“I’m too young to retire!”
“Retirement? I don’t know what I am doing next week, never mind thinking about retirement!”
“I am counting down the years, months and days and can’t wait until I receive a free bus pass!”
“I have no plans to retire, I want to keep on going …”

 

These are all responses I have heard from Christian workers over the years in relation to retirement.  UK employment legislation has no compulsory retirement age. However, as mission partners approach state pension age, UFM encourages them to use their annual review meeting to talk, in partnership with their sending church, about a possible timeframe for retirement and any adjustment of working arrangements.

So how can you, as a sending church, help prepare your mission partner for retirement? Here are some issues for church leaders to think through with their mission partner:

Health

We all know those who have given decades of sacrificial service in cross-cultural mission and who want to keep on going for as long as they possibly can. However, we are also aware that as the ageing process kicks in, the human body slows down and our parts tend to wear out! Therefore we owe it to our mission partners, in caring for them, to have those difficult conversations, encouraging them to think of their health needs, their ability to relocate while in relative good health, family needs, and so on.

Finance

Often when we think of retirement, it isn’t a case of not wanting to retire but of not being able to afford to! This is no less the case for our mission partners. Some are proactive and have made financial provision, others haven’t thought about it enough. It is a good idea to have your mission partner check their National Insurance contributions to ensure that they will receive their maximum state pension. 

Perhaps you know an accountant or financial advisor who may be able to give your mission partner some professional advice. What about housing? Some mission partners are in the fortunate position of owning their own house, others are not. What can you do as a church to help them?

Thinking through these issues during the years leading up to retirement will help to alleviate some of the stress for your mission partner.

Current ministry

What about the ministry they have been involved in? As church leaders, we have the responsibility of investing our limited resources wisely and strategically for gospel work. There must come a time when the mission partner and the sending church recognise that it is time to invest in the next generation of gospel workers.

Is cross-cultural input still needed? Is it time to let go and hand it over to the national church? Is it time to pass on the baton to someone younger, with fresh ideas and enthusiasm? What is the best time to do this to ensure a smooth transition and that the ministry will continue to thrive? What needs to be in place?

Ministry during retirement

Ongoing opportunity for involvement in ministry is often overlooked by sending churches. How can you support your mission partners to serve effectively when back in their sending church and not feel like a ‘spare part’? Remember, in all likelihood they will be struggling with the huge challenge of ‘re-entry’ in numerous ways, with loss of ministry and identity. How can you re-deploy the many gifts they have acquired over the years, to serve your local church?

Thinking through these issues during the years leading up to retirement will help to alleviate some of the stress for your mission partner. What can they look forward to in serving God in this new season of their lives? 

My times are in your hands (Ps 31:15)

Set a date!

It has often been said that if we aim at nothing, we will hit nothing! A retirement date in the calendar helps all parties to focus on what needs to be in place as they prayerfully plan with the knowledge that all our days are in God’s hands (Psalm 31: 15).

With this in mind, we encourage you to have timely conversations with your mission partners, thinking through practicalities, and walking closely alongside them on the journey. 

 

William Brown is Head of Personnel and Deputy Director at UFM Worldwide.