Results of the PPLU Survey on Employment Status of Clergy

Responses were received from fourteen denominations: Church of the Province of South Africa (Anglican), Coptic Orthodox Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (Natal-Transvaal), Hervormde Kerk in South Africa, Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Moravian Church in South Africa , Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (Dutch Reformed Church), Order of Ethiopia, Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa, Rhema Ministries South Africa (IFCC), Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, Salvation Army, United Congregational Church of South Africa, and Volkskerk van Afrika. In addition, the Council of African Instituted Churches replied on behalf of its members. One denominational officer replied by memorandum and did not supply detailed answers to all of the questions; the remaining fourteen responses were made on the survey form supplied.

The following SACC member denominations did not reply: African Catholic Church, African Congregational Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church, Baptist Convention, Evangelical Church of South Africa, Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa, Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Africa, Presbyterian Church of Africa, Reformed Presbyterian Church in South Africa, and Uniting Reformed Church.

A survey form was not sent to the Society of Friends (Quakers) as they do not ordain clergy.

Responses ranged from 9 to "thousands". The spread was as follows:

• 3 respondents have fewer than 50 clergy.
• 3 respondents have 51 to 100 clergy.
• 4 respondents have 101 to 1000 clergy.
• 4 respondents have more than 1000 clergy.

Note that some denominations cover geographic areas larger than just South Africa, so the figures supplied by these churches may include clergy in other countries.

Six respondents indicated that all of the clergy in their denomination received some form of salary or stipend from the church. A further six denominations indicated that the vast majority of their clergy (ranging from 70 to 93 percent) are remunerated in some form. However, only about 3% of clergy associated with CAIC members are paid. (One response was unclear on this point.)

Six respondents indicated that their clergy were typically paid by the national office (with one indicating payment by either a national or regional body). These six included five of the smaller churches, as well as CAIC.

Five denominations indicated that their clergy were typically paid by a local congregation, while a sixth said "local congregation via the national body". With one exception, these were all larger denominations with more than 200 clergy. An additional (smaller) church indicated that local congregations paid ministers with subsidies from the mission agency of another church.

One denomination reported that clergy are normally paid by a regional body. Another indicated some "other" arrangement, with no further explanation.

Five denominations indicated that, in addition to the usual patterns of payment cited above, clergy were sometimes paid by another agency within the church. In four cases, the alternative income sources were more central (regional or national) bodies. In one case, a denomination whose clergy are normally paid by a national body has some pastors who are paid instead by a local congregation.

Four of the five denominations whose clergy are typically paid by the national office consider their clergy to be employees of the denomination. One considers its clergy to be employed by the local congregation, despite being paid by a regional or national body. CAIC, which reported that its remunerated clergy are normally paid by a national body, considers pastors to be employed by whatever body pays the salary or stipend.

Three denominations whose clergy are typically paid by a local congregation also see the local congregation as an employer. One denomination sees its clergy as employed by a regional body, although they are usually paid by a local congregation.

The remaining four denominations do not see themselves as employers of clergy. While one denomination feels that clergy are self-employed, three say that clergy are not employed at all, but are instead called by God. This category is made up of larger churches, including some of the largest responding denominations.

Only one respondent reported any current conflicts: two pending instances of dismissal/ discontinuance pending before the CCMA.

Although one denominational officer indicated that he did not believe that "persons in the employ of a church ... can be dealt with outside of the provisions of the present labour laws," several respondents indicated a desire to explore this issue more. Two denominations have already initiated their own studies of the impact of labour legislation on clergy. Another respondent made a plea for "Clarity: is the relationship between a minister/church construed as employer/employee? Who makes the decision? Should there not be a forum where this can be discussed/debated in depth? The ramifications are enormous."