The Corinthian Plan
by Maynard Shirk, Conestoga, Pa.
My comments are about Mennonite Church USA's proposed health-care plan for pastors called The Corinthian Plan. I strongly affirm the principles of equality in the church that are set forth. That pastors from the ethnic majority in this country tend to have health insurance and those from the ethnic minorities tend not to is unacceptable and unchristian.
How about a little history lesson here? Did not we deal with this same issue just a few years ago? Didn't we get it right then? Isn't it working as hoped? Will we have it right this time?
Why a separate policy or program for pastors? What is the reason they cannot be simply included with MMA's general run of patrons? Are pastors that much better or worse a risk as a demographic?
How indeed is this not just nibbling at the symptoms of a systemic disease (health-care delivery) in our culture?
How can we get MMA to prophetically lead the way to comprehensive, radical change in health-care delivery?
And one other question: How is singling out pastors for health care—instead of all in the congregation who have need—different from singling out an ethnic group (whites) for preferential treatment, as is now the de facto case.
Clearly Paul was not talking to the Corinthians about just pastors in Jerusalem. So how is it The Corinthian Plan is limited to pastors?
I'm glad The Mennonite is addressing this issue.
Editor's note: Keith Harder is Mennonite Church USA's Director for Health-Care Access for Pastors and Church Workers. He addressed these matters in his April 21 Leadership column. See also Harder's letter in the April 7 Readers Say section.
Associated Article: Details of The Corinthian Plan released
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