wfn.org | ELCA Adopts Guidelines for Retired Pastors

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 14, 1998

ELCA ADOPTS GUIDELINES FOR RETIRED PASTORS
98-CC2-02-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Once a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) retires, that pastor will be advised to transfer her or his
membership to a different congregation of the ELCA than the one being
served at the time of retirement.  That's according to guidelines the ELCA
Church Council approved Nov. 13.
     The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the
legislative authority of the church between meetings of the ELCA's
Churchwide Assembly.  The council is meeting here Nov. 13-16.  Assemblies
are held every other year; the next is August 16-22 in Denver.
     The ELCA's Division for Ministry drafted the guidelines, which state
that retired pastors "are not only to be honored for their past service but
are seen as important resources for ministry within the life of this
church."
     Ordained ministers of the ELCA may retire at age 60 or after 30 years
as a Lutheran pastor.  A retired minister remains a pastor of the ELCA, but
the guidelines make it very clear that the pastor is entering into a new
relationship with the larger church.
     "At the time of retirement a pastor is no longer pastor of a
congregation and therefore must discontinue the functions of the pastoral
office in the congregation unless specifically authorized to do so," say
the guidelines.
     Responding to a question from the Church Council about possible
discipline for a retired pastor who failed to follow the guidelines, the
Rev. Joseph M. Wagner, executive director of the ELCA Division for
Ministry, said, "Common sense needs to prevail."  He added, "These are
friendly guidelines."
     "One area of potential service for the retired pastor is interim
ministry," the guidelines suggest.  "Many retired pastors provide valuable
and needed ministry to congregations in time of transition following the
resignation of a pastor."
     The guidelines describe how a retired pastor's continuing service to
the church will be compensated, given that ELCA pastors are eligible for
pension benefits.  The guidelines also outline the retired pastor's
relationship with his or her bishop.

For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director (773) 380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html