structured today with the pro 

fessional church worker in mind.

 Pastors and teachers aren't

involved in church work because

of the money, but because of their

call of service to our Lord, 

observes Dan Leeman, president

and CEO of Worker Benefit

Plans.  We as a church body as

a part of our service to those

workers need to provide them

with quality, comprehensive cov 

erage during the stressful times of

their lives.  

Part of the WBP job is to

remind congregations and schools

For 27 years, Debbie Jolly, member services representative, has assisted

of  the extreme importance  of these benefits for

church workers with claims through Worker Benefit Plans.

their church workers, who are often compensated

less than their peers, according to Leeman.  We

much for the budget. What employers don't see is

also need to remind the workers just how much

how their contributions also help the young teacher

their congregations and schools are spending to

in another state who becomes disabled. It's the

provide for their care.  

pooled contributions that allow financial peace of

Leeman said the Plans  walk a narrow balance

mind as she tries to get her life, and her ministry,

beam  between providing quality benefits for

back on track.  

church workers and keeping the costs affordable for

Help after husband dies 

the organizations that provide the benefits. 

 We give glory to God for His blessings, 

Rev. Donald Berg, pastor of Bethel Lutheran

Leeman said,  so that the Plans might continue to

Church in Dallas, Texas, knows how the Plans pro 

demonstrate how 6,000 employers and 31,000 Plan

vide financial assistance during bereavement. 

members truly walk together for our Synod in 

Tiruwork (Terry) Tgeyorgise, an Ethiopian

service to God. 

immigrant, was a preschool worker at Bethel

when her husband died of cancer. 

 The death of her husband left Terry

   In 2002, the Concordia Retirement Plan and the Pension Plan for Pastors

devastated emotionally and financially,  said

and Teachers dispensed nearly $95 million in monthly benefits to LCMS

Berg.  She was already working full time for

retirees.

Bethel and part time at another job to help

fulfill her dreams of owning a house and

   The CRP pays out nearly $8 million annually in death benefits to surviv 

raise her 12 year old child. 

ing spouses (and dependents) of members who die during retirement.

Berg said she broke into tears when

   Approximately 4,500 retirees and widows receive benefits from the

she received a $10,000 survivor benefit from

Pension Plan for Pastors and Teachers, with about 500 yet to begin acti 

Worker Benefit Plans. 

vating their benefits.

 Your check helps demonstrate

Christian love to this community,  he told

   In 2002, the Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan paid more than $6

the Plans.  Thank you once again for your

million in disability benefits, nearly $5 million in lump sum death bene 

special ministry. 

fits, and approximately $2.5 million in health benefits.

   The Concordia Health Plan is expecting to pay out more than $141 mil 

A way of `walking together'

lion for 2002 health claim expenses, including medical, dental and pre 

The benefits provided by Worker

scription drugs.

Benefit Plans were designed and are 

38

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS (66)

Photo: Harold Rau