Home >Finance >Salary Guidelines

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.

Login Screen for LCMS Church Tool

Login Screen for LCMS School Tool

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.

Bible Study

CPS Decision Support Tool FAQ

Tutorial Video for Church Tool

Tutorial Video for School Tool

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 December 2021 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 $50
  • Preaching – One Service $125
  • Presiding and Preaching $175
  • Additional Services $75
  • Bible Study / Presentation $75/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.

Download a pdf copy of these recommendations here. 

Pre-2021 Salary Guidelines Worksheet