Retirement

It's very interesting to be 'sitting on the sidelines,' so to speak, and watch what is happening in the congregation as the time for my retirement draws closer. I'm beginning to suspect that you can tell much more about a congregation while it is vacant, or preparing to be vacant, then you can at 'normal' times. It is certainly easier to tell if there's conflict in the congregation, or whether there is a sense of apathy, or whether they're just a normal collection of sinners.

Looking back over the vacant congregations I've dealt with over the years, it seems to me that it's been easy to tell whether or not there is any concern for the pastor, whether or not there is any concern for the mission of the church at large, or whether people are just concerned that they don't want to have to do extra work. I have seen congregations that seem to have a real care for their pastors, whether they're retiring or not, and I have seen congregations that seem to have no care for or interest in their pastor, except for what the pastor can do for them.

It's sad to see the latter, not because of any hardships that come to the pastor (although that should not be ignored), but because of the self absorption and self interest of people who are supposed to be Christian. It's sad that people can be so concerned about themselves that it seems as if they can't be  roused to show concern for anyone else.