To Commend and Encourage LCMS Worker Wellness Efforts

WHEREAS, It is a mission priority of the Synod to promote and nurture the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of pastors and professional church workers; and

WHEREAS, The Council of Presidents (COP), LCMS Worker Wellness, and Concordia Plan Services (CPS) have collaborated to create a strategic plan that has been disseminated to district presidents and established by district boards of directors pursuant to Presidents to Provide Strategic Plan for Addressing Wellness of Church Workers”; and

WHEREAS, The strategies involve the efforts of both professional church workers and the congregational lay leaders and ministry leaders; and

WHEREAS, Soldiers of the Cross has provided $241,705 of financial assistance to 98 roster ed church workers this past triennium; and Veterans of the Cross has provided $717,751 to 30 recipients in the same period; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 20 percent of roster ed church workers are not covered by the CPS health plans; and

WHEREAS, The Soldiers of the Cross and Veterans of the Cross crisis financial grants offered to church workers demonstrate that workers who are not covered by CPS health plans are vulnerable to significant adverse financial impact when there are serious health and medical needs of the workers and their family members; and

WHEREAS, CPS health plans are customized for the needs of church workers, the assets of the health plans are designed to bear the health burdens of the members (Gal. 6:2), and the health plans have varied financial options for Synod ministries; therefore be it

Resolved, That the COP, LCMS Worker Wellness, and CPS be commended and thanked for their work to provide leadership and a strategic plan, and for their collaboration on Soldiers of the Cross and Veterans of the Cross grant programs; and be it further

Resolved, That districts, congregations, schools and ministries not enrolled in a CPS health plan be encouraged to annually consider and compare their current health plan with those available through CPS; and be it finally

Resolved, That the lay leaders of Synod congregations, schools, and Recognized Service Organizations be advised and encouraged to make use of resources, programs, and plans created by the districts, CPS, and LCMS Worker Wellness, and endeavor to form the local culture to be supportive of and caring for the holistic well- being of roster ed church workers, members, and visitors.