FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP A Message from Bishop Bryan Penman Dear Beloved Siblings in Christ, October is recognized as Rostered Minister Appreciation Month, a time to pause and give thanks for the pastors and deacons who walk with us in faith — proclaiming good news, tending souls, and leading communities of hope in a...
Category: Roster
October 19, 2025
October: Rostered Minister Appreciation Month
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP A Message from Bishop Bryan Penman Dear Beloved Siblings in Christ, October is recognized as Rostered Minister Appreciation Month, a time to pause and give thanks for the pastors and deacons who walk with us in faith — proclaiming good news, tending souls, and leading communities of hope in a...
December 5, 2023
Cost of Living Increase for Rostered Ministers
The SEPA Executive Committee at its most recent meeting approved a cost-of-living increase of 3.2% (following the determination of the federal government) for Rostered Ministers. Therefore, for 2024: Word & Sacrament – SEPA Unadjusted Minimum Salary is $48,164 plus Housing Allowance of $18,000 totaling $66,164. Word & Service – SEPA Unadjusted Minimum Salary is $49,610. Please...
September 15, 2023
Kindling Faith Events Update
Kindling Faith—because learning continues. Kindling Faith is for everyone (new events are in *bold)… For Rostered Leaders who want to improve their Pastoral Care Skills (offered on zoom every other month through July 2024!) For Everyone who enjoys the art of “The Naked Pastor” (registration closes Thursday, 9/14/23) For Church Musicians who want Inspiration (postponed...
August 3, 2023
Resourceful Servants Unveils Emergency Savings/Congregational Financial Assessment Program
The ELCA’s Resourceful Servants Initiative promotes the financial wellness of congregations, rostered ministers and seminarians. For many rostered ministers, financial stress—frequently caused by personal financial challenges or by congregational or organizational financial challenges–stands in the way. To support growth in both individual and organizational financial health, Resourceful Servants is launching the Emergency Savings/Congregational Financial Assessment...
June 22, 2023
Summer Kindling Faith Offerings
The sounds of summer are with us—lawnmowers and patio conversations along with camp songs and seagulls at the beach, not to mention the roar of a baseball stadium full of fans. Kindling Faith still has room for you at these Summer Events. Register before July 10th to be a part of these offerings: The Lutheran...
May 23, 2023
Compensation, Supply Fee Guidelines Updated
The SEPA Synod Executive Committee has determined the 2023 Unadjusted Minimum Salary for Rostered Ministers to be $64,671 ($46,671 salary and $18,000 housing) for Pastors, and $48,072 for Deacons. For pastors who reside in a parsonage, the minimum is $46,671. These amounts were determined by taking the existing SEPA 2019 amount and applying the subsequent federal...
April 11, 2023
2023 Rostered Ministry Compensation Guidelines
The SEPA Synod Executive Committee has determined the 2023 Unadjusted Minimum Salary for Rostered Ministers to be $64,671 ($46,671 salary and $18,000 housing) for Pastors, and $48,072 for Deacons. For pastors who reside in a parsonage, the minimum is $46,671. These amounts were determined by taking the existing SEPA 2019 amount and applying the subsequent...
March 15, 2023
Cultivating Resiliency in a Tiring Time
By the Rev. Bryan Penman Co-Director for Evangelical Mission Happy Lent fellow Disciples!! As the church enters this time of preparation for the Pascal feast, I am mindful of how many of you have expressed just how weary we are right now. Like, down to the bone, tired and weary. And as we journey into...
January 23, 2023
Seminary Debt Relief Grant Application
Dear Rostered Minister, The Finance Committee of the Southeastern PA Synod is pleased to inform you that, in the spirit of generosity, a limited amount of funding has been included in the Synod’s regular 2023-24 budget to help those rostered ministers of our synod for whom seminary student loan debt is a significant burden. Although...
September 12, 2022
Update on Portico Health Rates and Plan Changes
2023 Update on Portico Health Rates and Plan Changes ELCA-Primary health contribution baseline rate will increase 3%, the same rate increase as last year, which was the lowest in eight years. The 3% increase also applies to sponsored members receiving the ELCA Medicare-Primary health benefit Standard option. ELCA-Primary Gold+ option deductibles will increase to $1,500...
April 14, 2022
Bishop: “Lead With the Love of Christ”
Bishop Davenport offered words of inspiration and challenge in her sermon at the 2022 Chrism service yesterday, based on Ephesians 5:1-2: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. “The Apostle Paul encourages us...
September 13, 2021
How’s Your Vocation Going?
The Rev. Karen Sease, Assistant to the Bishop for Vocations and Leadership/Mission Advancement, reminds us that “vocation” is a calling on our lives that extends beyond professional ministries in the church. [ See video and transcript below. ] 〝But if you’re still wondering about rostered ministry, still praying about whether God is calling you to be a...
December 9, 2020
Guidelines for Virtual Congregational Meetings
A number of congregations have requested guidance on holding meetings remotely using teleconferencing or virtual technology during the current pandemic. Rev. Secretary Karl Richard has created a document that attempts to address some of the issues that need to be addressed in preparing for and conducting meetings in this way. This document is applicable for...
August 17, 2020
Religious Leaders Respond to NAACP President’s Meme
In late July, local NAACP head Rodney Muhammad posted a meme to Facebook that Jewish groups considered anti-Semitic. In response, the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia issued a statement that denounces bigotry, promotes solidarity, and calls for healing and understanding. Read the full statement here: Philadelphia Religious Leaders Respond to the Rodney Muhammad Posting...
August 20, 2019
Rostered Leaders: Dare to Imagine
The Bishop’s Convocation is now known as the Rostered Ministers Equipping Event Dare to Imagine how you can be a more innovative, effective church leader at the 2019 SEPA Synod Rostered Ministers Equipping Event (RME2), November 12-13. Formerly known as “the Bishop’s Convocation,” the planning team has changed the name to reflect the event’s core mission of...
June 18, 2019
Save Dates for Bishop’s Convocation
Save the dates! The 2019 Bishop’s Convocation for rostered ministers, Dare to Imagine: Equipping Innovative Leaders, will be held November 12-13, 2019 at the Crowne Plaza (260 Mall Boulevard, King of Prussia, PA 19406). Rev. Emily Scott, former pastor of St. Lydia’s Dinner Church and current pastor of Dreams and Visions, Baltimore, MD, has agreed...
June 4, 2019
Save the Date for ‘Extravagant Generosity’
Save the dates — January 10-11, 2020 — for a can’t miss learning event. “Extravagant Generosity: A Stewardship Extravaganza” features keynotes by Clif Christopher, author of It’s Not Your Father’s Offering Plate, Whose Offering Plate Is It? and The Church Money Manual, and Aimee Laramore, author of Pathways to Generosity: Year-round Giving and Gratitude. Workshop leaders include: Scott Schantzenbach, Rob...
March 20, 2019
Court Upholds Housing Allowance
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Friday upheld the tax-exempt housing allowance for ordained clergy against a constitutional challenge from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. From ChurchLawAndTax.com: The Seventh Circuit reversed a 2017 decision by a federal district judge in Wisconsin, which favored leaders of the tax-exempt atheist organization Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). The...
March 4, 2019
Leadership in Uncharted Territory
“Leadership is disappointing your own people at a rate they can absorb.” Tod Bolsinger, PhD, used this quote from adaptive leadership guru Ronald Heifetz to summarize the balancing act of leading in uncharted territory for more than 200 clergy and lay leaders gathered for a learning day with the author of “Canoeing the Mountains.” As...
August 29, 2018
Portico rate increase lowest since 2013
On Aug. 3, Portico Benefit Services’ board of trustees voted to approve, on average, the lowest contribution rate increase in five years. This will include disability and survivor rate reductions, sizable reductions in the cost of ELCA Medicare-Primary health benefits, and a low baseline ELCA-Primary health rate increase. While these changes will impact individuals and...
