PREAMBLE
From study of Scripture regarding God and God’s activity, Christian theology normally has a strong relational component. We understand the relational nature of God both from God’s covenant with Israel and God’s Incarnation in Jesus Christ. Christians are called not only into relationship with God, but also relationship with other people. Jesus’ summary of the law pointed to both dimensions “love God ... and love your neighbor as yourself.”
The Church provides the arena in which to practice relationships as they are intended to be lived. That arena is intended to be a safe place, a healing place, a place of growing and maturing, and a place of learning. Pastors as well as the people are engaged in relationships which grow in depth over the years.
The congregation for its part has built loyalties and meaningful relationships with the Pastor. Sometimes there are significant friendships. The longer the pastorate has been, the more likely there is an element of dependence on the person and style of the retiring/resigning pastor. While some may be happy to see a change in leadership, many will experience feelings of deep anxiety about the change, as well as grief over losing a personal counselor and confidant.
Pastors themselves may not anticipate the impact of retirement. The setting aside of leadership and caring responsibilities may be experienced as the death of a major aspect of the pastor’s life. Retirement does provide many rewards and the freedom to explore new goals and opportunities. However, for some, the transition can be threatening and difficult. But one of the most important challenges is the redefine one’s role, especially in relationship to former members.
We often overlook the impact of retirement on the pastor’s family. If they move to a new community and new church, they will probably experience a different kind of transition, and different role from their years of experience in the pastorate. They are not welcomed into a new community by a congregation anxiously awaiting them. In the new church of membership they are on a level with all other members and have no automatic status which, in varying degrees, they likely experienced previously. On the other hand, the retiring pastor can now learn to sit, enjoy and be fed by worship without feeling she/he has to manage everything. The family may find that a plus and experience each other as being more fully present.
However, boundaries are important to every context including Christian community. “Good fences make good neighbors” can be carried too far. But common understandings of mutually agreed upon boundaries can work to the benefit of all parties concerned. Whether the pastor retires in the same community, or preferably in a different community, there needs to be some intentionality about new roles and relationships between the pastor and the congregation. Therefore, in the spirit love and understanding, these guidelines have been adopted by the Presbytery of the Hudson River.
When a pastoral position with a congregation ends, there are bonds of affection between the minister and members of the church that continue to be cherished. Relations of friendship continue, but the pastoral relationship does not. In order to avoid awkward situations and to encourage the new pastoral relationship that will be established, the Presbytery establishes the following guidelines.
It shall be the policy of Hudson River Presbytery to require the following statement to be placed in the newsletter and/or bulletin when the pastor announces his/her plan to retire or move:
“When a pastor resigns from a pastorate, retires from service, or becomes Pastor Emerita/us, that minister shall no longer perform pastoral functions such as weddings, baptisms, funerals, hospital visitation or counseling. Active or inactive church members should not request a former pastor to perform pastoral duties. If requested, the pastor shall tactfully decline. On occasion, the pastor or moderator may, with the approval of session/council, invite the former pastor to perform such duties.”
While avoiding participation in any funerals, weddings, baptisms, etc., of former parishioners is difficult, it should be remembered that if the first invitation is accepted, reasons to refuse other requests will be very difficult to substantiate.
2. Prior to the exit, the Commission on Ministry representative will discuss this policy with the pastor and session/council at that time the parties involved should sign the attached “Acknowledgment of Policy...” form. It is also recommended that the COM representative meet with the pastor, spouse, and, if appropriate, adult members of the pastor’s family to discuss issues of separation and how they might be considered and implemented. Presbytery urges the spouse, in the context of those relationships not to do anything which would undermine the transition necessary for the church and the development of the relationship between the congregation and a new pastor or interim pastor. Further counseling may be provided the family by the COM to assist in the separation.
3. As an issue of personal integrity, the pastoral challenge to the minister leaving a church is to project not only an acceptance of the policy of the Presbytery, but also endorsement of it.
4. Announcing retirement/resignation too far in advance can be disruptive to the effective functioning of the church. Not allowing enough time between the announcement and leave taking may not provide adequate time for closure and intensify the grief process for all parties involved. A reasonable lead time for announcing retirement normally may be 3 to 5 months.
5. The pastor should prepare for retirement/a resignation by beginning to reduce the pastoral duties and clean his/her personal belongings out of the church office at least one month prior to the date of retirement/resignation. No later than the effective date of dissolution of the pastoral relationship, all keys to church properties shall be turned in to the clerk of session/council or a designated representative of the presbytery. All exceptions to this policy must be approved by the session/council of the church in consultation with the COM.
6. It is recommended that a “turning over of the keys to the church office” or some other symbolic gesture be done as a portion of the concluding worship service, thus making public the relinquishing of authority. It is assumed that the pastor and family will need a reasonable amount of time following that service to finish packing up the manse and to move their belongings out as they relocate.
7. There shall be no more visits of a pastoral nature after the effective date of dissolution of the pastorate, nor shall there be visits to the worship service on the part of the now “former pastor” especially if the pastor continues to live or work within commuting distance from the dissolved relationship.
8. When a former pastor moves from the community, it is a professional courtesy for the previous pastor to notify the new pastor, when he/she is visiting in the area. Caution is advised with regard to frequent visiting of friends in an old parish. And always it is expected that the former pastor will refrain from engaging in conversations or communications about matters of church business or evaluations of new staff.
9. Pastor Emeritus/Emerita
We acknowledge there are some double messages to a congregation and a minister when the church and Presbytery name that person pastor emeritus/emerita and then the Presbytery asks the pastor emeritus/emerita not to be involved in pastoral functions. It is expected that the retired/resigning minister will actively discourage former parishioners if they issue invitations for his/her service. The church needs his/her help to exercise restraint to establish a healthy nurturing relationship with its new leader(s).
10. Presbytery will provide a pastoral function in relation to the existing pastor and his/her family recognizing the difficult issues the family faces in such a major life transition. In the spirit of love and understanding, guidance will be provided for the pastor and family establishing the fact that further participation in the church may cause serious difficulties within the congregation. Serious discussion needs to take place with regard to the benefits for both the pastor and the congregation if the family seeks another church home in which to participate. The adult children of a retiring/resigning pastor may have their own identity in the congregation and compelling reasons to remain with that congregation. In such cases, those family members are encouraged to exercise restraint in discussing the current pastor’s performance or the current work of the church.
11. In the case where a pastor retires/resigns but the spouse continues to work within the community for a limited period of time to finish out a contract, the pastor may negotiate with the COM about the use of the manse or other concerns that need to be discussed to make the transition run smoothly during that time.
The Presbytery wishes to reiterate its firm policy with regard to clergy who have served churches and have either resigned or retired from those pastorates. We wish to provide the maximum degree of protection and the minimum of intrusion possible to the current pastoral relationship, in order that the pastor's opportunities for service and growth with his/her congregation may be advanced at every possible opportunity.
In pursuance of that policy, therefore, no former pastor of a congregation shall perform any ministerial function (e.g. baptism, wedding, funeral, Sunday worship, or other pastoral service) in that congregation without the fullest possible cooperation and approval of the interim pastor or next installed pastor and the Session/Council of the church. It is expected that the former pastor will actively discourage former parishioners from issuing invitations for his/her services at any location, explaining the importance of recognizing that their loyalty must be to the new pastoral relationship.
Former pastors may not officiate at services for members of a particular church, or at services within its properties, except by invitation from the Session/Council and the interim pastor or next installed pastor. (G-2.0905)
For the Minister/Pastor
I have read the Policy for Pastors and Congregations Following the Conclusion of a Pastoral Relationship. I understand these policies and agree to abide by them.
For the Session/Council
We have read and discussed the Policy for Pastors and Congregations Following the Conclusion of a Pastoral Relationship. We understand these policies and agree to abide by them. We also agree to share these policies with our congregation.
For the Appropriate Governing Body / Committee on Ministry
I/We have shared the Policy for Pastors and Congregations Following the Conclusion of a Pastoral Relationship with the pastor and session/council of the church. The signing of this acknowledgment will be reported to the appropriate governing body/committee and recorded in its minutes.