To Address Mental Health among Called Church Workers

WHEREAS, In the post COVID-19 world, stress, worker burnout and other mental health issues have become an even greater issue for professional church workers; and

WHEREAS, According to Barna research conducted in 2021, 40 percent of America’spastorsrated themselves as average and below in emotional well- being (Barna Group, www.barna.com/research/pastors-well-being, November 16, 2021); and

WHEREAS, The results of a Barna research poll conducted in March of 2022 (Barna Group, www.barna.com/research/pastors- quitting-ministry, April 27, 2022) found that 42 percent of American pastors have “given real, serious consideration to quitting being in full-time ministry within the last year,” which is a 13 percent increase from January 2021 (Barna Group, www.barna.com/research/pastors-well-being, November 16, 2021); and

WHEREAS, The results of a Barna research poll conducted in March of 2022 found that “Over half of pastors who have considered quitting full-time ministry (56 percent) say ‘the immense stress of the job’ has factored into their thoughts on leaving”(Barna Group, www.barna.com/research/pastors-quitting- ministry, April 27, 2022), a sentiment consistent with all professional church workers; and

WHEREAS, As reported in the October 22, 2021 edition of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Reporter, “50 percent of the Synod’s current, active pastors are 55 years or older” and predicts that “if seminary enrollment and pastor retirements continue at their current rates, the Synod could go from 6,000 to 3,000 pastors in the next 15 years,” a total that does not include pastors resigning from their call due to mental health concerns or “burnout” (Cheryl Magness, “‘Set Apart to Serve’: Church Worker Recruitment Initiative gets new name,” Reporter Online, October 22, 2021, reporter.lcms.org/2021/set-apart-to-serve-church- worker-recruitment-initiative-gets-new-name); and

WHEREAS, Our called church workers are encouraged to obtain a physical exam each year and mental health should be a part of that self-care, which is consistent with the eighth objective of the Synod and the fifth mission priority of the Synod, as both are intended to promote the care and the well-being of pastors and professional church workers; and

WHEREAS, With support and help, professional church workers can help to remove some of the stigma associated with mental health care by taking care of their own mental health and informing their congregation of their needs; therefore be it

Resolved, That all church workers on the roster of the Synod be encouraged to use the Concordia Plan Services Employee Assistance Program, or other similar programs to obtain mental health care as needed; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations of the LCMS be encouraged to support the mental well-being of their pastors and called church workers and allow them paid time away from the congregation for respite and renewal which is not counted against their vacation time;

and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations of the LCMS be encouraged to support their pastors and called church workers in times of mental distress; and be it finally

Resolved, That each district of the LCMS be encouraged to make available a mental health advocate, for pastors and all professional church workers, which can be a paid or a voluntary position, to provide care, support and encouragement in addressing mental health concerns and or to communicate mental health related educational opportunities, resources, and grant opportunities for the support of mental well-being to the pastors, church workers and