Many churches, especially those that do not operate as part of a larger denomination, do not give a lot thought to the terms of employment when they call a pastor to serve their church. However, establishing clear terms of employment in a clear and concise employment agreement are as important to the church-pastor relationship as any employee-employer relationship.
Using an employment agreement for pastors and ministers is important as they define the financial and legal relationship between the two parties. Therefore, having an experienced attorney to oversee the process of negotiating an employment contract on behalf of your church can be crucial to protecting your church’s interests.
All employment contracts should contain certain general information, such as the duration of the contract and a clear explanation of the salary and benefits that the minister will be entitled to under the contract. The contract will also likely outline the minister’s job duties and responsibilities throughout the contract. To some degree, the contract content