On November 6, 2022, the Personnel Committee and the Church Council of Springfield Baptist Church fielded questions, gathered from previous weeks, concerning the hiring of new staff members. The Personnel Committee’s current plan is to begin the search process for only two positions: (1) a Student Pastor and (2) the Administrative Minister of Outreach.
The Student Pastor position does not need to be voted on by the membership because the position already exists. The Personnel Committee is requesting the church to (1) create the two Administrative Minister positions through a church vote and (2) if affirmed by the membership, to begin the process of searching for ONLY the Administrative Minister of Outreach. The Personnel Committee intends to search for the Administrative Minister of Discipleship at a later date. Below are the questions (word for word as received) and the job descriptions of the positions.
Questions
financial Questions
Congregant Question: “What are the salaries for these 2 positions?”
Congregant Question: “When we can’t meet our budget how will we pay for this?”
Answer(s)
As with all ministerial hires, the exact salary and benefits package will be negotiated with the candidate(s) individually based on their experience and qualifications, then presented to the church for approval. The total of the two positions will not exceed the total of the two positions being replaced.
We tend to always be behind budget because we pass a budget more than the previous annual income. In 2020, we passed a budget that was 117,882 more than the previous year’s income. In 2021, we passed a budget that was 79,337 more than the previous year’s income.
Our income and expense are very compatible.
Our income increases most years.
2019: Budget (1,140,253), Actual Income (1,143,555)
2020: Budget (1,261,437), Actual Income (1,238,199)
2021: Budget (1,317,536), Actual Income (1,308,868)
Number of Staff
Congregant Question: “Do we need 6-7 full time ministers? Have we considered bi-vocational for some positions?”
Congregant Question: “Is the church financially able to fund 3 positions? (I realize 3 people left but past budgets have been healthier (?)”
Answer(s)
A church’s personnel budget should be between 45-55%. We are currently 52%, with no expectation to increase personnel budget as it pertains to the new hires.
1/76 (65) vs 1/100. According to Thom Rainer and Ed Stetzer, the number of staff should be 1/75. Staff should be hired at 1/65 to prepare for the growth. The statistic 1/100 is for a staff that are professional employees that do no have the emphasis on visitation/shepherding as SBC is accustomed.
Refer to the following for updated research: https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/how-many-paid-staff-members-does-your-church-really-need
Other Options for Personnel
Congregant Question: “Is it possible to consider next youth leader and have some of one of admin jobs and consider 2 positions?”
Congregant Question: Abbreviated letter: Will personnel consider hiring (1) Minister of Discipleship and Outreach and (2) Administrative Secretary?
Congregant Question: “Will personnel consider hiring a temporary/interim youth leader who could also help with day to day SBC office duties?”
Congregant Question: “With reduction of office hours, wouldn’t it be better to hire a secretary and discuss this later?”
Answer(s)
The personnel committee (along with other committees and council of the church) have considered other options and believe that the suggested path forward is the best option for ministry and finances.
Office hours have not been cut, only temporarily rearranged until additional staff are brought onboard.
Number of staff to immediately hire
Congregant Question: “We need 2! I understand that we will replacing only one position. Why? What does God want us to do? How does this keep people in Robco for going to hell? This needs a lot more thought!”
Answer(s)
(1) The personnel committee (along with other committees and council of the church) acknowledge the need for all three (3) positions to be filled. The immediate plan is to hire a student pastor and an administrative minister. The third minister can be hired in the future.