Study finds decline in compensation for Southern Baptist senior pastors

A new report from Lifeway Research indicates that full-time senior pastors within the Southern Baptist Convention experienced a 1.5% decline in compensation between 2024 and 2026. While senior pastors saw a decrease, the study found that full-time staff ministers and office personnel saw compensation increases of 4.9% and 9.2%, respectively. The research, conducted in partnership with Baptist state conventions and GuideStone Financial Resources, analyzed data from 3,888 church employees.

Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, attributed the financial strain to churches managing smaller active memberships in the post-pandemic era. He noted that some pastors may face increasing pressure to seek secondary employment to supplement their income. The study also highlighted a lack of employer-sponsored health insurance, reporting that 63% of Southern Baptist churches do not provide medical coverage for their senior pastors.

GuideStone President Hance Dilbeck emphasized the importance of church investment in pastoral well-being. He stated that providing fair compensation can alleviate financial burdens on families and allow ministers to focus more effectively on their vocational callings.