Evangelicals Now
Christian news worldwide
magnifying glass Search archives
home Home check the archives Archives Subscribe Subscriptions Advertising Information & booking of classifieds Adverts Find a local evangelical Church Find a church for the search engines and extremely curious! About us Contact us Site Map
Printable
Version

Is there life after retirement?

Out to pasture, pastor?

IS THERE LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT?
How ministers can experience a positive and fulfilling retirement
By Eric H. Eyre
46 pages
Available from the author at £2.50 (inc. p&p): 41 Aldwich Drive, Willen, Milton Keynes, MK45 9HP.

After a decade in retirement from paid ministry I can add my testimony to this helpful booklet, one which could be a guide and encouragement to all nearing the fateful hour when you suddenly have time on your hands and, too proud to admit it, you resort to the old chestnut of pretending that you are so busy you wonder how you found time to go to work. Beware the danger signals and buy this little book.

Some of the helpful practicalities here are only of value to the Baptist fraternity. But most fits into my Anglican scene very pertinently. I would underline the positive joy of giving more time to relax with your wife (or husband!) whom you probably neglected for years. Not all would find therapy in more time to watch Sheffield Wednesday, but you can find your equivalent! More importantly, I would urge retired ministers to be available to encourage the younger generation whom I have found only too ready to listen to the voice of experience, honest about failures as much as successes.

If I had beaten Eric Eyre to it and written a similar book, I would have amplified two issues which are touched on here. In the first place, ministry continues even if I am no longer pastor of a particular fellowship. Seek to keep fanning the flame. Then I would want, from my own happy experience, to encourage positively the value of remaining in the same Christian community where you have ministered. I believe it makes theological sense; it provides continuity and it can avoid some of the depression that can easily come from an enforced and, I believe, unnecessary bereavement. My good wife would gladly add her endorsement here: just pray for and exercise a little common sense mingled with Christian humility and read Eric Eyre’s book for more sanity.

Philip H. Hacking,
retired Anglican vicar and still active itinerant preacher and visitor of the elderly