Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 2B. p. 282. Revised published proposal.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 3-04
Canonical number: 3-04
Committee: Mercy
Source: Today's Business, Issue 1
Printed pages: pp. 78-79
PDF pages: 78-79
Version: original, superseded
Source reference: Issue 1, pp. 78-79
Line numbers follow Today's Business, Issue 1, with numbering reset on each printed page, so delegates can compare this page with the official PDF.
Page 78
- To Encourage Use of Counseling and Telehealth Services
- for Care and Retention of Church Workers
- RESOLUTION 3-04
- Overture 3-07 (CW, 301–2)
- WHEREAS, Church workers of the Synod experience unique vocational stressors inherent to ecclesial callings,
- including isolation, heavy workloads, public scrutiny, financial strain, and relational pressures; and
- WHEREAS, Research within and outside the Synod demonstrates increasing rates of burnout, depression, anxiety,
- suicidality, marital distress, loneliness, financial uncertainty, and certain addictive behaviors among pastors and other
- church workers; and
- WHEREAS, Professional counseling, including counseling delivered via telehealth, has demonstrated efficacy in
- treating burnout, depression, anxiety disorders, trauma-related distress, marital and family conflict, financial stress, and
- certain addictive behaviors; and
- WHEREAS, Church workers of the Synod will benefit from Christ-centered, clinically competent counseling services
- that are confessionally aligned with the doctrine and practice of the Synod and are well positioned to serve church workers
- confidentially whether in-person or via telehealth; therefore be it
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage its workers to view the use of professional counseling services as
- faithful stewardship of the gifts of body and mind entrusted to them by God; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod commend telehealth counseling services as trusted resources for addressing burnout,
- depression, anxiety, suicidality, marital and family distress, financial stress, and certain addictive behaviors among church
- workers; and be it further
Page 79
- Resolved, That districts, congregations, schools, and recognized service organizations be encouraged to become
- familiar with existing and available counseling and telehealth services that are confessionally aligned with the doctrine
- and practice of the Synod and to share such information as part of a culture of care and support for church workers; and
- be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod affirm that timely access to counseling services may assist church workers in remaining in
- their calls and continuing faithful service to Christ’s Church through the proclamation of the Gospel; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod and districts be encouraged in the upcoming triennium to consider how to address the acute
- and growing need for more capacity in counseling and telehealth services that are confessionally and doctrinally aligned
- with the Synod in light of future advancements in telehealth services and the growing acceptance of these counseling
- services as beneficial to worker wellness; and that such encouragement be offered in a manner that respects Christian
- freedom, confidentiality, and pastoral discretion, without mandate or compulsion; and be it finally
- Resolved, That the Office of National Mission, in cooperation with Concordia Plan Services and other appropriate
- Synod entities, be directed to study the feasibility of establishing a synodwide telehealth counseling network staffed by
- licensed mental health professionals who are confessionally committed to the doctrine and practice of the Synod, with
- particular attention to ensuring affordability, confidentiality, and accessibility for church workers and their families across
- all districts.
- The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance
- Committee, note a feasibility study not yet scoped to the point of estimating potential cost (estimate required by Bylaw
- 3.1.7 [g]).
