Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 336

WHEREAS, LSSNY and Global Refuge provide not only advice 
and counsel concerning immigrant issues, but also opportunities to 
serve the migrant and immigrant communities in just and righteous 
ways; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the 2025 LCMS Atlantic District in c onvention 
authorize the formation of an Atlantic District Commission on 
Immigration and Immigration Resources; and be it further 
Resolved, T hat composition of the commission may include 
representatives from LSSNY and Global Refuge, as well as district 
rostered church workers and laity; and be it further 
Resolved, That the commission be established within 60 days of 
the 2025 Convention of the LCMS Atlantic District; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the tasks of the commission may include: 
• study of the 2012 CTCR document Immigrants Among Us  
and the 2018 complementary Bible study; 
• examination of migrant issues in the congregations of the 
district; 
• institution of programs, workshops, and individual 
consultation for the use of district congregations; 
• collaboration with LSSNY and Global Refuge on specific 
means to address those issues; 
• the creation of biblical, civil, and lawful guidelines to advise 
congregations on how best to care for our neighbors; 
• to provide —i n addition to workshops, programs, and 
consultation—regular remission of current programs, 
opportunities, and involvement in immigrant issues to be 
distributed via various means to congregations, 
congregational members, and rostered workers of the 
district; 
and be it further 
Resolved, T hat the d istrict budget include resources and 
opportunities for the commission; and be it finally 
Resolved, That this resolution, as passed by the delegates to the 
Atlantic District convention, be made available to share with other 
members of the Synod for appropriate adaptation ahead of the 2026 
Synod convention. 
Atlantic District 
Ov. 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. 3-07 
To Encourage Use of Telehealth  
Counseling Services for Care  
and Retention of Church Workers 
WHEREAS, Clergy and other professional church workers of The 
Lutheran Church — Missouri 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 
through telehealth; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage pastors and 
other church workers to view the use of professional counseling 
services, including telehealth counseling, as faithful stewardship of 
2026 Convention Workbook
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