I work at a church and I understand that near half of the church board are paid individuals within the church. They are the senior pastor and the associate pastor. Is it legal for this to be going on?

By paid do you mean they are drawing a wage as in salary or hourly? Or is it that they are paid for services rendered?

Besides the 2 you have mentioned are the others being compensated also for work or just for related expenses ?

The two paid people on the board are not paid for being on the board but are the senior pastor and the associate pastor, who get paid for church related things.

The two paid people on the board are not paid for being on the board but are the senior pastor and the associate pastor, who get paid for church related things.

That as you described it is the norm in many churches around the country.