Minister Support in Rural and Small Town Churches of Christ:Findings from the 2025 Ministers’ Salary Survey

This study explores the current state of minister support within Churches of Christ, particularly in rural and small-town settings. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly half of pastors surveyed by the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations (EPIC) study considered leaving their congregations. Despite some improvements in clergy well-being, declining church attendance and financial strain persist. Using data from the 2025 Ministers’ Salary Survey, we examine differences in compensation by location, gender, education, and age.