It can be deep and wide without planning; ethical issues appear

The retirement stage of life is changing, with many new positive possibilities awaiting pastors. With longer life spans and better health today, pastors can turn retirement into a new stage of “re-service.”

“I see great opportunities for retired pastors,” says Diane Zaerr Brenneman, former congregational and ministerial leadership minister, Mennonite Church USA. She adds that newly retired pastors may be pleased to find fulfilling re-service possibilities (see listing below).

Mary Jo Flory-Steury, executive director of ministry, Church of the Brethren, encourages pastors to begin thinking about retirement from the mid-stage of their lives. “When we develop sustainable interests during our active years, the chasm we cross into retirement is often much less difficult.”

“Pastors who haven’t cultivated outside interests often suffer a profound loss of identity at retirement,” Diane says. That identity issue can ripple into congregations. “Recently retired pastors may officiate in the congregation, robbing succeeding pastors the chance to minister effectively,” she explains.

Mary Jo agrees. “Ethical issues can develop in retirement if there’s little understanding of appropriate roles and boundaries. Retirement planning and execution are indeed issues for us.”

She urges active pastors to find resources from The Alban Institute, or similar groups, to guide thinking about physical, spiritual, vocational, and relational self-care so they can enjoy meaningful retirement.

“Re-service” roles abound

Diane Zaerr Brenneman of MC USA suggests some opportunities for retired pastors:

• Intentional interim: Retired pastors who have “seen about everything” are often able to help congregations do good work between permanent pastors.
• Coach: There’s a real need for retired pastors to coach new ones, particularly first-time pastors or those moving from another tradition seeking ordina-tion with an Anabaptist congregation.
• Part-time placement in under-served congregations: Half of Mennonite Church USA congregations have less than 60 members, significantly below the 75-member benchmark typically needed to fund a full-time pastor. Retired pastors, who have Medicare health benefits and can move to new communities, may serve three-year terms to strengthen a congregation while it’s preparing for a permanent bivocational pastor.