Need some advice

[PerrySB]

I’m a young sixty years old looking at retirement from my current job in just a few years. So far I have been blessed with excellent health and the mind still functions at about 50 percent and I don’t think I’m exaggerating. My idea of retirement is to actually change profession and get involved in a full time ministry, my wife shares the same desires.

I’m enrolled in an on line Bible College and will have my degree prior to retirement. I truly believe the Lord is leading me into either evangelism or pastoral work. My question is am I being realistic with my goals? Is there a real need for elderly evangelist or associate pastors? I have been a Christian since 1976 but also feel that there are many areas I need to grow and mature in.

 

[the.Sheepdog]

realistic? why not?! Us baby boomers are aging and there be millions and millions of us all over the place like rabbits! Not all of us are saved and if your passion is strong and your heart longs to see them all at the marriage supper with us I say press on brother!

We all have areas that we need to mature in brother. Spend your time preparing for your goal and let the maturity be Jesus' job for you. The retired and retiring soon are a great mission field ripe for the harvest. May God richly bless you for your desire to serve Him and fo your heart for us older folks!

 

[DrDo]

Age isn't necesarily a major consideration, though it is a consideration. Assuming you are gifted and called by God, then you would have to consider the challenges of your age, such as energy, mental ability, state of your health, etc. We have friends who decided they would become missionaries and live out the rest of their good health years in Uganda upon retirement. They've been there a couple years now!

Allow me to be so bold as to send a set of notes we've done in leadership training, especially in answering the question some men have had in our classes about whether they are being called to "full time remunerated" ministry. This might help? (You might also want to read chapters one and two of The Perfect Pastor? Xulon Press)

A. As a local church we have an obligation to disciple godly men in preparation for

leadership, especially church leaders

1. We must equip men for the office (2 Tim. 2:1,2; Psa. 78)
2. We have the pattern established by Christ (Mark 3:13,14)
3. There is the necessity for testing men (1 Tim. 3:6, 10)
4. There is the necessity for sharpening men’s gifts (1 Tim. 4:14,15)

B. The Process through which a potential leader goes

• Observation by elders and congregation (see “Expectations of a Biblical Officer” below)

a. Observing his level of maturity
(1) Maturity – the more one is God and other-directed, and the less he is self-directed, then the greater the level of maturity
(2) Maturity physically and by age (preferably 30 years and older)
(3) Maturity in the social realm (emotionally, and with people)
(4) Spiritually mature (devotion, humility, biblical understanding and wisdom)
(5) Overall, his life exhibits Christ in life and godliness.

b. Observing his gifts
Watching the man discover, develop, and exercise his spiritual gifts in various contexts.

c. Observing his heart
Does his life exhibit and manifest godliness? Does he measure up to the minimal requirements as found in 1 Timothy, Titus, 1 Peter 5?

d. There is a principle of emersion in the Bible that states that if God is calling a particular
man to serve as a pastor he will be growing in Christ-like character, exercising spiritual gifts necessary for the work, and exhibiting essential leadership qualities. These things will become apparent to both the leadership in the local church, but also to many within the congregation, as well as to leaders in the local regional church.

Further, not only does he have the sense of an inward call of God, but God’s people in his church recognize his call as a qualified and legitimate (Acts 6;Jer. 23:32; Rom. 10:15; Heb. 5:4). (See ”The Call of a Godly Leader”)

• As men begin to demonstrate maturity, giftedness, and a heart for service to God and His people, they should be encouraged and challenged toward greater growth, and to move out of their comfort zone (1 Tim. 3:1). This is done by oversight of the elders and pastor, and in many Presbyterian circles under the care of the regional church (presbytery).

• If, over a period of time, the elders and others of the congregation continue to see in him potential for godly leadership as a pastor, then he should go through more particular training (see below) and followed up by testing.

a. Training, interning or more intensive discipleship should take place so as to teach the
requisite skills the pastor needs for ministry.
(1) These skills are often best learned with a mentor, and come through the university of life
or the “college of hard-knocks.”
(2) Some of the skills that are rarely ever taught in formal theological training that are
critical are:
(a) Communication skills (one-on-one as well as one-on-group).
(b) Relationship skills (how to get along with all kinds of people, especially the more
challenging people that pastors encounter in ministry).
(c) Leadership skills

b. Training can also take place through reading, seminars, conferences, tapes, on-line
courses, etc.

• If the man continues to sense a strong desire to pursue full-time ministry, he should:

a. Seek the advice and input and blessing of his wife (if married)
b. Seek the advice and input of wise men and women.
c. Seek the advice of his pastor and elders.
d. Seek the advice of other pastors.
e. Seek the blessing of his pastor and elders.

C. Pastoral training

1. With the concurrence of his wife, pastor, elders and perhaps many in the congregation, he is perhaps prepared to pursue advanced theological training in seminary; or in other cases at a solid Bible college.
a. Seminary or Bible college training will equip men as pastors in such things as theology, and perhaps in applied theology such as evangelism and counseling. It is an important aspect of a man’s growth. It gives the man many good tools for additional study of God’s Word.
b. However, this kind of training is only a portion of the necessary equipment the man needs.
It rarely will equip the man experientially, and often challenges the man’s personal devotion
and walk in the Lord just because of the rigors and intensity that is required.
2. True training in the required areas of equipment (gifts and talents), character (Christ-likeness), leadership, communication and relationship skills happens best within the context of a good local church.

D. Advanced testing

1. There are obvious tests and exams the man takes in his theological training.

2. But there are also significant tests through which a man may go that challenge his character
and resolve, as well as the necessary areas that make up a godly pastor. These tests may make or break the man’s call. Sometimes it may even make or break his marriage or faith.

3. Testing the man’s equipment -does he really have the right gifts for the office of pastor?
Some questions that might be explored:

 Is the man obviously endowed with God-given spiritual gifts?
(Mk. 16:15-18; Lk. 21:15; 24:49; Acts 1:8; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; 5:22; Ti. 1:7).

 Is he knowledgeable of the Scriptures, faithful to its doctrines and is able to teach, exhort-counsel
from the Scriptures (1 Thess. 2:11,12; 1 Timothy; Titus 3)?

 Is the potential pastor gifted to lead (1 Cor. 12:28; 1 Thess. 5:12, 13; 1 Tim. 3:5; 5:17)?
He exhibits leadership qualities, especially:
o Takes the initiative.
o Seeks to serve others.
o Has a genuine desire for and pursues personal growth: spiritually, mentally, emotionally, socially, and in health.
o Is humble and therefore teachable, willing to become more like Christ.
o People recognize him as being a leader to some degree.
o In his relationship with his wife and family (if applicable) - he leads his family.


 Is he really gifted to serve (Acts 20:24f; Rom. 15:26-33)?

 He must be able to share his material resources with others (Acts 4; Eph. 4:28).

 Is he demonstrating a heart of mercy (Matt. 25; 1 Cor. 12:28)?


4. Testing the man’s motivation.

r Is he faithful and show an above-average commitment to the Lord, this church, and his family?

r Is he obviously responsive to the call of the Holy Spirit in his life (Acts 20:28)?

r Does he truly desire the office of pastor (1 Tim. 3:1)?

r Are his motives biblical and Christ-like (1 Peter 5:1ff)?
o Is he being pressured by others to become a pastor? Or is he pursuing this willingly?
o Is he pursuing the call because he believes there is good money in it?
o Or is he doing so because his heart is constrained to do that and nothing else?
o Is he willing to serve God first and foremost and then others in love?
o Does he desire to glorify God in his pursuit and work?

5. Testing the man’s character
As Kevin Reed points out, “these qualities (character qualities found in 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus and 1 Peter) focus upon the three important aspects of a man’s life: his moral behavior, his knowledge of Christian doctrine, and his family life. An elder continually will be in public view. The respect an officer receives often depends more on an example of good character than from anything else about him” (Biblical Church Government, p. 9). All godly men should have these qualities, but the man who is selected for office in Christ’s kingdom must be measured by these qualities to see if he is ready for the office (1 Tim. 5:22; 2 Tim. 2:2; Ti, 2:7,8). Every person in Christ is called to put off the old sinful nature and put on these traits of Christ. Though no man, candidate or officer in Christ’s Church demonstrates any or all of these qualities perfectly, nevertheless it must be obvious that the officer has and demonstrates most of these qualities with consistent regularity.

 

[calluna]

Assuming you are gifted and called by God

Is this propaganda, or has the poster not read much in this forum?

 

[BobW188]

One of the best pastors I know was an Army combat arms officer, rotary wing and Ranger qualified, who retired rather than take a full colonelcy that would have extended him six years. (He had young children and knew his assignments would involve a lot of travel.)
The Army lost a potential general, the church gained a fine man.
Ministry seems to have become a growing retirement career, and I say so much the better. It brings a variety of outside experiences into the pulpit, other paths than just college - seminary - pulpit.

 

[SaintElsewhere]

I’m a young sixty years old looking at retirement from my current job in just a few years. So far I have been blessed with excellent health and the mind still functions at about 50 percent and I don’t think I’m exaggerating. My idea of retirement is to actually change profession and get involved in a full time ministry, my wife shares the same desires.

I’m enrolled in an on line Bible College and will have my degree prior to retirement. I truly believe the Lord is leading me into either evangelism or pastoral work. My question is am I being realistic with my goals? Is there a real need for elderly evangelist or associate pastors? I have been a Christian since 1976 but also feel that there are many areas I need to grow and mature in.

Brother... Not every call to minister the gospel means that you will be getting a church and congregation ...What if the L-rd is preparing you to have and underground "Home Church"? ... ask the L-RD to make His Will for you CLEAR and unmistakable... If your life is right before Him ...He will!