To Encourage Use of Counseling and Telehealth Services for Care and Retention of Church Workers

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1. 8To Encourage Use of Counseling and Telehealth Services
2. 9for Care and Retention of Church Workers
3. 10RESOLUTION 3-04A
4. 11Overture 3-07 (CW, 301–2)
5. 12WHEREAS, Church workers of the Synod experience unique vocational stressors inherent to ecclesial callings,
6. 13including isolation, heavy workloads, public scrutiny, financial strain, and relational pressures; and
7. 14WHEREAS, Research within and outside the Synod demonstrates increasing rates of burnout, depression, anxiety,
8. 15suicidality, marital distress, loneliness, financial uncertainty, and certain addictive behaviors among pastors and other
9. 16church workers; and
10. 17WHEREAS, Professional counseling, including counseling delivered via telehealth, has demonstrated efficacy in
11. 18treating burnout, depression, anxiety disorders, trauma-related distress, marital and family conflict, financial stress, and
12. 19certain addictive behaviors; and
13. 20WHEREAS, Church workers of the Synod will benefit from Christ-centered, clinically competent counseling services
14. 21that are confessionally aligned with the doctrine and practice of the Synod and are well positioned to serve church
15. 22workers confidentially whether in-person or via telehealth; therefore be it
16. 23Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage its workers to view the use of professional counseling services
17. 24as faithful stewardship of the gifts of body and mind entrusted to them by God; and be it further
18. 25Resolved, That the Synod commend telehealth counseling as a resource for addressing burnout, depression, anxiety,
19. 26suicidality, marital and family distress, financial stress, and certain addictive behaviors among church workers; and be
20. 27it further
21. 28Resolved, That districts, congregations, schools, and recognized service organizations be encouraged to become
22. 29familiar with existing and available counseling and telehealth services that are confessionally aligned with the doctrine
23. 30and practice of the Synod and to share such information as part of a culture of care and support for church workers; and
24. 31be it further
25. 32Resolved, That the Synod affirm that timely access to counseling services may assist church workers in remaining
26. 33in their calls and continuing faithful service to Christ’s Church through the proclamation of the Gospel; and be it further
27. 34Resolved, That the Synod and districts be encouraged in the upcoming triennium to consider how to address the
28. 35acute and growing need for more capacity in counseling and telehealth services that are confessionally and doctrinally
29. 36aligned with the Synod in light of future advancements in telehealth services and the growing acceptance of these
30. 37counseling services as beneficial to worker wellness; and that such encouragement be offered in a manner that respects
31. 38Christian freedom, confidentiality, and pastoral discretion, without mandate or compulsion; and be it finally
32. 39Resolved, That the Office of National Mission, in cooperation with Concordia Plan Services and other appropriate
33. 40Synod entities, be directed to study the possibility of establishing a synodwide telehealth counseling network staffed by
34. 41licensed mental health professionals who are confessionally committed to the doctrine and practice of the Synod, with
35. 42particular attention to ensuring affordability, confidentiality, and accessibility for church workers and their families
36. 43across all districts.
37. 44The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance
38. 45Committee, note a feasibility study not yet scoped to the point of estimating potential cost
39. 46(estimate required by Bylaw 3.1.7 [g]).