2026 Minimum Effective Salary
The Ministry Relations Committee is bringing forward updated guidelines to set the 2026 Minimum Effective Salary for ministers of Denver Presbytery at $71,000, aligning with the national PCUSA median effective salary. This recommendation reflects both the high cost of living in Denver and our ongoing commitment to ensuring that pastors are fairly compensated for their service and leadership.
The guidelines will be presented for a vote at our Presbytery Assembly on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church. In preparation, we invite all ministers, sessions, and congregational leaders to attend an informational Zoom session on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, where the Ministry Relations Committee will provide background, walk through the details, and answer questions.
We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the proposal and its impact on your ministry context before the assembly gathers for action.
To address the rising costs of salaries and the Board of Pensions benefits pricing, the Ministry Relations Committee has approved two different mechanisms for financial support:
Pastor Leadership Compensation Assistance Policy. This will award up to three grants, each not exceeding $12,780 to help congregations ensure their pastor is receiving the minimum effective salary.
Board of Pensions Subsidy Grant. This will award eight subsidies of up to $10,000 each to congregations who are finding it difficult to meet the new Board of Pensions (BoP) dues. These funds are ONLY to be used to offset BoP dues.