To Address Mental Health among Called Church Workers

WHEREAS, According to Barna research conducted in 2021, when asked to rate their emotional well-being choosing between excellent, good, average, below average, and poor, 40 percent of America’s pastors rated 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 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-quitting- ministry, April 27, 2022); and

WHEREAS, The results of a Barna research poll conducted in March 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); and

WHEREAS, The October 22, 2021 edition of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Reporter stated that “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 3,000pastorsinthenext15years”and these statistics do not include pastors resigning from their call due to mental health concerns (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

WHEREAS, The brain is also an organ in the body; and

WHEREAS, Constitution Article III 8 states that “The Synod, under the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, shall…provide evangelical supervision, counsel, and care for pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers of the Synod in the performance of their official duties”; and

WHEREAS, It would be beneficial to their work for pastors and other called church workers to be mindful of their mental health; and

WHEREAS, Pastors and other called workers can be instrumental in removing the stigma associated with mental health by seeing to their own mental health and informing their congregation; therefore be it

Resolved, That all church workers on the roster of the LCMS be encouraged to use the Concordia Plan Services Employee Assistance Program, or another LCMS doctrinal ly approved program available to them to obtain an annual mental health check- up; and be it further

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

Resolved, That each district of the LCMS be encouraged to create a position of Mental Health Advocate, which can be paid or voluntary, to provide the called church workers of each district support and encouragement in addressing mental health concerns and to communicate mental health related educational opportunities, resources, and grant opportunities for the support of mental well-being to the church workers and congregations of the district.