LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1992, Page 168

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168 . RESOLUTIONS

to take other steps to lower costs while maintaining in-
dividual program autonomy and quality services.

It is a good idea for employers to compare the Concordia
Health Plan with other health plans to find out what kind
of coverage they have now versus what else is available.
Anyone can, of course, purchase less coverage at a lower
cost. However, many congregations and other entities of
the Synod have found it difficult to find comparable cov-
erage at equal or less cost. When making such a compar-
ison, it is important to compare plans on an equal basis so
nothing is overlooked. Key and unique elements of the
LCMS plan are

+ waiver of contributions while a worker is disabled;

* portability when transferring from one LCMS employer
to another;

‘+ dental coverage, particularly orthodontic coverage;

* comprehensive coverage for mental health care and sub-
stance abuse care;

* continued coverage available to the worker after retire-
ment and to surviving dependents after the worker's
death.

Whereas, The Board of Managers of the Concordia
Health Plan is involved in a comprehensive study of health
care delivery alternatives which is expected to be com-
pleted with results in place by Jan. 1, 1994; and

Wuereas, The committee on Human Care, Floor Com--

mittee 7, is concerned that workers have been negatively
impacted through increased deductibles; and

Wuereas, There is concern that some congregations are
requiring the workers to absorb a greater portion of the
insurance premium (e.g., paying for dependent coverage);
and

Wuereas, Workers’ salaries have not increased suffi-
ciently to offset these additional costs; therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention commend the Board of
Managers for its past cost containment initiatives and en-
courage them to continue their approach to reducing
health care costs while retaining the quality of care for the
workers; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to be sen-
sitive to the impact of increased health care costs on work-
ers’ spendable income; and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations be urged to review their
present compensation packages in order to limit the cu-
mulative effect of rising health care cost to the worker.

Action: Adopted as amended (6).

{In the second resolve, the words “be encouraged to” were
added by common consent. An effort to amend the resolution by
adding severa) whereases and a resolve stating, “Resolved, That
seminarians be included in the Concordia Health Plan” was de-
clared out of order as not being germane to the thrust of the
resolution which dealt with containing costs of the Concordia
Health Pian. An amendment calling for a fina) resolve to state,
“Resolved, That the Synod direct the Concordia Health Plan Board
of Managers to develop policies which will enable all congrega-
tions of the LCMS in the spirit of Galatians 6:2 to share the
responsibility for health care and protection of those among us
who labor in the Lord” was declined. Also declined was an amend-
ment which would direct the Board of Directors to seek other
means of providing health and welfare benefits to the church’s
workers.)

To Assist Professional Church Workers
and Congregations
RESOLUTION 7-03
Overtures 2-28, 2-31, 7-16A—C (CW, pp. 178-79, 287)

Wuereas, God has given to His church “some to be apos-
tles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some
to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for
works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built
up” (Eph. 4:11-12); and ‘

Wuenreas, Acts of affirmation and expressions of thanks
to God for fellow members of the body of Christ are not
only biblical and needed, but also instrumental in “building
up the body of Christ,” as well as one means of “speaking
the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15); and “the elders who direct
the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,
especially those whose work is preaching and teaching”
(1 Tim. 5:17); and

Wuereas, The 1979, 1981, 1983 and 1989 synodical con-
ventions and the Board for Human Care Ministries, Stand-
ing Committee on Ministerial Health/Health and Healing
Ministries have identified the necessity of focusing on the
needs of the Synod’s professional church workers so that
we might be better stewards of God’s various gifts to His
church; therefore be it

Resolved, That congregations express their love and
concern for professional church workers, their families,
and the congregational community by directing congre-
gational entities responsible for personnel matters (1) to
inquire into the demands on the skills and emotional life
of professional church workers and their families; (2) to
discuss, encourage, and monitor a healthy balance between
the professional, personal, and family life of professional
church workers; (3) to encourage continuing education by
supporting this education with time and money alloca-
tions; and (4) to encourage professional church workers’
participation in professional support groups; and be it
further -

Resolved, That with the aid, encouragement, direction,
and, support of the Board for Human Care Ministrics,
Standing Committee on Ministerial Health/Health and
Healing Services, the Council of Presidents, Circuit Coun-
selors, and the individual Districts’ Ministerial Health
Committee/Commission, congregations and their lay lead-
ership be urged to plan and observe “Church Worker Af-
firmation Sunday” on an annual basis, using materials
provided through the entities listed above and that, in con-
sultation with the BHE, a church worker recruitment em-
phasis be incorporated in the Affirmation Sunday
observance; and be it further

Resolved, That pastors and their wives be encouraged
to participate in the “Uplifting Pastors’ Families” retreats
designed by the Synod’s Joint Committee on Family Re-
newal and that congregations be encouraged to support
their pastor and wife’s participation by making necessary
weekend arrangements and by considering financially sup-
porting their pastor and wife’s attendance; and: be it
further

Resolved, That the Board for Human Care Ministries,
Standing Committee on Ministerial Health/Health and