MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- The Board of Pensions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will begin doing business as Portico Benefit Services, effective immediately.
The trustees of the ELCA Board of Pensions approved the name change during their November meeting and recommended that the ELCA Church Council amend Continuing Resolution 17.20.A11 at its November 11-13 meeting in Chicago. The Church Council unanimously approved the amendment.
"Changing our name to Portico Benefit Services follows recommendations we've heard over several years from plan members, advisers, church leaders and our own employees," said the Rev. Jeffrey Thiemann, president and CEO. "We believe a new name will help people better understand what we do as this church's provider of health, retirement, disability and survivor benefits and related services. Though our name is changing, our connection to this church remains strong. I look to our future together with enthusiasm."
Thiemann, who wanted to assure plan members that benefits would continue without interruption, assumed leadership on October 1, 2011. The organization is a separately incorporated ministry of the ELCA and is headquartered in Minneapolis.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson observed that the new name is grounded "in biblical witness" and is reflective of the organization's commitment to expand and deepen its services.
The word portico evokes the portico of Solomon's temple, where Jesus taught in John 10:22-28, Hanson pointed out. "It was a place of gathering and entry into God's sacred presence at the temple."
"Portico Benefit Services identifies this ministry with a whole-person-wellness emphasis," said Hanson. "They will continue to serve those who serve and help to empower people to live well for the sake of ministry for the life of the world."
The transition from Board of Pensions to Portico Benefit Services will occur over the next 12 to 18 months. Thiemann said that the new name will appear gradually, allowing the organization to use up, rather than discard, existing benefits materials and take advantage of natural product lifecycles.
For more information on the Board of Pension’s name change, visit www.ELCAbop.org/name.