Why Our Church Pays a Per Capita Fee

Supporting Our Mission Together

What is the Per Capita Fee?

The per capita fee is a way for all Presbyterian churches to share equally in the costs of governing the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). For 2025, the per capita rate is $38.00 per member.

2025 Per Capita Rate and Overview

Entity                                               Rate

Presbytery of Chicago                $23.35

Synod of Lincoln Trail                     $3.81

General Assembly                       $10.84

Total (per member)                   $38.00

Per capita requests to each church for 2025 are based on each church’s active membership as of December 31, 2023, as submitted by your Clerk of Session in the Annual Statistical Report to the Presbytery and General Assembly.

Why Do We Pay It?

1.     Shared Responsibility: Ensures all congregations contribute to the governance and mission of the church.

2.     Support for Church Governance: Funds the work of the General Assembly, Synod, and Presbytery.

3.     Mission and Ministry: Supports essential services like pastoral care and conflict resolution.

4.     Connectional Church: Allows us to participate in the broader mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

What Does Per Capita Provide?

Per capita contributions support ministries such as:

·         The work of the Presbytery of Chicago’s Commission on Ministry and Commission on Preparation for Ministry.

·         The work of Presbytery staff and various committees.

·         Official meetings of the councils/assemblies of the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly.

How Per Capita Helps Churches

Through per capita, the Presbytery of Chicago is able to:

·         Help congregations with pastoral transitions.

·         Train and support interim/transitional ministers.

·         Resolve congregational conflicts.

·         Care for ministers, Christian Educators, and their families.

·         Help prepare people for service as ordained ministers.

·         Organize and run presbytery assembly meetings.

·         Provide staff to support congregations.

How You Can Help

We kindly ask each member to contribute their portion of the per capita fee, which is $38.00 for 2025. Your contribution helps ensure that our church can continue to support the broader mission and governance of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). You can pay the Per Capita online.

Please contact the Business Office at 847-362-2174 or email the Business Office with any questions.