Reflection on the BUGB Pre-retirement conference
We recently attended the BUGB Ministers’ Preparation for Retirement Conference. Details on the
Support for Baptist ministers page suggest the conference is only open to those within four years of retirement. Therefore, we were surprised to get an invitation soon after my husband turned 60, though we presumed it was due to being just above the cusp of those being able to retire at 65. Despite his retirement being seven years away, we thought we’d see what was on offer as we like to be well prepared.
The conference helpfully reflected on the emotional and practical considerations of retirement, in general, and what it means in the context of being a minister and spouse. This included sessions on keeping physically healthy and considering loss of identity or purpose after being a minster while managing your own expectations of worshipping in a local church as an ‘ordinary member’. It also encouraged us to approach retirement with prayerful thought and attention on what new opportunities may be ahead.
The practical session on pensions and financial expectations was excellent and highly beneficial to us. Even though we had already discussed it, we came away with lots to think about. The company providing general pension advice offered a special rate for personalised financial advice consultations for ministers after the conference. While we approached them soon after, the fee was much more than we anticipated. However, that may reflect the specific complications we face. Others’ situations may be much simpler and that fee may be less restrictive.
There was also a session on housing for those who were looking for support from the
Retired Baptist Ministers’ Housing Organisation (RBMHO). We kept our own house, renting it out during our time in ministry, so we didn’t attend but heard many found it helpful.
In one of my workplaces, colleagues were offered on-going retirement planning and social sessions once they reached fifty, ten years before their expected retirement. Similarly, pension adverts often remind us that it’s never too early to make provision for our retirement. Therefore, it is surprising that this conference is offered relatively late in the journey towards retirement.
From brief discussions, we were aware that some who were closer to retirement than us had specific concerns about their remaining years in ministry. One person had health issues not covered by the pension scheme, so would not qualify for RBMHO housing until they retired. Another was reluctantly planning to stay in their current church for the last 2-3 years, despite not feeling they were in the right place. In these circumstances, attending a pre-retirement conference much earlier may have provided the information and contacts needed to anticipate or navigate these scenarios with less stress. For example, awareness of short-term or part-time ministries, including interim or transitional roles, may help those who need a stepping stone into retirement.
I accept that some are well-prepared and self-sufficient enough to approach retirement without specific support. However, there will always be those who need more time to consider options beforehand or whose circumstances change unexpectedly. As suggested in a previous Manse Life post, some may appreciate specific on-going retired minister support or social channels as they didn’t know what help they would need until after retirement. We were assured at the conference that retired ministers still have access to the
Churches’ Ministerial Counselling Service (CMCS), however it feels that there should be more than ‘crisis’ management available.
Thrive, the social group for spouses of Baptist ministers and missionaries, often reassures spouses married to those approaching retirement that they are still part of the ministry life. Through the Facebook group and at Thrive conference, their experience and gifts are greatly valued by all. Those with much insight to ministry life have also prompted other support groups, such as for those whose spouse has died in post or where a marriage has broken down. Therefore, I’m sure there are similar ways that retired ministers, who have much experience to offer those in ministry, might share it with those in or approaching retirement.
The conference proved a good source for us, seven years ahead of retirement. We may even consider attending again closer to the event as our circumstances, or general guidance, may have changed by then. Although there were brief opportunities at conference to discuss topics in sessions and over meals, we spent much of the weekend alone, discussing the impact on our own situation. In hindsight, it may have been beneficial to have kept in more direct contact with the other attendees or leaders. If there was a social network for those approaching or in retirement, it would be much easier to chat in more detail about the topics covered, or support those who need some guidance on a way ahead, as mentioned above.
At the conference, we were surprised by the acceptance that many retired Baptist ministers decide to attend non-Baptist churches in retirement. I wonder how much of that is that they don’t feel valued or supported in their retirement. After all, at Assembly, there is no acknowledgement for those who retire after years of faithful service, they only receive recognition when they die. There is NAMS for new ministers and CMD for on-going ministers, but retired ministers are left to fend for themselves with only one conference, which may be too late for some.
I feel that BUGB is missing an opportunity to utilise the wealth of experience of ministers after retirement, or to appreciate the wellbeing boost to be gained through being supported more effectively along this part of ministry life. If some of the information relevant for retirees, or in their approach to retirement, was available on the BUGB website or promoted via social networks, it would allow people to access it at a pace that suits them and find the support at the appropriate time. It may even change the dynamic of the conference from an avalanche of practical information and triggered emotions to a place where those due to retire can eagerly connect with others, and share how God is working, therefore make the approach to retirement a better experience.
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Click here for more information about Thrive - which encourages networking among the spouses of UK Baptist ministers at all stages of ministry or mission, from training through to retirement. |
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