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TOM AND DON MAKE NEWS

Tomorrow newsletter recently spotlighted two national staff leaders—the Rev. Dr. Tom Richard and the Rev. Dr. Don Olsen. Tomorrow, a member publication of The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (MMBB) featured the essential benefit plans made available through the partnership between the NACCC and MMBB. Tom considers the benefit programs, available since October 2002, the most significant NACCC initiatives for local churches in decades.

Q: What drew the NACCC to MMBB?

Tom: The organization did its homework, but at least two attempts to provide clergy benefits had failed. We were too small for buying power and had to shop for each benefit separately.

Don: One program was not comprehensive enough for our clergy and left our staff doing all the work, from vendor negotiations through billing.

Tom: Then we heard about MMBB from our friends at the International Council of Community Churches. We learned about retirement, disability and life insurance benefits in one plan, with available health coverage. We called, and within a week, Sumner Grant met with us. A cloud of considerable size lifted.

Q: What would you tell other denominational leaders about MMBB?

Don: I’d tell them, “Consider the ease of getting involved, and how MMBB handles all the administration. It’s low maintenance for you.”

Tom: I’d say, “MMBB gives us more buying power in the marketplace, and their administration makes us much more effective with our autonomous structure.” I’d also say, “MMBB has the vehicles in place to answer questions; I’m completely comfortable referring member questions to MMBB.” Finally, I’d say, “You get to talk to Maggie!” Maggie (the Rev. Margaret E. Lewis) is our MMBB relationship manager and we’re so pleased with how she helps us. Her presence at our meetings has meant a great deal to our churches and our members.

Q: What do you tell your members about MMBB?

Tom: I tell members, “It’s easy to open an account and to enroll for health benefits.” Don: I tell them to do what I did, and compare the investment performance to their other accounts and their spouse’s accounts. They see how strong it really has been over time at MMBB.

Tom: And I tell them, “The product is the best available in today’s market.” This benefit initiative is one of the most important things NACCC has done for the last 46 or 47 years. The speed with which we put this program together, and its success, has been overwhelming to all of us.


About MMBB

The Ministers and Missionaries Benefits Board was founded as a nonprofit financial organization in 1911 and has been a steward of retirement assets since 1920. MMBB’s mission is to manage entrusted resources for the benefit of its members and their dependents; to administer lifetime benefits and services with efficiency, compassion and justice; and to promote the better maintenance of the ministry.

To Learn More

To learn more about the Benefits for Life program, which provides retirement, disability and life insurance benefits available through MMBB and makes medical benefits available, please call us toll free at 800-986-6222 and ask for Rev. Margaret (Maggie) Lewis. Maggie is MMBB’s relationship manager to the NACCC.