Serving Church Workers
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
“If one member suffers, all suffer together…” (1 Cor. 12:26)
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod members care about pastors, teachers and other church workers who teach us about Jesus and dedicate their lives to sharing God’s love.
To lend a hand to those servants when financial crises hit, the LCMS established two ministries — “Soldiers of the Cross” and “Veterans of the Cross.”
Provides small, periodic stipends and pastoral care for church work retirees (or their surviving spouses) who struggle to pay for basic living expenses, such as medicine or utility bills. Administered by Concordia Plan Services, the fund relies on donations raised by the LCMS.
Learn more about Veterans of the Cross
Assists current church workers with transitional or emergency financial needs, typically for one to three months, and offers pastoral care and case management. Employment and health challenges often trigger the need for SOTC, which depends solely on contributions through the Synod.
Learn more about Soldiers of the Cross
Needs are growing for both ministries, especially during economically tough times when already modest pensions and salaries can be stretched thin by illness, layoffs and other financial crises.