensation based on the Concordia Plan Services Decision Support Tool, prorated based upon the specific role, hours, services requested, etc., and agreed upon by the pastor and the congregation. Reimbursement for mileage should fall in line with the recommendation above.