Posted on June 25, 2025 by Angela Kollbaum, LIMHP, CPC, DCE
Church Worker Wellness
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Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Summertime is a time of change for some churches and church workers. Newly graduated Seminarians are being ordained and installed in their first congregations, newly commissioned DCE’s, Deaconesses, and Teachers are making plans to begin their ministry, and seasoned Church Workers may be moving to a new ministry setting. Whatever season you are in your Calling, the Lutheran Family Service Church Worker Wellness Team is here to serve you because you do not have to do it alone!
Currently we have four members on this team: Pastor Dave Gunderson (SD), Pastor Nathan Grewe (IA), Lindy Hinckley (SD), and Angela Kollbaum (NE). They are here to assist Church Workers as they navigate the joys and challenges of ministry.
Meet The Team
We will be reintroducing each member of our Church Worker Wellness Team over the coming months
Rev. David Gunderson is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Intern, who joined the Lutheran Family Service counseling team in March 2022. Dave completed his Master’s degree in counseling at Sioux Falls Seminary in January 2022 and since has attained his license to practice as a therapist intern in South Dakota.
Before his counseling degree, David earned a Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1981. From 1981 to 2018 David served in the pastoral ministry in South Dakota. In addition to his parish ministry, David served as an Army Chaplain in the South Dakota National Guard from 1989 to 2016. In 2010 David deployed as a chaplain to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom
David’s experience both as parish pastor and Army chaplain has equipped him to better serve as a counselor for church workers and military veterans. David is willing to provide counseling to any individual or couples seeking help.
In working with Lutheran Family Service, David has the opportunity to provide Christ centered counseling to others, especially for pastors and other church workers and their families. As David likes to state, “In my work, I found most people knew Jesus as their way to eternal life, but they were struggling to live their life now in this world. As a Christ centered counselor, I strive to help them in their struggles and to remind them that Christ is their Lord and Savior who is with them always!”
David has been married to Connie (Larsen) for forty-seven years. They are blessed with two children and six grandchildren.
In addition to the support of our Church Worker Wellness Team, Concordia Plan Services has enhanced EAP through Evernorth Health Services called Confide Behavioral Health Navigator. Confide has been designed to offer a concierge-level support to help guide users toward the best resources available for them. Confide is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days of the year. They will assist with connecting users to therapists, financial planners and even locating daycares.
A snapshot of the Benefits of Confide: (Benefits vary by employer. Please check with your HR representative for Confide benefits)
Confide resources can be accessed through phone consultations and a licensed telephonic clinician will assist in identifying resources, explore treatment options, and make an action plan. They will provide search assistance in finding licensed therapists and provide up to 8 face-to-face/virtual session per issue at no cost. EAP sessions expire at 6 months after approval. Crisis intervention/support is immediately available for all household members.
Evernorth will coordinate with your healthcare plan so insurance is never a barrier to getting help and will assist in helping locate in-network providers.
Evernorth provides home life referral resources including child care, elder care, adoption, education, pet care, convenience services, online support, legal consultations, financial consultations, and identity theft.
Additional benefits are available through Prevail Health which include digital self-guided tools for resilience, peer support, and coaching.
Contact a Confide home life specialist to learn more about your benefits at 866-726-5267 and if you are a pastor call 888-712-1805. You can also visit well.evernorth.com to access your Confide benefits and resources. You may also request a Lutheran Family Service counselor when accessing your EAP sessions.
This helpful benefit is being provided by Concordia Plan Services.
If you as a church worker (or that special church worker in your life) are in need of Christ-centered mental health or marriage counseling, contact us today.
Lutheran Family Service walks with those experiencing difficult times through mental health counseling, marriage counseling, crisis pregnancy counseling, and adoption services.
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