LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 263

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Whereas, In order to become a certified professional church
worker in the LCMS, students are required to attend a Concordia
University System school or an LCMS seminary; and
Whereas, Attending a Concordia University System school also
well equips men for subsequent seminary training; and
Whereas, The seminaries are pursuing making financial counseling available to all students; therefore be it
Resolved, That the leadership of our Concordias—seminaries
and universities/colleges—explore alternate funding sources apart
from federal loans; and be it further
Resolved, That schools in the Concordia University System provide financial counseling to church worker students throughout
their academic careers; and be it further
Resolved, That the congregations and ministries of the Synod
identify and raise up the next generation of leaders for the ministry of the church and support them financially in obtaining their
training; and be it finally
Resolved, That districts of the Synod be encouraged to develop
means by which they may financially assist students preparing for
church work careers and current church workers.
Action: Adopted (9)
(During brief discussion, an amendment was proposed to
add “and current church workers” at the end of the final resolve
paragraph. The committee accepted the change as a friendly
amendment. Without further discussion, Res. 18-03A was adopted
as changed [Yes: 887; No: 14].)

To Encourage Congregations, Ministries,
and Church Workers to Develop
an Intentional Wellness Care Plan
RESOLUTION 18-04
Reports R1.2, R13 (CW, pp. 27, 74–76); President’s Report, Part
2 (TB, pp. 21–31)
Whereas, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Eph.
6:10–18), and these satanic attacks on congregations, ministries,
marriages, families, and individuals can lead to despair, loneliness,
poor choices, and sin; and
Whereas, The most disciplined and faithful workers struggle
with the weakness of the flesh (Rom. 7:18–25); and
Whereas, Many congregations and ministries are facing
numerical decline and financial pressures leading to greater stress
on workers; and
Whereas, Congregations and ministries know the value of
healthy church workers; and
Whereas, Church workers know the gifts God has given to His
own dear children even in the midst of struggles and suffering; and

“18. Worker Wellness”

Whereas, There is measurable value in forming and following
an intentional and articulated plan; therefore be it
Resolved, That congregation and ministry leaders be encouraged
to become informed of LCMS- and community-based resources in
order to provide and assist church workers with emotional, physical, relational, and spiritual wellness; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations and ministries be encouraged to
develop intentional plans for church worker care of body, mind,
and spirit, drawing on the rich resources available that include
Concordia Plan Services, Grace Place Wellness Ministries, DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel, and
Shepherd’s Canyon; and be it finally
Resolved, That church workers be encouraged to develop an
intentional self-care plan as part of their continuing education
portfolio.
(Without discussion and with no objection from the assembly,
the vote was called and Res. 18-04 was adopted as presented [Yes:
871; No: 39].)

To Encourage District Presidents, Circuit
Visitors, and Congregations to Utilize Resources
Already Established for Ministerial Wellness
RESOLUTION 18-05
Reports R1.2, R13 (CW, pp. 27, 30, 74–76); President’s Report,
Part 2 (TB, pp. 21–31)
Whereas, Ministry is demanding, and the minister is to maintain high standards (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1); and
Whereas, On the basis of retreats offered at Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat since 2009, it is reported that common sentiments of
ministers’ spouses attending weeklong counseling retreats have
included feelings of resentment, powerlessness, intimidation, and
sadness regarding dynamics within the congregation over which
they have little influence; and yet by the end of the retreat, Shepherd’s Canyon reports that the retreat has resulted in many saved
ministries and hopeful marriages along with participants gaining
additional tools, insights, and appreciation for having experienced
a safe place to work on themselves; and
Whereas, Based on Grace Place Wellness Ministries serving
over 4,000 pastors plus spouses in retreats, it was learned that the
primary challenges among pastors are various forms of isolation,
financial challenges, and dealing with perceived unreasonable
expectations of congregations; and in independent assessments
of retreat participants by the Alban Institute, respondents overwhelmingly report improvements in spiritual health (94%) and
intellectual health (81%), along with physical well-being and health
of relationships (77%); and The Barna Group reports that attendees experienced improvement in emotional well-being (73%) and
accountability (61%); and

U P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions

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