2025 Minimum Terms of Call and Benefits Policy Information

Revised June 5th, 2024

Dear Friends-

This spring, as most, if not all of you know, the Board of Pensions announced the most significant changes to the benefits plan of the PC(USA) since it was established in the early 1980s.  The Presbytery, through our Commission on Ministry, is now responsible for revising our policies to incorporate these changes.  COM released its proposed 2025 Minimum Terms and Benefits Policy, which incorporates the changes in the Board of Pensions, at our May Presbytery Meeting.   In the past, COM has voted on the Minimum Terms and Benefits Policy at its June meeting.  However, given the significant changes this year, COM voted to delay the final approval of the 2025 terms until late August or early September.  Part of the rationale for this decision was to give individuals in the Presbytery ample time to review the proposal, ask questions, and provide input to COM.

Information to Review – To better understand the changes in the Board of Pensions and what the Commission on Ministry is recommending, COM has made the following resources available:

• Board of Pensions Season of Rebuilding Website (https://seasonofrebuilding.pensions.org/)
• An Overview of the Proposed 2025 Minimum Terms of Call and Benefits Policy for Pittsburgh Presbytery – This document briefly overviews the rationale behind the proposed terms and policies for 2025.  
• 2025 Minimum Terms of Call and Benefits Policy Background and Rationale and Recommendation – This document provides the complete background on the Board of Pensions changes and how the proposal incorporates those changes, as well as the recommendations that the Commission on Ministry is currently considering.  
• Proposed 2025 Minimum Terms of Call and Benefits Policy – This document contains detailed numbers and policy information.

Commission on Ministry Events – The Commission on Ministry will be hosting four gatherings this summer to (1) Explain how the Proposed 2025 Minimum Terms of Call and Benefits Policy incorporates the changes in the Board of Pensions, (2) Answer questions from participants, (3) Receive feedback and input on how the proposal might be modified.  The dates for these gatherings will be as follows:

• Thursday, June 20^th, 2024 @ 11:30 pm (In-person, lunch provided)
• Wednesday, June 26^th, 2024 @ 4:00 pm (In-person, snacks provided)
• Monday July 8^th, 2024 @ 10:00am (Zoom)
• Tuesday July 30^th, 2024 @ 7:00pm (Zoom)

You can register for these events here

The Commission on Ministry is aware of the concern as to how these changes will impact our pastors and congregations and is committed to implementing these changes in a transparent and open way.  It is the hope of the COM that when the final terms and policies are approved, people understand the implications of these changes for them and/or their congregations and believe that their concerns have been heard and addressed.

In Christ,

Brian