Steven — I think that ministers ought to be paid more than median, since it is a profession. But your point about local salaries isn’t lost on me, or, if you notice the new standards. But a bigger problem is the possibility of spouse employment — singles with a choice try to avoid low population areas because there are few options for finding someone; this was reason #2 for me coming to Washington — and if employment options are few or offer low prospects for advancement — well, it won’t matter how kid-friendly the town is (for those for whom it matters) or how cheap the housing is.

In short, the problem for smaller towns and cities is probably going to get worse even though there is a surplus of UU ministers. I suspect most will choose to leave parish ministry than move to an undesirable location, like I did.

The plusses are pretty significant–it forces the laity to see themselves as ministers of the church, as they don’t have a professional person to fall back on, it gives the church’s leadership more latitude to say and do prophetic things, and it frees up a huge chunk of money to do other things with. Not to mention easing expectations on the pastors to do all and be everywhere.

of course, with health insurance and other things, we might be comparing apples and oranges here....

… but so much for those stories of my grandfather, an United Brethren minister, being paid in chickens one month….
and he had a doctorate!

How does the UU salary compare with other churches?
Is there a surplus of UU ministers?
How many smaller churches rely on part time or shared ministers or none?