Despite the retirement system for pastors, many grassroots churches struggle to implement it effectively due to a shortage of pastoral staff. The reasons for such an issue are the lack of successors and the desire of some pastors to keep "serving the Lord to the end."
After serving in an urban church in southwest China for half his life, Pastor L, who was once in charge of the pastoral work of 13 churches (and meeting points) in six districts, is now preparing for retirement with a clear plan of life post-retirement. "The church should be entrusted to the young. We can do something else to contribute outside of the church," he remarked. Previously, Pastor L ministered to believers through pulpit ministry. However, confronted with the increasing challenge of drawing young people to church, he realizes that the role of a pastor should extend beyond the pulpit.
Pastor L shared that, due to health concerns, he has made an acquaintance with a health management team that addresses his leg issues. During their interactions, L also shared his life story with them. Some members of the team frequently visited him with interest in his life and faith. Some of them, who were once idol worshippers, invited the pastor to their homes to help remove idols.
Pastor B, who pastors a church in City C, observed that various churches currently only perform the function of worship but are weak in the evangelism mission. It is necessary to find suitable approaches for the era. For example, leveraging tea culture, calligraphy, painting, or aspects of Eastern and Western culture can be effective entry points to engage with the target groups.
The roles of pastoral staff should not be confined to specific positions. Whether it's through cultural engagement or addressing health conditions, any approach that fosters connection with individuals can serve as the groundwork for preaching the gospel.
(The article was originally published by the Gospel Times and the author is a Christian in Guangdong Province.)
- Translated by Poppy Chan
牧者也有退休的制度，但很多基层教会因为牧者同工缺乏，此项制度并未很好执行。有的因为没有接班人，也有牧者想“要为主服侍到最后”。
在西南一城市教会牧会半辈子的L牧师准备退休了。他曾负责6个片区，13个堂点的教牧工作。他也规划好退休后的生活。 “教堂就留给年轻人吧，我们可以做些外围的工作。”以往L牧师都是通过讲台服侍去牧养信徒。因现在吸引年轻人进教堂是比较难的一件事，他意识到牧者的职能不应局限在讲台上。
L牧师说，因为身体的缘故接触到了做健康管理的团队，帮助他解决腿部问题。L也和他们讲述自己的人生故事。他们中也有经常去他家拜访的，对L的生活和信仰颇感兴趣；也有从前拜偶像的，而后邀请牧师去到家里除掉偶像。
在C市牧会的B牧师说，目前很多教堂只发挥了敬拜的功能，失去了福传的功能。需要找到适合这个时代的方式，如，文人可以以茶文化，书画艺术，东西方文化为切入，接触目标人群。
牧者同工的职能不应只限制在特有范围内。无论是通过文化，还是健康，只要是与人产生连接都可以为福传的工作打下基础。
注：本文为特约/自由撰稿人文章，作者系广东一名基督徒。
牧者谈退休：换个“讲台”去服侍
Despite the retirement system for pastors, many grassroots churches struggle to implement it effectively due to a shortage of pastoral staff. The reasons for such an issue are the lack of successors and the desire of some pastors to keep "serving the Lord to the end."
After serving in an urban church in southwest China for half his life, Pastor L, who was once in charge of the pastoral work of 13 churches (and meeting points) in six districts, is now preparing for retirement with a clear plan of life post-retirement. "The church should be entrusted to the young. We can do something else to contribute outside of the church," he remarked. Previously, Pastor L ministered to believers through pulpit ministry. However, confronted with the increasing challenge of drawing young people to church, he realizes that the role of a pastor should extend beyond the pulpit.
Pastor L shared that, due to health concerns, he has made an acquaintance with a health management team that addresses his leg issues. During their interactions, L also shared his life story with them. Some members of the team frequently visited him with interest in his life and faith. Some of them, who were once idol worshippers, invited the pastor to their homes to help remove idols.
Pastor B, who pastors a church in City C, observed that various churches currently only perform the function of worship but are weak in the evangelism mission. It is necessary to find suitable approaches for the era. For example, leveraging tea culture, calligraphy, painting, or aspects of Eastern and Western culture can be effective entry points to engage with the target groups.
The roles of pastoral staff should not be confined to specific positions. Whether it's through cultural engagement or addressing health conditions, any approach that fosters connection with individuals can serve as the groundwork for preaching the gospel.
(The article was originally published by the Gospel Times and the author is a Christian in Guangdong Province.)
- Translated by Poppy Chan
Pastors: Retirement is a New Pulpit of Service
