Churches average about 50% of their budget on staff (both salary and benefits combined). But some churches cover staff costs in a very lean 30% or less of their budget. Is that your church? Or maybe you know a church like that? If so, please contact me as I'm gathering ideas for a workshop I'm leading on this subject at the www.XPastor.com conference for executive pastors on 2/3/10. Email warren.bird@leadnet.org or phone 845-368-4379.
Warren Bird, Ph.D., is Research Director at Leadership Network, and co-author of 21 books on various aspects of church health and innovation.
It's not mine...but man, I wish it was!
Posted by: Dan Smith | November 18, 2009 at 10:21 PM
I think you have to ask a lot of questions for a church with that low % of budget for salaries. How is that accomplished? Recently I came across a church that cut job descriptions and hours for both exempt and non exempt positions, but built in expectation for "volunteer hours" as part of the job. I've also seen salaries spread across departments and not kept in one segment of the budget. I'm sure whatever you have planned will be a thoughtful and intentional approach. Be blessed.
Posted by: RobinMArnold | November 22, 2009 at 06:54 PM
The last church where I was Executive Pastor staffed for growth, spent 65% of the budget on salaries and grew 20-25% every year for 9 years. When we went into a building program, staff budget dropped to under 50% and growth lowered to under 10% per year. I know other factors also affected this, but having staff to equip and empower people was a key factor in our growth.
Posted by: Ron Johnson | November 27, 2009 at 09:17 AM