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Christianity Today, August, 2008 |

Blessed Insurance

Many pastors lack access to adequate health benefits.

Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra | posted 7/07/2008 08:39AM

...

The majority of denominations that responded to the survey offered little or no health insurance to pastors or other fulltime church staff.

"It's really a crisis," NAE president Leith Anderson said. ...

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Donaldo

Posted: July 09, 2008 3:55 PM

(*sigh*) Too few are aware that government mandates are the very reason why health care is so expensive today. Do your reading, and discover that taking health care out of the realm of free market competition is no more sensible than taking other worthy needs (food, shelter, some would even say education) out too! A little socialism here & there is unworthy of us endowed by our Creator with liberty.

Tim	Posted: July 09, 2008 8:55 AM

We need to address this issue as a society and quit acting like there is no problem. People with even minor health problems find it almost impossible to get health insurance execpt at very high prices. Let's call this what it really is... sin. This society sins by making health insurance impossible to afford for the most vulnerable. There are a couple of things our government should do. First, take the profit out of health insurance. For profit companies should not be allowed to market health insurance, keep health insurance in the non-profit sector. Second, health insurance needs to be subsidized based on income. Again, it is a societal sin for the richest nation on earth to refuse to take care of it's own people... and our political leaders should stand up to the plate and really address this issue... Tax credits are NOT the fix.

Hal Ward

Posted: July 09, 2008 7:05 AM

American pastors constantly politic for Republicans who oppose universal health care... so are we supposed to feel sorrow for them for losing their health insurance? American evangelicals need to wake up and smell the coffee. As to the above comment, the only people who think that the USA has the best medical program in the world are Americans who have never been anywhere. I'm a missionary in Europe, my wife is Canadian and I shudder to think of my kids getting sick in the US... best place to experience the Third World is an American emergency room.

Norman

Posted: July 08, 2008 4:11 PM


This issue also confronts mission organizations, particularly those with either a small membership base, or those that are top-heavy with older members. There is a clear opportunity for churches and mission agencies to partner together for more affordable policies.

Alfredo Mount

Posted: July 08, 2008 1:03 PM

I was a pastor of a small Spanish speaking CBA church. They continue to pay my Kaiser Permanente health insurance which I had enrolled in since returning from Panama in 1977. Kaiser paid for my by-pass surgery and my wife's radiation treatments. I believe that too many pastors are afraid of HMO's. Kaiser has excellent service in Southern California. The church always kept its commitment to cover our health insurance through its affiliation with the English speaking congregation and Christian School. The association health program would have been much more expensive for the congregation and would not have had as good coverage. God blessed us through their thoughtfulness.

Jay	Posted: July 08, 2008 12:51 PM

Regarding universal health care: I have been working in the health insurance field for over 19 years now and have investigated first hand the Canadian system. It works great for office visits, broken bones, sutuers, etc., But when it comes to major surgery; not good. The current wait for a heart bypass surgery is 19 months! In the USA it is a few days. Some of the richest hospitals in the USA are a close drive from Canada; and the Canadians pay cash! If we had a government health plan; it would be horrible. Watch out what you wish for. Just another American trying to explain that the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side of the fence. Jesus Christ rules! Jay

Ruth	Posted: July 08, 2008 12:20 PM

Many states have state-mandated health insurance that is affordable and open to individuals even with many medical problems, but this is not well-known. And to the man who chose to put more money into his retirement instead of purchasing insurance-- if you do have an accident or major medical problem, you will not be able to receive state or federal government aid until you have totally spent your retirement and divested yourself of other assets except your home. And $300,000.00 will not go far when one requires major medical services.

Wife and Mom

Posted: July 08, 2008 10:36 AM

Michael Wade could not have said it any better! My husband is a dairy farmer, we have gone without insurance many times. Thankfully we have not ever had any major health issues. The USA does need a complete over haul of the health system I agree. I do think that maybe pastors would have more understanding for others if they had to go without a few things. We live in a rural area and I am sure urban life is much different maybe. We see so many pastors in rural small town America who come expecting the finest of everything,big salaries and full benefits.Living far above most of the congregation. It seems as if the pastorate has become a career, not a calling. I do not think they should live like poor church mice either though.

Eric Hanson

Posted: July 08, 2008 8:21 AM

Christian Healthcare Ministries is a wonderful alternative to Health Insurance Companies. There are certain lifestyle requirements, such as you must not smoke in order to participate, but these are common sense requirements. They are a wonderful non-profit organization that our little country church (Hosanna Church, Oxford Maine) has tapped into for many years. Check them out at www.chministries.org. It costs vastly less than insurance and there is the opportunity to pray for new people every month too! Blessings to all of you!

Michael Wade

Posted: July 08, 2008 8:00 AM

I'm self employed so I can sympathize with the dilemma these pastors are going through. But maybe it'll make them more sympathetic to their congregations. I don't seem to remember anyone in the scriptures having a medical plan. Nor did my great grand parents have a medical plan. I don't want to sound callous but we do have certain expectations in the civilized west that aren't enjoyed by the multitudes of fellow believers in the rest of the world. As for the health care crisis in America I don't think that a health care system that offers doctors visits by lottery or having to pull your own teeth because you're in such pain but can't see a dentist (http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2007/10/17/2007-10-17_blimey_b ritish_pull_own_teeth_in_dentist.html) or that sends out notices that you can come in for your electrocardiogram if you're not already dead (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/20/health/main681801.shtml?cmp=EM87 05) is the answer that we're looking for.

PJ Brown

Posted: July 08, 2008 7:53 AM


It would be good if churches could unite beyond denominational boundaries to become a group large enough to procure insurance rates affordable by ministers.

Dan	Posted: July 08, 2008 7:52 AM

What is really disturbing to me is that the Wesleyan Church no longer offers a group plan for its pastors, but they do offer a group plan for district and denominational officials. Furthermore, they add those benefits into the salary package of those "leaders" which, then, the local churches pay through the assessments we are given. So while my local church can not afford to offer me health insurance because the denomination does not offer a plan, I am required to pay for those at the top. I get my insurance through my wife's employer.

David

Posted: July 08, 2008 5:40 AM

See www.guidestone.com. Guide Stone Financial Resources is the financial services agency of the Southern Baptist Convention, but it services other interested evangelical denominations/congregations at least to some extent; its market niche is small and it's had to become more creative during the past 5 years due to the loss of even Southern Baptist churches/pastors who were otherwise loyal but had mouths to feed and couldn't afford rapidly escalating insurance costs. Otherwise, a more self-funded approach to providing health insurance to church staff's is an option (continue to offer insurance, but select a policy with a higher deductible; divert the savings between the two policies into a general fund budget account for those insured--they "tap" that account via the congregation's administrator when their health care costs rise above the original deductible, up to the level of the new deductible [after that, would have been on their own anyway]; need to fund account once only)

Billy Reed

Posted: July 07, 2008 9:35 PM

Here is my opinion, not the word of the LORD, just my opinion. Government run health care does not work. Why do hospitals in the U. S. near the Canadian border have so many Canadians in them? If they can get get "free" health care in Canada why come here? Here is a practical suggestion for churches and or pastors-look into joinning your local Chamber of Commerce. Many of them offer access to health plans for good rates. If you live in a small town try your state Chamber. Look for some kind of group plan some where in your area. Do not get health insurance as an individual, you need to get in some kind of group plan some where. Keep looking and good luck.

:Gregory-Alan: Johnson

Posted: July 07, 2008 7:27 PM


By faith they have the best health care there is: Jesus Christ. This is a clear indication of the body being out of step with the Bible. This nation will fall due to the body's continued disobedience!

Pete Benson, editor UNITYINCHRIST.COM

Posted: July 07, 2008 7:03 PM

Look into what Pastor Bill said about Samaritan Ministries, and I agree with what Hank Yarbosk said in his comment. But I hate to see what the politicians in the US will do to create a universal healthcare package. The debacle of the Massachusetts healthcare plan is so perverse it's not even funny. They penalize anyone who doesn't have health insurance (a $900 penalty for not having healthcare insurance!) when they should have made it mandatory for all companies, large and small, to provide the service. That's what happens when you have a pro-business-as-usual governor design suçh a program, and then a Democratic governor (Deval Patrick) place his stamp of approval on this attrocity of a plan...Come, Jesus, come, Yeshua who healed the masses...and bless all you pastors who labor, in spite of no adequate insurance, to nourish your flocks. Jesus, Yeshua loves you more for your sacrifice! Agape' & Shalom, Pete

caveat bettor

Posted: July 07, 2008 4:38 PM

One problem with health costs is that they are hyperinflationary. This is due to government subsidies. (Education is also inflationary, and it, too, is heavily subsidized). Singapore has comparable healthcare outcomes to the U.S. for about 25% of the costs. But many christians may end up advocating for even greater subsidies, at least the ones I speak to about policy. I would defer to 1 Timothy 5 on the question of benefits for a pastor who is doing a good job preaching and teaching: a granted of a "double honor". Hopefully, the church will be able to exegete what that means ...

Hellmut Noelle

Posted: July 07, 2008 2:54 PM


Here in Canada we don't have the same worry because the government provides health. Sure sometimes the wait list are a bit longer than with the private system in the States but we don't have a large segment of the population for whom it is, "no money, good bye."

Denton

Posted: July 07, 2008 2:45 PM

Having insurance doesn't mean you lack faith, and not having it when it is available and affordable shows a lack of common sense. But when our shephards cannot enjoy a similar economic experience to the average member of his church, then the shame falls on the congregation or if he is supported by his denomination, then the shame falls on his overseers. If denominational leadership has benefits, then the pastors who serve should have benefits. For the pastor who lacks coverage and it just isn't available within his economic means, then he must first seek God's will in the matter and continue to stand faithful. Those who enjoy great health should be careful not to judge the faith of those who experience health issues. Even great stewards of the faith can experience health setbacks, and adding judgment against one who is already suffering would grieve the Spirit of God.

Will	Posted: July 07, 2008 2:44 PM

Unfortunately, the US does NOT have the world's best medical program. The US ranks far down the scale in even basic measures like infant deaths. Compared to the rest of the industrialized nations, our health care system is both the most expensive and the most inefficient - insurance companies skim off about 30% of every dollar we "spend" on health care. As a country we long ago decided that mandatory free public education was a benefit to the whole society - it is time to realize that it is likewise a benefit for kids (and adults) to be healthy and institute universal public health care for our nation.

Hank Yarbosk

Posted: July 07, 2008 2:02 PM

A government health care plan is best for everybody involved. Access to medical care should not be determined by wealth - and it is the wealthy or very fortunate indeed that can afford private insurance in the US. (It seems that pastors, bless them, are not in that group.) The fact is that insurance companies and medicine-for-profit groups are making a LOT of money from our current system. We have a system based on greed, and there's nothing Christian about that. Government-run health care does work in other countries - and it works well, but it is not perfect. It is true that people do wait for some services, but all have access. Jesus must surely weep when he sees such a wealthy nation do so little to protect the basic human right of care for the ill. They are the least of us.

Perry

Posted: July 07, 2008 2:01 PM


Universal health care is not a right. If we let the best medical program in the world (USA) go the way the rest of the world has gone, shame on us Jim Thanks for you statement. We have to help others to see the truth that you gave us.

Rev. David Hammock

Posted: July 07, 2008 2:01 PM

There are numerous organizations that exist and new groups that continue to break ground representing the bulk purchasing power of Christians particularly in the area of health care coverage. The rates are reasonable and the terms of coverage are as well.Christians can find discounts on anything they are willing to look for the discount on and that they are willing to unify on. But, Christians can't even agree on what color to paint the bathrooms in the new church addition, much less health care. It's all really quite simple. Don't expect the government or corporate America to do it. Christians can do it themselves. Wonder what Jesus would say to all of this? "My people perish for a lack of knowledge" applies to all of God's truth that we need to know. Are we afraid to do it God's way because we've never done it this way before? The loss is ours and the body's as a whole. Rev. David Hammock CEO Revivals For America www.revivalsforamerica.org

CT is Biased

Posted: July 07, 2008 1:50 PM

Prominent Pastor & Grammy nominated recording artist Rev. Timothy Wright was involved in a fatal car crash in Central Pennsylvania on Friday evening that killed both his wife and grandson while returning home to new York from a Church of God in Christ convention Detroit. This story is featured on CNN.com: http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/07/wrong.waycrash.ap/index.html?ir ef=hpmostpop -> I already sent this via email to editors at Christianitytoday.com and have not received so much as a response from them. I wonder why this Christian magazine is not acknowledging a tragedy involving a Gospel music icon while CNN (a secular publication) is carrying the story? In fact, as of a few minutes ago, it was one of the most popular story on CNN. Why the bias? Sorry I "hijacked" this topic, but I'm just a little frustrated CT's disregard for (yes I'll say it) news, persectives, and even common respect for the issues that matter to Christians who are minorities.

Connie

Posted: July 07, 2008 1:40 PM

It's a shame that we, the church, are seeking the government to take care of this problem. As a pastor (and spouse of a pastor), I know the problem. However, seeking government interference (or as you call it assistance) is not the answer. Why is universal health care such a difficult thing for the US? Probably because those of us against it know less-than-wealthy people in Canada, Germany, and the UK who have to wait inordinate amounts of time for basic care and surgery, and because we know how this government has messed up almost everything it gets its hands on (look at the education crisis in this country) while taxing us more and more. Government interference is not the answer. Churches getting away from denominational lines, and toward more ecumenical purchasing of health care policies for members of numerous denominations, would help more churches obtain affordable policies for their pastors and other staff.

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