Official notice: LCMS salary information (Nov. 2020)

The Synod’s policy of full financial disclosure provides for making available to members of the Synod (congregations, pastors, teachers and others on the roster), on written request, the salary grid scales of all Synod and district officials, staff and faculty members of the Concordia University System, and International Center staff.

The reported salaries are as of the date of publication. Officers and staff are responsible for providing their own housing. In addition to salaries, the Synod pays 100% of the Concordia Plan Services premium for the employee and provides a housing differential equal to 5% of salary for lay employees in classes SM–9. The president receives an allowance for additional expenses.

The LCMS Board of Directors’ compensation philosophy is simple: In striving to be good stewards of the dollars entrusted to us, we shall pay fair salaries in a fashion that rewards performance and enables our attracting, motivating and retaining high-quality employees.

The term “fair” shall be interpreted as fair pay based on (1) the employee’s role within corporate Synod, (2) our striving to offer compensation at or within 10% of the market value of the job held (using not-for-profit standards to define the market value), and (3) the incumbent’s performance in the position.

To ensure that salaries are aligned with the nonprofit market value, the LCMS Department of Human Resources conducts an annual benchmark analysis. Additional research on the officer-level positions affirms the Board of Directors’ compensation philosophy to pay fair salaries.

In accordance with Board of Directors Policy Manual Section 5.6.6.6, the Board approves the salaries of the Synod’s officers. This year was done slightly differently. At its May 2020 meeting, the Board approved a spending plan for the first quarter of FY21 that included no salary increase, including for the officers. Then, at its September meeting, the Board approved a plan for the full year of FY21, again with no salary increase for anyone. (Technically, there were two budgets passed, each with no salary increase.)

Additional information — including salary grid scales of all Synod and district officials, staff and faculty members — is available to congregations, pastors and rostered teachers by written request to Val Rhoden-Kimbrough, Executive Director of Human Resources, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7295.

Base salaries at point of publication

Position

Actual

President

$260,150

First Vice-President

$186,478

Secretary

$186,485

Chief Administrative Officer

$186,485

Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer

Vacant

Chief Mission Officer

$186,485

Posted Nov. 2, 2020