Rules and Resources for Ministry Associate

(Titles, Moving, Retirement, Insurance, Taxes and Salary)

The CRC denominational Candidacy Committee, in its 2007 report to synod, called the church to give the office of Ministry Associate “more use, more status, and more support”. This goal was offered in the context of the decision to return to a more historical use of Article 7 entry into ordination of Minister of the Word, and to utilize Article 23 as the route to ministry for those who do not have the academic training required for ordination as Minister of the Word.

Over the past four years the Candidacy Committee has spoken to a number of persons ordained as Ministry Associates and a number of leaders of LDNs (Leadership Development Networks which offer training that has equipped a number of those ordained as Ministry Associates). In addition, the Candidacy Committee has taken careful note of the comments made at synod during the past four years and the proposals offered on behalf of Ministry Associates.

A variety of issues have been identified. What follows is a number of areas in which clarification of the rules and resources pertaining to Ministry Associates may be helpful.

1. Title of the Office

Numerous concerns have been raised over the very title of the office that is being used. “Ministry Associate” feels to some to be a “2nd class” designation. The former title, “Evangelist”, has been described by some as more Biblical and more authenticating.

The Candidacy Committee first reminds the churches that all offices, according to our church order, “differ from each other only in mandate and task, not in dignity and honor” (Church order Article 2). This is a matter of biblical and polity principle for the Christian Reformed Church, and misperceptions to the contrary must be so identified and challenged. Just as the office of deacon is no longer viewed in most circles as a second class elder, but as a distinct office with a different focus than the office of elder, the church must squarely challenge negative misperceptions of the office of ministry associate.

The Candidacy Committee also would like to observe that “Ministry Associate” and “Minister of the Word” are both only church order terms. In practice the churches use a variety of other terms to designate those serving in pastoral and staff roles: i.e. Pastor, Reverend, Evangelist, Chaplain, Pastor of Education, Pastor of Youth, Minister of Congregational Life. The reality is that local classes, congregations, and communities develop their own language to describe both “Ministers of the Word” and “Ministry Associates”.

This is in keeping with the intent of Synod, as stated in the Acts of Synod 2001 (506):

“The office of evangelist [term used in 2001] may be understood to have the character of pastoral extension. Evangelists extend the work of pastoral leadership by founding and working in new congregations and by extending the ministry of organized congregations into specialized areas, including, but not limited to, youth ministry, education, pastoral care, worship, and evangelism (Cf. Church Order Article 24). By the broader application of the office of evangelist, with its existing regulations, to a variety of ministry positions, the church avoids the multiplication of offices and provides a way of recognizing and regulating a variety of pastoral positions in our churches. These ministry positions may be identified by titles that indicate their ministry distinctiveness such as chaplain, pastor of education, pastor of youth, minister of congregational life, and so forth.”

2. Moving from Classis to Classis

Concerns have been raised regarding the need for a new classical examination for Ministry Associates who move from classis to classis. Those ordained in the office of Minister of the Word may move throughout the denomination without being re-examined, but Ministry Associates require a new examination each they take a new position.

It is important to observe that a new congregation, ministry or classis calling a Ministry Associate from another congregation, ministry or classis is entitled to such a reexamination, not only as a matter of church order regulation but of principle. By definition, a Ministry Associate is ordained to, and judged to be qualified for, a particular ministry. A different church and classis must thoroughly discern whether a Ministry Associate is qualified to serve in a different congregation and often a different role. A new congregation and classis contemplating the call of a Ministry Associate is only being responsible in making a fresh assessment of a Ministry Associate’s qualification for this new congregation and position.

However, the committee also wishes to point out that the wording of the Church Order allows for classis discretion in this area. Note this statement in Church Order Supplement, Article 23-a:

“Before examining a person for the office of ministry associate or granting permission to install a previously ordained ministry associate in a new position, the classis, with the concurring advice of synodical deputies, will determine whether or not the position to which the person is being called fits the guidelines adopted by Synod 2001. In addition, the candidates for the office of ministry associate must have proven ability to function in the ministry to which they are being called.” [Words underlined only for this report]

In practice, many classes have accepted as sufficient the examination of a “previously ordained ministry associate.” In these cases the reputation of that person, the similarity of the ministry positions, and/or the recommendation of the previous ministry and classis have been judged by the classis as strong enough to merit no further local examination.

The Candidacy Committee judges that the reexamination requirement, when balanced with the freedom to forgo the examination under certain circumstances, gives congregations and classes the proper balance of due diligence and flexibility as they contemplate calling a Ministry Associate from another ministry setting.

3. Retirement Plans

In current practice, Ministers of the Word as well as Ministry Associates need to negotiate both insurance and retirement plans with their congregations and sponsoring ministries. In this sense, “equity” in our policies and regulations in this area between those ordained as Ministry Associates and Ministers of the Word already exists.

While the denomination has a retirement plan for Ministers of the Word, local congregations and ministries are encouraged to create a pension plan for those ordained as Ministry Associates (and any non-ordained staff working 20 or more hours per week). A number of options are available for Ministry Associates and the ministries that support them. In the US these include IRA plans and 403b plans. In Canada these include RRSPs (Registered Retirement Savings Plans). Such plans are “defined contribution plans” (as opposed to the “defined benefit plan” in place for Ministers of the Word) and, in the opinion of many, actually have advantages for the participant because of this.

A suggested contribution to such a plan is 10% of the offered salary and housing allowance, within limits allowed by the law. For the sake of reference it can be noted that the RCA recommendation to churches is 11%, and the CRC denomination, for its staff, contributes 6% of salary plus up to a 4% match for a total of 10%.

Minister Associates and representatives of the ministries that support them are welcome to contact the CRCNA pension office. Contact Sheri Laninga, 616-224-0722 (pension@crcna.org). She will be happy to provide advice and resources in setting up a Ministry Associate pension plan.

4. Insurance Plans

As was stated above, in current practice Ministers of the Word as well as Ministry Associates need to negotiate both insurance and retirement plans with their congregations and sponsoring ministries. As churches and ministries seek to support their ordained Ministry Associates by providing a health care insurance plan there may be local resources and plans that prove to be very beneficial. Information about the denominational insurance plans available for those ordained as Ministry Associates can be obtained by contacting the Personnel Office of the CRCNA. Call Becky Gonzalez at 1-877-279-9994 x. 6881; email: bgonzalez@crcna.org.

5. Tax Benefits

Concerns have been raised that Ministers of the Word have benefits with the IRS and Revenue Canada that Ministry Associates do not have, or are not aware of. As a matter of fact, in the policies of the IRS and Revenue Canada, ordination is the key factor, not the ordination called “Minister of the Word”.

Our denominational office, through the Director of Finance and Administration, John Bolt, is happy to consult with and give guidance to any ministry that wants to know how to best make use of the tax benefits that pertain to their Ministry Associate or Minister of the Word. Their material is available on request.

6. Salary Scale

Concerns have been raised that Ministry Associates are “under-paid” and “under-valued.” The same concerns have been raised for Ministers of the Word. Synod has repeatedly exhorted the churches to adequately pay their pastors. The official letter of call for Ministers of the Word speaks of churches offering salary to pastors “knowing that laborers are worthy of their hire, to encourage you in the discharge of your duties, and to free you from material needs while you are ministering God’s Word to us…” Synod spoke to this issue as recently as 2004 when it defined proper support this way: “Proper support of a church’s minister is to include an adequate salary, medical insurance, a housing provision, payment to the denomination’s minister’s pension plan, a continuing education stipend, and other employment-related items” (Acts of Synod 2004, p. 611).

Although these particular exhortations apply to those serving as Ministers of the Word, the principle behind these exhortations also applies to those serving as Ministry Associates, especially those in full time service. Since educational requirements for Ministers of the Word exceed those of Ministry Associates, it is likely and defensible that the pay scales will vary some between the two. However, this does not justify the underpaying of Ministry Associates. The church is called to provide a “living wage” for Ministers of the Word and Ministry Associates alike.