Still at it: ministry in retirement
Over in the Global Methodist Church, they don't have any retired clergy. They say nobody ever "retires" from ministry, so they call the people who are of an age to collect pensions ministers with Senior status. We'll probably still call ourselves, and be called, "retired." Hey, I'm old enough to remember when The United Methodist Church's official designation of people like me was superannuated clergy. We still called them retired.
Nevertheless, the GMC is correct that few of us ever really retire, even if we don't get paid for what we do. As I'm fond of saying, call is not opportunity, call is who you are. We will always do what God called us to do, even if it takes up less of our time.
And what does my ministry consist of these days? Well, I've preached and led worship the last two Sundays (it was good to be back in the pew today with no responsibilities). Two weeks ago, I filled the pulpit at Ellettsville for the pastor who was on vacation; last Sunday, I was the chaplain for Maumee Scout Reservation's 50th anniversary weekend. As well as preaching and conducting worship as asked, I also occasionally do children's lessons or teach Sunday School or help with VBS at the church we attend. I've also been asked to celebrate communion on Sundays when the pastor was not available. So, I keep my hand in.
Speaking of leading worship with Scouts, I do a lot of Scouting ministry. I don't have a unit to lead or fuss with on a regular basis, but I wear a lot of hats in my Scout District and Council. And I continue to deal with churches on a continuing basis, teaching how to do Scouting as ministry.
Meanwhile, as a new-minted (or perhaps, re-minted) elder in the GMC, I'm also engaged in doing clergy stuff over there. There's a lot of stuff to be shifted around, and too few qualified people to do all the work. So my big project I'm in the midst of is writing the new Candidacy Guidebook for ministerial candidates in the GMC. The draft is done, and the writing team is in the middle of edits right now. We're pushing as hard as we can to get this sent up to the next level, and then on to the Transitional Leadership Team. I'd like to see this published before the end of the year.
I'm also leading the effort to do a new form of church camp for Methodists in Indiana. The GMC folks don't have any church camping facilities or programs yet, and many traditional congregations still in the UMC don't really find the programs of the INUMC camping ministry convenient or congenial. So people want options. Some are concerned about theology, some about location, some about cost. The Indiana chapter of the WCA is looking to rent Maumee (and its staff) next summer for a week of church camp. I'm trying to pull together the people to do that, and I'm hoping to be able to start advertising by the end of September for our pioneering effort.
Finally, there is that Christian Education book I've written and can't find an editor for. That project is on hold, but I haven't completely abandoned it. Just waiting on God right now.
And toward what end is all this driving? What did I get into this racket to do, anyway? I think about that, too, and in doing so, I find my call clarified and re-confirmed.
First, I want to see people give their lives to Jesus Christ. I particularly have a burden for children and youth and young families, as I have always had, and especially for the church orphans like I was.
Second, I want to see the church strengthened and living out its life in the power of the Spirit. That means a renewed commitment to discipling Christians, not just making converts, and it means recovering a clear understanding of the counter-cultural nature of the gospel. "Be not conformed to this world," said Paul, "but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that you may know what is the will of God: what is good and acceptable and perfect." I spent forty-some years bringing people in the front door, only to see them slip out the back door because we didn't know what to do with them, or the church as they found it was distracted by things of little interest to someone who is eager to follow Jesus.
Third, as a clergy member I am particularly aware of the need to be in connection with the other clergy and help shape the church to be what it needs to be. I don't need to lead a congregation; my time is probably better spent dealing with Conference and clergy support issues.
Fourth, I am particularly concerned that the people I love have the chance to believe and belong in a church that will care about them. I can do what I do just about anywhere; my children and grandchildren need someone to reach out to them. In the absence of anybody looking after them, I will do whatever I can, but I want to see a proper congregation in their area where they can find a home. And (wistful hope), while I'm willing to do my part whatever a renewed Methodism looks like, I'd like to find a congregation where I can feel at home, spiritually and liturgically.
Nevertheless, the GMC is correct that few of us ever really retire, even if we don't get paid for what we do. As I'm fond of saying, call is not opportunity, call is who you are. We will always do what God called us to do, even if it takes up less of our time.
And what does my ministry consist of these days? Well, I've preached and led worship the last two Sundays (it was good to be back in the pew today with no responsibilities). Two weeks ago, I filled the pulpit at Ellettsville for the pastor who was on vacation; last Sunday, I was the chaplain for Maumee Scout Reservation's 50th anniversary weekend. As well as preaching and conducting worship as asked, I also occasionally do children's lessons or teach Sunday School or help with VBS at the church we attend. I've also been asked to celebrate communion on Sundays when the pastor was not available. So, I keep my hand in.
Speaking of leading worship with Scouts, I do a lot of Scouting ministry. I don't have a unit to lead or fuss with on a regular basis, but I wear a lot of hats in my Scout District and Council. And I continue to deal with churches on a continuing basis, teaching how to do Scouting as ministry.
Meanwhile, as a new-minted (or perhaps, re-minted) elder in the GMC, I'm also engaged in doing clergy stuff over there. There's a lot of stuff to be shifted around, and too few qualified people to do all the work. So my big project I'm in the midst of is writing the new Candidacy Guidebook for ministerial candidates in the GMC. The draft is done, and the writing team is in the middle of edits right now. We're pushing as hard as we can to get this sent up to the next level, and then on to the Transitional Leadership Team. I'd like to see this published before the end of the year.
I'm also leading the effort to do a new form of church camp for Methodists in Indiana. The GMC folks don't have any church camping facilities or programs yet, and many traditional congregations still in the UMC don't really find the programs of the INUMC camping ministry convenient or congenial. So people want options. Some are concerned about theology, some about location, some about cost. The Indiana chapter of the WCA is looking to rent Maumee (and its staff) next summer for a week of church camp. I'm trying to pull together the people to do that, and I'm hoping to be able to start advertising by the end of September for our pioneering effort.
Finally, there is that Christian Education book I've written and can't find an editor for. That project is on hold, but I haven't completely abandoned it. Just waiting on God right now.
And toward what end is all this driving? What did I get into this racket to do, anyway? I think about that, too, and in doing so, I find my call clarified and re-confirmed.
First, I want to see people give their lives to Jesus Christ. I particularly have a burden for children and youth and young families, as I have always had, and especially for the church orphans like I was.
Second, I want to see the church strengthened and living out its life in the power of the Spirit. That means a renewed commitment to discipling Christians, not just making converts, and it means recovering a clear understanding of the counter-cultural nature of the gospel. "Be not conformed to this world," said Paul, "but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that you may know what is the will of God: what is good and acceptable and perfect." I spent forty-some years bringing people in the front door, only to see them slip out the back door because we didn't know what to do with them, or the church as they found it was distracted by things of little interest to someone who is eager to follow Jesus.
Third, as a clergy member I am particularly aware of the need to be in connection with the other clergy and help shape the church to be what it needs to be. I don't need to lead a congregation; my time is probably better spent dealing with Conference and clergy support issues.
Fourth, I am particularly concerned that the people I love have the chance to believe and belong in a church that will care about them. I can do what I do just about anywhere; my children and grandchildren need someone to reach out to them. In the absence of anybody looking after them, I will do whatever I can, but I want to see a proper congregation in their area where they can find a home. And (wistful hope), while I'm willing to do my part whatever a renewed Methodism looks like, I'd like to find a congregation where I can feel at home, spiritually and liturgically.