Professional HR experience, ministry understanding
PastorWork HR Consulting is led by a former Manager of Compensation, Payroll and Benefits at The Gideons International — a global Christian nonprofit with 140+ employees and 100+ international contractors — who also spent a decade in full-time ministry, from church plants to megachurches. Add an MBA in Finance, and you get something most churches can't find: real HR and compensation expertise from someone who genuinely understands the church world.
Church HR isn't like corporate HR
Housing allowances, clergy tax treatment, minister classification, dual-status employees, benefits for bivocational staff — churches face HR questions a generic HR firm has never seen. We work at the intersection of professional HR and ministry, so you get advice that actually fits how your church operates.
How we help
Whether you need a one-time project or ongoing support, we tailor our help to your church's size and needs.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary structures and pay bands for staff roles
- Compensation benchmarking against comparable churches
- Housing allowance setup and guidance
- Benefits program design and review
- Pastor and staff compensation packages
Payroll Setup & Guidance
- Payroll setup for churches and church plants
- Minister vs non-minister payroll handling
- W-2 and 1099 classification guidance
- Dual-status (clergy) payroll considerations
- Choosing and implementing a payroll system
HR Compliance & Policy
- Employee handbooks built for churches
- Worker classification (employee vs contractor)
- HR policy and procedure development
- Employment law basics for churches
- Onboarding and offboarding processes
Ongoing HR Support
- Fractional HR support on a retainer basis
- A go-to resource for staff and HR questions
- Annual compensation and policy reviews
- Support as your staff and church grow
- Guidance for sensitive personnel situations
How it works
Reach Out
Email us at hello@pastorwork.com and tell us what your church needs — a specific project or ongoing support.
We Scope It Together
We talk through your situation and send a simple proposal outlining the work, timeline, and cost.
We Get to Work
You get practical, church-appropriate HR and compensation help — delivered clearly and on time.
Frequently asked questions
What size churches do you work with?
Churches of nearly every size — from small congregations setting up payroll for their first paid staff member to larger multi-staff churches that need compensation structures and ongoing HR support.
Do you work with all denominations?
Yes. HR, compensation, and payroll fundamentals apply across traditions, and we adapt to your church's specific context and polity.
Can you help us set up payroll from scratch?
Yes. We help churches and church plants set up payroll correctly from the start, including proper handling of minister pay, classifications, and system selection.
Do you offer ongoing support or just one-time projects?
Both. Many churches start with a specific project — a compensation review or an employee handbook — and some move to fractional, retainer-based HR support for ongoing questions as they grow.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the scope. Email us with what you need and we'll send a straightforward proposal tailored to your church.
PastorWork HR Consulting provides HR, compensation, and payroll guidance and is not a substitute for legal, tax, or accounting advice. For specific legal or tax determinations, consult a qualified attorney or CPA.