A higher salary is a natural desire for any employee—one that can involve negotiating a raise. But asking for that raise can be an uncomfortable conversation, leaving employees hesitant to approach the topic with their managers. In a 2017 survey from staffing firm Robert Half, 9 out of 10 surveyed workers believed they deserved a raise, while only half (49%) felt confident asking for one.

For those working in the church, asking for a raise can be even more difficult. The church is focused on building relationships, and money is often seen as the vehicle for ministry—not the end goal. No matter what your ministry position is, you probably don’t work in the church because you’re expecting a high salary, but because of your passion for ministry.

That said, there are myriad reasons those who work for a church might want to—or should—ask for a raise. You may have taken on more responsibilities in your position, gained new skills, or found out that you are being paid below the market rate for your ministry role. While the process of asking for a raise can be intimidating, it can be worth it. In fact, asking may be the most important thing you can do to get one: for those who decide to initiate the conversation, research shows that three out of four employees in the workforce who ask for a raise get one.

Best Practices for Negotiating a Raise

So what are the best steps for negotiating a raise?

Know Who to Talk to

When it comes to starting the discussion, the first step is knowing the right person to discuss a raise with, says pastor and founder of XPastor David Fletcher. Is it your executive pastor, a business administrator, or another church leader?