Retreat Centers & Ministries
LCMS Recognized Service Organizations
Grace Place Lutheran Wellness Ministries – A retreat and lifestyle program offering integrated health attitudes and skills to Professional Church Workers of the LCMS and their spouses. Reimbursement Form – PDF
Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat – offers week-long counseling retreats for men and women in ministry crisis.
Non-Denominational
Resources
Michigan District Mental Health Case Worker
Listing of Mental Health Counselors
Concordia Plan Services
Financial Peace University Offer
In order to enrich the financial health of our Professional Church Workers in the District, the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support recently passed the motion to offer $50 toward the purchase of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. You can purchase the home study version, attend an online course, or a local class. If you choose to attend a local class you can receive an extra $10 off by making your purchase through Erwin Gunnells and mentioning the “Michigan District Discount.” You can find out more about this course here. To receive your $50, simply submit your proof of purchase to the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support at the District Office. The address is: 3773 Geddes Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105-3098. For more information, contact Greg Arnett.
Let’s Talk it Over: Ten Conversations on Supporting Church Workers
A DVD with vignettes, discussion questions and Bible study helps that will spark heathly conversations between congregations and their workers. For more information contact: LCMS World Relief and Human Care | 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122 | Judy Ladage
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Assistance
If you are in the Concordia Health Plan (CHP), you have mental health and substance abuse benefits. Check your member ID card for contact information. In addition, all CHP members have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through CIGNA Behavioral Health which includes six free visits and unlimited phone calls to EAP counselors. Call 866.726.5267 to contact the CIGNA EAP. You will be talking confidentially to a clinical representative. Tell that person about your situation and that you are looking for a Christian counselor — someone who shares your belief in Christ as Savior. She or he will offer you a list of people to contact.
The Michigan District also provides a mental health case manager to help navigate these decisions.
Ministerial Care Coalition “Burnout First Aid Kit”
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to help members and dependents cope with stress, depression, marital difficulties, and a variety of other work, family, and life issues. All EAP services are free and confidential to covered members of the CHP and can be accessed 24/7 at cignabehavioral.com or 866.726.5267.
The PSN, or Pastoral Support Network, is an EAP specifically designed for ordained pastors and those that live in a pastor’s home. The Pastoral Support Network is free and confidential to all ordained ministers and those that live in an ordained pastor’s home (regardless of enrollment in the Concordia Plans) and can be reached at 888.712.1805.
Holding Up The Prophet’s Hands
The Commission on Ministerial Growth & Support helped to bring Dr. Bruce Hartung, associate professor of practical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., and author of “Holding Up The Prophets’ Hands” to Michigan to lead discussions on church worker care teams and ongoing support.
In November 2012, the District hosted an event at Faith Lutheran Church in Troy, Michigan, to start a conversation on church worker care. Here is a YouTube playlist for the three sessions led by Dr. Bruce Hartung.
Webinar – Holding Up The Prophets’ Hands 202
The Michigan District, LCMS held a webinar on March 28, 2014, as a follow-up to the conference. The webinar was entitled “Holding Up The Prophet’s Hands 202” and is available to view on YouTube here.