When Rev. Stanley Rosenau entered the ministry in 1953, he earned $125 a month. His first congregations never participated in the Synod’s pension plan. For a time, Rosenau depended on small but regular Veterans of the Cross payments to make the difference “between starvation and a halfway decent living.”
At 82, Rosenau calls himself “an unretired retired pastor.” He now serves part-time at Trinity Lutheran Church, Janesville, Wis., teaching a Bible class and making nursing home and hospital visits.
Today, Rosenau no longer needs Veterans of the Cross assistance. Instead of being a recipient, he has donated to the program, which he calls a blessing. “It keeps you out of the poorhouse,” he said, chuckling.
To help as many eligible retirees as possible, Veterans of the Cross coordinators keep the program’s administrative costs minimal. Ninety-five percent of all contributions go to church workers in need. A Concordia Plan Services review committee checks financial backgrounds to ensure each applicant’s eligibility.
To make a referral for a potential Veterans of the Cross recipient or to apply for benefits, here are two options:
Here are three ways to make a Veterans of the Cross donation:
Posted June 3, 2009
