Christianity Today

Since when is retiring from a vocational position retiring from ministry? The two are not the same thank the Lord.

I heard someone quip that Benedict was too pooped to Pope. But seriously, it seems like retirement is a personality thing. Some people would die an early death if they had to slow down and live at a more natural pace. Others, myself included, have plenty of interests and activities to stay happy happy happy after retirement. Retirement can be a precious blessing; why avoid it?

The only pastor that I'd hate to see retire is Jesus Christ. i read somewhere that He's the Head of the Body. Our church has a nominating committee looking for a new senior pastor. I hope they discover Jesus. I was reading here yesterday about some great things some churches are doing, like a church in Alabama. I think it's great! But the rest of us shouldn't be asking ourselves if we should be doing the same thing. We should be asking Jesus what He wants us to do. I have absolutely no doubt that He will let us know.

Retiring as a pastor cannot be reduced to simply following the example of others. If someone in his eighties believes that physically and spiritually he has little more to give and wants to spend the rest of his life in "prayer and contemplation" good for him. There are, no doubt, many pastors, and church leaders who at the same age still feel themselves capable of accepting the challenges of ministry and want to go on. Good for them, too. Obviously, they will be some Church leaders who having done all of which they were capable want to prolong their stay. This often leads to lost of the high esteem in which they were once held, and a tarnishing of what may have once been a sterling and exemplary ministry. As a pastor, one must not only be "faithful to the end", one must also be vital and one's ministry must be meaningful and valuable. Should the pastor's challenge or concern financial then good retirement planning is recommended.