Benefits Connections 2018 Join the conversation! #benefitsconnections
Welcome
Getting to Know Each Other Providing benefits is important because The biggest challenge to providing benefits is I would like for the Board of Pensions to
Pursuing Wholeness and Vital Ministry
Opening Hymn: Take My Life Stanzas 1 and 3 Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee; take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Opening Hymn: Take My Life Stanzas 1 and 3 Take my voice and let me sing, always, only, for my King; take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee, filled with messages from thee.
Unison Prayer O God, who made us and desires for us abundant life: you call us together as your Church. Join us with those in all times and places who have praised your name, that with one heart and mind we may show your love and the unity of your Church, all to the honor of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Litany of Scripture Readings Leader: The Gospel of John begins: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him. (John 1:1-3)
Litany of Scripture Readings Men: From the story of creation: So God created humankind in his image, God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. (Genesis 1:27, 31)
Litany of Scripture Readings Women: Jesus says: I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)
Litany of Scripture Readings Leader: The prophet Micah reminds us: What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
Reflections On Wholeness and Vital Ministry
Hymn: Take My Life Stanza 5 Take my will and make it thine, it shall be no longer mine. Take my heart it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne; it shall be thy royal throne.
A Ministry of Wholeness
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Why and What: Benefits through the Board of Pensions
Serving More. Serving Better. Serving the Church. Theology of Benefits: The Foundation of Wholeness Spiritual Health Financial Vocational
2017 2018: Serving More. Serving Better. Flexibility and choice o Importance of values and principles o Depth of programs o Strength of relationships o Financial stewardship
Record of Stewardship Strong balance sheet Balanced investing and solid returns Dues: long-term stability and warranted reductions Administrative expenses: importance of size and scale Controlled trend
2019: Serving Better. Serving More. More flexibility and more choice o Same values and principles o Expanded programs o New relationships o Continued focus on stewardship
Financial: Income Security Retirement o Pension Plan o Retirement Savings Plan Death o Death and Disability o Group term life coverage
Health: Medical, Rx, Vision, Dental, EAP, Spending Accounts Medical Rx o Three coverage options: PPO, EPO, HDHP/HSA o Network consistency o Focus on prevention and quality o Preventive drug list Vision o Optional eyewear coverage
Wholeness: Reflects the Board s commitment to total well-being: o Spiritual o Health o Financial o Vocational Includes some unique challenges and rich rewards
Call to Health 2017 Report Card- Customized By Region Nationwide Results 2017 Local Results 2017 Registered Members 67% Completed Well-Being Assessment Achieved Level 1: Reduced 2018 Deductibles Achieved Level 2: $100 Amazon gift card 56% 46% 16%
Serving More. Serving Better. Serving the Church. Values in action o Wholeness o Compassion o Justice o Fair compensation
Serving the Church
Context Ministers are essential in the Presbyterian Church o Required role in Presbyterian governance o Value of theologically educated pastors o Healthy pastors nurture healthy congregations o Board s data confirms that congregations that can afford it call pastors However, number of ministers ordained and enrolled in the Benefits Plan decreases every year
Challenges Increasing the demand for ministers Increasing the supply of new ministers Congregational budgets and ministers financial needs o Medical Plan costs o Pension realities o Modest compensation
Supporting Churches Pathways to Renewal Reduced dues for five years o Applicable to churches that hire a minister under age 40 who has not previously been in Pastor s Participation» Small churches with no minister in Pastor s Participation; vacant for two years with no PNC activity» Churches that increase ministerial headcount and start new ministries» 2% pension, 1% D&D, two-thirds of medical percentage (19.75% for 2018; $6,000 minimum)» Effective July 1, 2018
Supporting Ministers Increasing Supply Full benefits provided at reduced cost through Pathways to Renewal Recently ordained CREDO program provided for all new minister members ($12,000 BOP commitment per minister) o Two one-week discernment conferences at one year interval o One-on-one mentoring between conferences Minister Educational Debt Assistance Grant expanded to $25,000; included for all minister members 30
Supporting Congregations and Ministers Healthy Pastors, Healthy Congregations Orientation of congregational leaders to the theology and value of benefits, compensation matters, and financial realities of pastors Financial education, personal and congregational, for pastors Ministerial Excellence Fund: grants for debt reduction or retirement savings Launching nationally in 2019!
Why Does This Matter? Ministers matter! The Church needs well trained, seasoned, healthy leaders Ministers who are never enrolled in the Benefits Plan have 52% higher rate of attrition
How Can We Serve You?
Lunch
Living Into Choice and Flexibility: What Churches Are Doing Today Panel Discussion
Plenary Wrap Up
We Value Your Feedback You can access our e-survey via your email on your mobile device or your desktop computer.
Closing Hymn: Lord, You Give the Great Commission Stanzas 1 and 2 Lord, you give the great commission: Heal the sick and preach the word. Lest the church neglect its mission, and the gospel go unheard, help us witness to your purpose with renewed integrity: with the Spirit s gifts empower us for the work of ministry.
Closing Hymn: Lord, You Give the Great Commission Stanzas 1 and 2 Lord, you call us to your service: In my name baptize and teach. That the world may trust your promise, life abundant meant for each, give us all new fervor, draw us closer in community: with the Spirit s gifts empower us for the work of ministry.