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 4000 pastors plus spouses in retreats, it was learned that the primary challenges among pastors to be 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%), intellectual health (81%), along with physical wellbeing and health of relationships (77%), and The Barna Group reports that attendees experienced improvement in emotional wellbeing (73%) and accountability (61%); and
WHEREAS, Concordia Plan Services (CPS) through their Employee Assistance Program and Pastoral Support Network, Ministerial Care Coalition, and other wellness programs offer both preventive and treatment options for the wellbeing of workers and families; and
WHEREAS, DOXOLOGY, The Lutheran Center of Spiritual Care and Counsel, has reported 1 that women who have attended DOXOLOGY with their husbands have disclosed that their husbands who completed the program have experienced progress in handling stress, are more content and joyful in ministry, more attentive to wife and family, and relate more effectively with their members; and
WHEREAS, DOXOLOGY reports that among other ministerial wellness results, 34 percent of pastors who participate in the three-part training and spiritual care program have noted a significant difference in their ministry as a result of being able to detect compassion fatigue and respond to it in healthy ways, and 46 percent of pastors have grown in their recognition and appreciation of emotional intelligence and its application in ministry; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of ministers “lack awareness” of ministerial wellness resources already available; and
WHEREAS, Over 70 percent of district presidents in a recent survey stated they would refer ministers to clinical pastoral education programs if they were vetted, affordable, and convenient; therefore be it
Resolved, That Concordia Plan Services, DOXOLOGY, Grace Place Wellness Ministries, Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat, Soldiers of the Cross, and Veterans of the Cross be commended for their service to ministers and spouses; and be it further
Resolved, That the above named ministries and other identified LCMS-approved ministerial wellness services be promoted within districts and circuits as valuable resources for ministerial and family care; and be it finally
Resolved, that clinical pastoral education programs be identified, vetted and recommended through the Office of National Mission and Specialized Pastoral Ministry to district presidents and circuit visitors as sources of support for ordained and commissioned ministers who need to increase competency in pastoral care, explore a vocational change, and/or become revitalized for parish ministry.