A concern for pastoral well-being and significant growth in retirement programs and insurance coverage were highlighted in GuideStone President Hance Dilbeck’s report to the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Dallas.
Speaking June 10 during the morning business session, Dilbeck said one-third of surveyed ministers report struggling with their physical health, which impacts their ministry.
“We [at GuideStone] want to help you take care of yourself so that you can fulfill your calling,” Dilbeck said.
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Part of that involves GuideStone’s mission to enhance the financial security of those in ministry, he said.
“We want you to reach your retirement years with freedom from anxiety and freedom for new seasons of service,” he said.
GuideStone encourages early financial planning, Dilbeck said, as 75% of individuals interviewed said they wished they had started saving and preparing for retirement sooner. According to GuideStone’s report in the 2025 Book of Reports, more than 2,000 new churches have joined GuideStone.
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At the end of 2024, there were 16,065 active churches participating in retirement plans with a total of 49,859 active participants, the report stated. In July 2024, GuideStone, which also works with denominations other than the SBC, began to administer the retirement, health insurance and ancillary benefit programs for the Global Methodist Church.
GuideStone received $1 billion in new retirement contributions in 2024 and assisted 2,819 retired ministers and widows through Mission:Dignity, a GuideStone ministry that provides financial assistance to retired Southern Baptist ministers, workers and their widows. The SBC calendar emphasis for Mission:Dignity Sunday is June 22, 2025.
GuideStone also is actively expanding its capacity to help churches find affordable solutions for property and casualty insurance, Dilbeck noted.
“The mission of GuideStone is to enhance the financial security and resilience of those who serve the Lord,” Dilbeck told messengers. “We believe that when people have their financial house in order, it helps us to persevere in the work over the long haul and finish what God has called us to do.
“We at GuideStone want to see every servant of Christ finish well.”
