Bishop Murray Finck, Pacifica Synod, led people at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly in morning Stretch and Pray sessions. These are based on his book by the same name, which combines physical and spiritual well-being. Stretch and Pray is available in book or DVD format from retailers including Augsburg Fortress, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. (click on the image for a higher resolution image for use in print publications)

When the ELCA Board of Pensions (BOP) reviewed the results of the 2006 optional online health assessments that their members took, they were concerned. The numbers showed that ELCA plan members were less healthy than the national average. They recognized that at the same time health care costs were increasing, mission support was decreasing. Without healthy leaders to lead the church and with dwindling funds being allocated to health care costs, how could the church be expected to grow? The BOP turned their attention to enhancing members’ well-being to develop healthy leaders.

The BOP began by urging bishops to use the Wholeness Wheel for direction in living healthy lives themselves and to make it a focus in their synods. The Wholeness Wheel is an illustration of a multi-dimensional approach to wellness, including spiritual, vocational, intellectual, emotional, physical, social, and financial elements of well-being.

Beginning in 2008, the BOP began providing incentive for members to complete their health assessments, thereby giving them the chance to evaluate their health and strive to improve their well-being. Every year since 2008, the Southeastern Minnesota Synod has had enough BOP primary care medical plan members complete their assessments to earn congregations two percent savings on their health care costs. Members who complete the assessment also have had the opportunity to earn $300 or more in personal wellness dollars, which can be used for reimbursement of most medical and other related expenses. In 2011 synods that reached 65 percent completion, which included the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, also received a one percent award to be used for wellness initiatives in the synod. In 2011 this meant that congregations saved and the synod received $24,100 for wellness initiatives.

For the last four years, the synod has encouraged BOP plan members to take their health assessments in order to improve their well-being and save congregations money. This year the synod is working with the BOP to offer a Journey of Renewal to about 20 synod plan members. A portion of the $24,100 will cover the costs for plan members who complete the one-year wellness program.

The BOP continues to find ways to lead the ELCA to be a healthier church. Anyone can join their Facebook page “Live Well ELCA” for conversation about healthy living. A Journey of Renewal is available to any plan member and Live Well days are available for ten or more plan members.

Congregations have come up with many exciting ways to lift up wellness in their own midst: Bible studies and support groups focus on weight loss, laughing yoga encourages the many benefits of laughter, chair yoga offers stretching for people of any physical ability, gardens produce healthy food for members and food shelves, book groups challenge members intellectually, and money management programs teach financial well-being. The possibilities are endless!

Featured Resources

• EmbodyHealth (for health assessments and other resources, 2012 assessments available January 1) – www.elcaforwellness.org
• Wholeness Wheel – www.elcabop.org/Home/LiveWell/WholenessWheel.aspx
• Journey of Renewal – semnsynod.org/a-journey-of-renewal
• Live Well ELCA on Facebook – www.facebook.com/livewellelca
• Money Management Ideas – semnsynod.org/money-management