On Retirees and Retirement

Make your retirement years a very special time indeed

I had heard that retirement was dangerous. People actually die while in retirement. I had heard that the time for making a contribution ended at retirement. I had heard that it was an "out of the loop" time, an "on the shelf time", a "Ho, hum...what'll I do next?" time. And I want to tell you that our retirement has been "none of the above." Yours doesn't have to be either. It is your call.

Now, admittedly, I will grant that a retired pastor has a range of possibilities for activities and service which quite a few others might not have. But let me hasten to add that there are pastors as well who do not choose to remain active in service and volunteering opportunities. There are also those who permit themselves to indulge in self-pity that "they are no longer valued as they deserve to be". But I believe, once again, that this is their call...their choice, because there is a whole range of opportunities for fun, service, witnessing, helping, etc., to make your retirement years a very special time indeed.

Evie and I retired at 62. We had given 40 years of denominational service at that time. Some had the temerity to politely and mildly chastize us for withdrawing from active ministry at such a "young" age. I was prepared. I dropped Numbers 8:25 on them. Speaking of the priests in the sanctuary service the Lord Himself said, "and at the age of fifty years they must cease performing this work, and shall work no more". Then I would hasten to add that we had given a full measure of service by even rendering twelve years beyond what the Lord suggested for priestly retirement. I suppose I should feel some measure of sorrow that I actually enjoyed, (yea, delighted ) in sharing this text with my well-intentioned members and friends.

And all of a sudden, it has been twelve years since we retired. These years have been lovely, special, challenging, interesting, fulfilling, and satisfying. We have never had a second thought about "retiring early." I have been interim pastor of eleven churches during this time. (Four of them had to be in Hawaii). It has been a pleasure to serve over and over again in local church Sabbath speaking appointments, campmeetings, conference ministerial meetings, revival meetings, special retreat settings, and special Conference assignments. The Lord helped me to write a book, Blinded By The Light which was published by the Review and Herald publishing house.

Besides these lovely privileges, Evie and I have had opportunities for trips, more time with our precious family members, and often with more relaxed daily schedules. (Although, Evie might wish for more of the latter). And all of this with less pressure, because in retirement you only do what you choose to do and not what you have to do. This is so much fun that I feel guilty some times. (But only for a few nanoseconds of time).

As I prepare these thoughts, I will be conducting prayer meetings this fall at our home church in E. Salem and teaching a pastor's class for new believers and those studying to become members. And, looming on the horizon in January 0f 2003 is a trip to India for nearly a month where I will be doing some of the speaking in evangelistic meetings in Nellore. How boring can things get?

Retirement time is a special time. A time to do some things you have "always wanted to do". A time to "smell the flowers". More time with your precious companion and family.

A time to "ripen up" for heaven. God is so good!

Now if all of this seems like a drag... then you just go out there and enjoy that 8:00 to 5:00 workaday stuff until you are 105. Evie and I will be wishing you well... and enjoying ourselves immensely.

Phil & Evie Dunham - Retired Oregon Conference Pastor currently residing in Oregon. They raised two children, a son and a daughter, and have nine grandchildren.