I got into youth ministry for the money. I had just completed a year of missionary work with the Jesuit Volunteers, and I was looking for a job. I was not picky because I was in the midst of discerning what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. When the opportunity to be a middle youth minister opened up, I applied, was accepted, and the rest is history.
While I got into ministry for the money, I stayed for a much better reason. I had found my calling, and while I would like to think I could do this for free, that would not be entirely true. Being a paid lay ecclesial minister allows me to focus on the job while caring for my family. I would love to tell you I’ve always been compensated fairly and that the salary has covered all of our needs, but sadly that’s not true. Fortunately, God’s provided and my wife’s career has enabled me to pursue this path.
Some argue that the need for paid lay ecclesial professionals is unnecessary. The argument is that the work can be done adequately by volunteers. While there is truth in that argument, the benefit of a well-paid staff enables a parish to extend its efforts to impact the surrounding community.
While an effective pastor can empower the faithful to embrace the responsibilities of the local church, paid staff can only increase those efforts. And if a parish is going to employ men and women to assist the pastor and the faithful in the mission of the Church, then they should be compensated fairly.
Unfortunately, for many lay ecclesial ministers, that’s an aspiration and not a reality. To change that trend, we need to:
If your employees are paid well and fairly, they will show commitment because they won’t be worried about money. A ministry leader who worries about pay will constantly be stressed, leading to a lack of focus. Instead of doing what needs to be done, they might look for a side hustle.
Paying someone well means they are satisfied with their salary, which leads to less turnover. That consistency in employment leads to momentum and growth. This is especially important with employees who work with kids and teens. If they know you’ll be around for a while, they’ll stay involved.
With a paid staff, pastors will have a much easier time tackling big projects because employees do not have to juggle as many obligations as volunteers. As their leader, you set the times that they show up and the roles they perform. While volunteers are capable of doing the work, a paid staff can extend your efforts.
Not every parish can afford to pay its staff. If the church resides in a low-income community or has serious financial debt, the idea of hiring someone is unrealistic. I have no issue with parishes that cannot afford to pay someone, but some look for ways to save money by hiring cheap.
Simply paying someone to do a job is not good enough. If you want a seasoned veteran with a proven track record, you must pay them what they are worth. If you want someone young and fresh, you need to be ready to invest in their education and development.
Hiring someone part-time as a short-term solution is fine, but it will not address the needs for long-term growth. If finances need to increase, parishes should address stewardship and tithing. By increasing giving, parishes can expand their resources and personnel.
The real issue with a just salary for lay ecclesial ministers is that we don’t know what fair looks like. Dioceses and parishes need to research the cost of living that impacts their employees. Salaries should be competitive with comparable careers, and benefits should represent the integrity of Catholic teaching (e.g., paid maternity/paternity leave). The salaries between men and women should be equal, and compensation should be based on experience, education, and responsibility.
Salary increases might seem like an inappropriate discussion when parishes and dioceses are financially struggling; however, the conversation is important. If the work is too much for a pastor and a team of volunteers, a paid staff can assist. They can serve as the liaison between the faithful and the clergy. They can assist the pastor with the vision and help the Church live out the mission given to her by Christ.