To Commend and Encourage LCMS Worker Wellness Efforts

Official Workbook overture source text

3-06 
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 
2023 Resol ution 1 -06A, “To Direct Districts and Council of 
Presidents to Provide Strategic Plan for Addressing Wellness of 
Church Workers”; and 
W
HEREAS, 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 rostered 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 rostered 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 rostered church workers, members, and visitors. 
Board for National Mission 
Ov.