The Committee on Ministry published the following guidelines (January, 2007): 

The following amounts for recommended compensation are “minimum” and churches are encouraged to pay more. Ministers are encouraged to contribute to the offerings at Sunday worship services they lead and may choose to waive part or all compensation. Churches unable to meet these recommended guidelines are encouraged to apply to the COM for assistance.

1. The Committee on Ministry of New Castle Presbytery recommends a minimum compensation of $125 for a guest preacher which should be supplemented by an additional mileage reimbursement if the minister must travel more than 50 miles round trip to your church [$175 if there are two services]. Large churches (i.e. above 300 in worship) should provide a compensation of $150 and $200 if there are two services. Reimbursement for mileage in excess of 50 miles round trip should be added.

2. A Presbyterian seminary has established the compensation for seminarians filling pulpits between $125 and $150, plus IRS approved business mileage rate.

3. Presbytery Staff members do not expect honoraria when they preach in worship services when the pastor is present or the pastor is away doing denominational service.

4. Ministers officiating at sacraments (Baptism and Lord’s Supper), ordination and installation services for elders and deacons when they are not preaching in the service should be provided a compensation of $50 for one service or $75 for two services plus mileage at the IRS approved business rate.

5. Training of church officers, baptismal instruction for parents and other educational work should be compensated at $50 per session plus mileage at the IRS approved business rate.

6. Ministers officiating at weddings should be compensated for a total of $150 for the rehearsal and wedding service plus $50 for each premarital counseling session. The 216th (2004) General Assembly report on Transforming Families encouraged all ministers to be trained in using premarital counseling resources like Prepare/Enrich.

7. Ministers officiating at funerals/memorial services should be compensated at $100, or $50 for a committal service, and be supplemented by an additional mileage reimbursement if the minister must travel more than 50 miles round trip for the committal service.

8. Churches should consider compensating $40 per meeting for appointed Session/Congregational Moderators. The Committee on Ministry will continue to cover the mileage expense at IRS approved business mileage rate for moderators.

To whom should you offer compensation? Compensation should be provided to any minister filling your pulpit on any occasion when he/she is there in the absence of the installed pastor or at the convenience of the church and/or the installed pastor. Exceptions would be when a minister is in your pulpit at the request of the institution, program, or church agency whose cause is being represented and whose presence has been requested by that agency, institution, or cause. Example: If your minister is to be on vacation and you request the director of Presbyterian Homes to preach, compensation is to be provided. If, on the other hand, the Presbyterian Homes request the opportunity for a representative to be heard in your pulpit on behalf of the institution, there would be no compensation provided.

Please note the IRS approval mileage compensation is $.55 per mile (as of January 2009).

If you have further questions concerning pastoral services and honoraria, please call the New Castle Presbytery Office (302-366-0595) and we find answers for you. These recommendations are effective January 1, 2007.