Honorarium Policy

This honorarium policy rose out of ministry partners around Ohio asking questions about fairness and expectations. In July 2023, the HNO board adopted this statement as a guide to assist in this conversation. 

First, honorariums or payment for services is not required. HNO will NEVER prioritize or de-prioritize a congregation or ministry partner based on ability to contribute financially. Often the ministries without financial resources are blessed with many other gifts that we value, cherish, and enhance our collective ministry in this world.

For ministries (congregations, clergy clusters, conferences, learning circles, academic institutions, judicatories, bible studies, mission teams, and others) who have the financial means to make contribution, we encourage you to do so. 

We accept both personal honorariums to the speaker as well as donations to the Hunger Network in Ohio.

Some congregations provide both a personal honorarium to the speaker and a donation to the Hunger Network. For example, an honorarium for preaching, and a donation for speaking after worship at a luncheon. However, we are flexible and open to how you wish to structure your contribution. 

Below are suggested amounts, based on average contributions. We believe that collectively there is enough, so if your ministry has additional resources, consider making the extra contribution knowing that another ministry will be able to contribute less. 

Suggestions:

• Preaching one worship service: (Southern Ohio Synod Guidelines)  $200

• Each additional worship service: (Southern Ohio Synod Guidelines)  $25

• For Sunday School class, congregational after worship, clergy conference, conversation:   $100-200

• In-depth training, lecture, CEU’s, etc.: $200-300 hr.

• Mileage in 2023:  $0.655 a mile