Official Workbook PDF page source text

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

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 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 wellbeing 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

301MERCY