A Message from the President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chair of the Board of Trustees
At the heart of the Pension Boards’ mission is a simple but profound belief: a just and thriving ministry is essential to creating a just world for all.
As ministry professionals—whether clergy, lay workers, or caregivers—you live out this vision through your dedication, compassion, and commitment to God and service. Our role is to ensure you can focus on your call without carrying the weight of unnecessary burdens. By establishing a strong foundation—financially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually—you can serve our UCC communities and devote more of your energy to the mission of the church more confidently and with knowing that you are supported and secure.
You deserve dignity and peace of mind knowing that you will have health and financial security today, when you retire, or continue to serve in your later years. We help provide that security, while upholding United Church of Christ values in every aspect of our ministry service through:
- Ministerial Resources: Grants, leadership programs, and financial wellness initiatives.
- Retirement and Health Benefits: Holistic support for your wellbeing, now and in the future.
- Stewardship and Legacy Programs: Tools to help you plan, give, and build lasting impact.
Since 1914, it has been the Pension Boards’ mission to partner with you to provide valued services leading to greater financial security and wellness. This work continues to evolve and advance.
As we move forward with new leadership, we are taking the time to pause, listen, and learn—acknowledging the needs and challenges our ministers face today within the UCC. We’ve heard the concerns and realities around achieving economic stability, gaining equitable compensation, navigating rising costs, securing future income despite uncertainties of the future of Social Security, managing student loan debt, working bi-vocationally while raising families and overseeing church responsibilities, plus so much more.
What we have witnessed and understood is this: You are resilient. You thrive. You carry on. But you are not alone.
The Pension Boards is walking alongside you.
As was stated in the Pension Boards’ plenary address at General Synod 35, “we are surrounded by a diverse and deeply committed team at the Pension Boards. We bring different gifts and experiences to the table, and together we are focused on one thing: strengthening the foundation from which you serve. That means offering more than just benefits. It means providing stability in uncertain times. It means listening, adapting, and walking with you through every season of ministry.”
In 2025, we have made a concerted effort to meet you where you are in life and in your call to serve by providing the tools, education, and resources you need to support your overall wellbeing. Your insights, experiences, and needs are actively shaping how we strengthen and optimize our offerings. This listening posture is guiding us toward better alignment with the evolving needs of our church, our ministries, and the people who make them possible.
In our 2025 Annual Report—Because of Ministry…Community Thrives—we highlight a few accomplishments from the past year, but not to boast, but rather demonstrate our care, compassion, and commitment to serving your needs. You matter to us and you matter to your community. Be equipped to serve from a place of strength and wholeness as you maximize Pension Boards’ offerings in the year ahead. Together, we can build a future where every minister and church worker not only serves faithfully but thrives fully.
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David A. Klassen President and CEO The Pension Boards-United Church of Christ, Inc. |
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Rev. Rodney Franklin, D.Min., BCC Chair, Board of Trustees The Pension Boards-United Church of Christ, Inc. |