Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2026 · 69th Convention, Phoenix › Page 301
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 301

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

MERCY
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 convention
authorize the formation of an Atlantic District Commission on
Immigration and Immigration Resources; and be it further
Resolved, That 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—in 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, That the district 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 Resolution 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

301

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