Updated Pastor Salary Guidelines for 2008-2009 are included in this issue of Equipping. They come to you from Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership. They were updated with counsel from a variety of people from across the church.

The base salary and unit value has been increased by 3.2 percent. Mileage reimbursement has been changed to 50.5 cents per mile, which is the amount allowed by IRS.

The recommendations in these guidelines should be viewed as a minimal starting place. Since cost of living varies greatly across the country, local factors, especially housing costs, should be taken into account. The worksheet provides for “extra optional units” as encouragement to consider further adjustments to these guidelines to more accurately reflect local factors.

Health insurance continues to be a matter of great concern for pastors and congregations. We continue to recommend that congregations provide health insurance for pastors and other church employees and their families. In conferences where the Covenant Mutual Benefits Plan (COMB) is available we encourage congregations to provide coverage through this plan.

Work is going forward but is not complete on the Healthcare Access Initiative which envisions all Mennonite Church USA congregations practicing mutual aid with one another in sharing the cost of providing health-care insurance for all pastors. Area conferences and congregations will receive updates on that initiative during 2008 and 2009.

When it becomes necessary to ask congregational employees to increase their contribution to the health plan, we encourage exploration of a Flexible Spending Plan or Health Savings Account to help offset the increased out-of-pocket expenses.

These materials may be copied and made available for those involved in setting compensation for the next year. They are also available on the Mennonite Church USA Web site. You may also want to consult with someone from your area conference office for more information and assistance. Contact Lee Lever at leel@MennoniteUSA.org or 1-866-866-2872 if you have questions or feedback.

We hope these guidelines will help congregations and their pastors arrive at a fair and mutually satisfactory benefit package and build strong and healthy relationships between congregations and their pastors.

Urban Leaders Network meeting, Oct. 24 to 25, 2008

“Breaking through urban concrete: agents of good news infiltrating hierarchies of power” is the theme for the ULN meeting. Invited by the New York City Council of Mennonite Churches, we will meet in Manhattan, N.Y., at the Manhattan Country School. Urban leaders, pastors and others with an urban interest are welcome to participate. Workshops led by people from the local NYC area; a concluding message from James R. Krabill, senior executive for Global Ministries at Mennonite Mission Network; and warm hospitality from NYC congregations comprise the program.

The meeting begins with registration at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24, and continues 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Oct. 25. Two optional events include networking in small groups while dining together Saturday evening and worship with a local congregation Sunday morning.

Mark your calendars and look for more information in the future.

Contact: Becky Tyson at BeckyT@MennoniteMission.net or 574-523-3076 (direct line), 1-866-866-2872 (toll-free).

Upgraded? Conversations on technology and worship

Join pastors, worship leaders, audio-visual technicians, scholars and artists to explore how our worship is shaped by technology and how decisions about technology shape our worship. Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary will host a consultation Aug. 7 to 9 to look at questions such as:

• What principles guide our decisions about technology in worship?

• When do tools of technology distort worship? When do they contribute?

• What marks us as discerning and careful users of technology in worship?

The kinds of technology that will be examined include Paul’s use of letters, Skype, social networking sites and name tags.

The event begins at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, and concludes at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. The cost to attend is $95 for registrations prior to July 1. A flier with preliminary information is included in this issue of Equipping, and more information is available at www.ambs.edu/upgraded.

Advance notice of upcoming courses at AMBS

Several upcoming courses at AMBS are announced in advance:

• The required course, Theology of the Church, taught by Gayle Gerber Koontz, will be offered online for the first time this fall. If you know someone who is interested in exploring seminary study, this can be a starting point.
• Beginning Hebrew, a study of Ruth, will be offered online in fall 2008. This is another beginning level course ideal for people testing seminary study.
• For Interterm (January 2009), AMBS will offer a three-week course at SEMILLA, the Anabaptist seminary in Guatemala.
• A course on missional church in a global context will be offered in connection with Mennonite World Conference, July 6 to 24, 2009. Andy Brubacher Kaethler, Walter Sawatsky and other AMBS faculty will be hosts.

See further information about these and other AMBS offerings at www.ambs.edu/academics/courses.

2008 Programs for pastors and congregants at Laurelville

Retreat for Families, Friends and Persons with Disabilities

This program will provide an opportunity for families to get away from the stresses of everyday life and relax with others July 23 to 27. People with disabilities and younger siblings enjoy activities throughout the week while adult family members and care givers share in a supportive environment the joys and challenges of having family members with disabilities. Activities for older siblings will also occur throughout the week. For more information: www.laurelville.org/ Program/Disabilities.html or 1-800-839-1021.

Music and Worship Leaders’ Training Workshop: Training in Leadership Arts

Following the tradition of our popular January Music and Worship Leaders’ Retreat, this program, will be Sept. 12 to 14 and offer in-depth training to music and worship leaders, dramatists, Scripture readers and visual display artists. Participants choose a discipline (such as music leading, worship leading, etc.) and join an all-day workshop to delve into the nuts and bolts of leading. Churches are encouraged to send experienced leaders along with emerging leaders. For more information: www.laurelville.org/Program/ MusicWorship.html or 1-800-839-1021.

Beyond Words: Imagining a Visual Spirituality

This, a gathering for artists, pastors, laypeople and anyone interested in connecting to God through visual representations, will be Oct. 24 to 26. The weekend will include visually-focused worship, artful workshops for professionals and congregations, open studio space and fellowship. Explore a range of experiences, individually and communally. Come to participate and to receive. Featured artists: Howard Zehr and Juanita Yoder Kauffman. For more information: www.laurelville.org/ Program/BeyondWords or 1-800-839-1021.