Preamble: This article is a touchy subject and may require a little framing. First, this is an introspective instruction to me from myself as I begin thinking about my future retirement. Second, it may be good for my brother’s pastors to hear and receive. Third, it may be useful for congregations to consider when begging Pastor Hollenschlickerstein to stick around after he retires. – end preamble.
I’m a good fifteen years out from retirement. I still think about how we pastors ought to conduct ourselves in those years, and how congregations could encourage good behavior from the departing men. Too often, the retired guy is a noticeable drag on the ministry of the new man.
“I, a poor, miserable sinner…” We confess this way every Sunday, or at least often. But, like so much of the faith, we struggle to believe it. A small part of us (the sinner we drown daily) still thinks he’s just a “little better” than somebody else. We might think to ourselves, “Yes, I’m not a great pastor. But I’m a little better than this guy. (Specifically, after we retire) He needs to listen to my ‘good’ advice.”
We struggle especially as retirement nears. What shall I do? Where shall I go? Will I be remembered? The answers are harsh but simple: 1) assist if and only when asked, 2) away, and 3) ultimately, no.
“But, I have laid down roots in this community.” Yes, and there’s time to do the same elsewhere. In the same way you cleaved into the community you used to serve, you can become a different part of another. Did you stay on the current call too long to remember how? How is today different than yesterday? Yesterday, you would have prayerfully considered any call that came your way, even one that might uproot your family from this place. Why is retirement, during which you’ll continue preaching at least, not more of the same?
Do not interfere with or meddle in the current man’s Divine Call. Seriously, he is called to serve; here you are not. EVERY thought, direction, or piece of unsolicited advice has to pass through that filter. I’m not using “meddle” hyperbolically. Any unsupportive word, a less-than-defensive comment, or a mildly critical observation undermines the man whom God has called to serve this place. Your years or decades of service and goodwill give your words an unintentional weight.
Bona fides aren’t always helpful. I’ll share mine with you nonetheless. I’m the son of a family of generational church workers. I’ve observed the joys and sorrows of ministry from the inside since childhood. I’ve been an active member of 9 congregations in 7 districts of the LCMS. I spent formative years on one Concordia College campus and one Concordia Seminary campus. I attended another one of each. I’ve served two more congregations as a fieldworker, vicar, and pastor, adding an 8th district to my list. That’s 11 congregations and 8 districts in the LCMS for those keeping score.
My observations are anecdotal. They still come from a breadth of experience and situations. In those years, at those many places, and others as well, I know of only one long-serving retired pastor who benefited from the ministry of the man who followed him. There are countless detrimental examples. I’m not talking about 6 or 8 cases. I’m drawing from at least 50.
My mother had a wonderful conversation with a friend of hers at a congregation decades ago. Her son and my sister were both planning weddings. Mom asked something like, “What sort of planning are you doing?” The son’s mother grinned and said, “I’m the mother of the groom. My job is to wear beige and keep my mouth shut.” That whimsically hyperbolic expression is still wise for all to hear.
“How could that possibly apply to the office of the Holy ministry?” Well, everyone has a role to play. If you think you can stick around at your former call, let this inform your behavior.
In the wilderness, God instructed Israel through Moses, in the book of Numbers, about their conduct among themselves. “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting. And from the age of fifty years, they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.’” (Numbers 8:23-26) This is certainly not normative to us in our conduct in the House of the Lord. Still, we can take note of some of the functions; men may not serve at just any age. Men retire from active full-time ministry.
The last direction is a useful thought. The priests, after they had served, were tasked to guard their brothers. That can direct us wherever we go in retirement. Guard your brothers; defend their every word and deed against grumbling and discontent. Your words have weight because of your age and experience. In the same way that criticism carries an unseen impact, your defense and encouragement can protect a man without an ally.
The one pastor I remember who did well remained a member of the home congregation and kept the same address. He attended about once a month, including pulpit supply for vacations. The rest of the time, he attended other LCMS churches and served as a pulpit supply at those churches. He only wore his collar when serving, a dramatic wardrobe shift. He would answer every call for advice or counsel the same way, “You should call your pastor.” He conducted no baptisms or weddings. He remained silent in Bible class.
The LCMS call has limits. By ordination, a pastor remains a pastor while serving, between calls, and after retiring. The call, however, is THE authorization to serve in this place. He has it. If he taps you to serve pulpit supply, you may do so. If you cover a vacancy, you may do so. Just like your former calls, those duties have limits. They are for a season, and then the season ends.
Mentorship is a gift to you, not from you. It hurts our pride when folks don’t seek our advice. That doesn’t give us permission to violate the social contract. A man seeks a mentor. With very little variance, a voluntary mentor will be rejected. They may even be heard without being listened to or accorded deference. The point being, some men are sought for advice and counsel, and some are not. Which of those we are is given to us.
As a bonus example, I had a predecessor who left to serve another call a few hours away. He had served here for many years. For about half of my 70 funerals, he would call a few days before the funeral. He expressed his condolences and kept me in his prayers for good service to the grieving family. He wasn’t generally available to attend funerals. But he would always ask permission to attend the visitation. “I want to be certain that I don’t interfere with your ministry there. With your permission, I’d like to attend the visitation.” He didn’t need my permission. He was just extending a great courtesy to me and my call, each and every time.
As an increasing number of baby-boom-generation pastors retire, there will be a similar increase in vacancies. That means more chances to behave poorly. Financially preparing for retirement can also help us all fight the temptation to meddle. When retirement dawns for us, let’s all strive to serve the heirs of our office well, pray for them, be a benefit to them, and flee from the temptation to meddle.
Rev. Jason M. Kaspar
Sole Pastor
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church & Preschool
La Grange, TX
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