Conversations on care: Inside the 2026 Benefits Regional Summits
June 09, 2026
What began as an idea to support ministers and congregations in making benefits decisions has since evolved into gatherings that bring together hundreds of Presbyterians with the shared goal of caring for pastoral leadership. At this year’s Benefits Regional Summits: Support for Congregations, more than 250 attendees joined Board of Pensions staff for an open dialogue on the Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), its offerings, and the agency’s ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive benefits for those who serve the Church.
Summits were held across the country, covering 14 cities in six weeks. These half-day events encouraged collaborative conversation and were especially valuable for pastors, Personnel Committee chairs, and church business administrators as they plan for 2027. Those unable to attend continue to connect with Board of Pensions Church Consultants through additional gatherings, bringing together nearly 600 additional people and fostering further engagement and partnership.
“Both the summits and the gatherings that have grown from them have helped us connect with pastoral leaders and lay staff in new, meaningful ways,” said Clark Simmons, Senior Church Consultant. “We are grateful for the opportunity to create spaces for these groups to engage with the Board of Pensions, and we hope they gain insights that will support benefits decisions in the future.”
The summits focused on the agency’s stewardship of the Benefits Plan, walking guests through Medical Plan cost trends, including cost drivers and influencers, changes in the healthcare system, and how dues packages are structured to combat the volatile healthcare market. Additional discussions included an overview of grants available through the Assistance Program, including the addition of the Child Care Support grant for eligible Benefits Plan members with children ages 0-6 years, which took effect April 1.
Key discussion points related to expanded support for pastors and their families. Transitional Pastor’s Participation has been extended through 2029, and an additional dues subsidy within the Congregational Pastors Package has been established to help alleviate the cost of dependent child medical coverage, effective Jan. 1, 2027. The subsidy will cover 50% of the national, community-rated medical coverage cost of dependent children, and will lower the flat rates for both the Child(ren) and Family coverage levels. Agency leaders walked attendees through cost scenarios to illustrate the impact of these subsidies.
“An important part of the summits was walking through the upcoming enhancements to the Benefits Plan and explaining how they will affect congregations and plan members,” said Kristin Leucht, Senior Church Consultant. “Reviewing cost scenarios and understanding how subsidies impact the dues packages helps put expenses into perspective, and it equips decision‑makers to anticipate final costs.”
Feedback gathered at the summits plays a vital role in shaping future Benefits Plan offerings. These dialogues create space to discuss available plan options, address questions, and hear directly from congregational leaders about the ministry support they need.
“At the summits, we received meaningful feedback that will help refine future Benefits Plan offerings that support wholeness in ministry,” said Andrew J. Browne, Executive Vice President, Engagement & Church Relations. “The Board of Pensions remains committed to transparency, and these summits allow us to engage directly and intentionally with those we serve. We look forward to continuing collaborative conversations with the Church in the future.”
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