Retirement
Preparing for Retirement
Preparing for retirement cannot be done in a hurry! It should ideally take several years as you hand over responsibilities and prepare practically and emotionally for this next stage of your life and ministry. You have probably already been thinking about many of the logistics associated with your leaving and retirement for quite some time. This page contains resources that may be helpful in this process.
One such resource, What Missionaries Ought to Know About Retirement, gives helpful and practical advice on living, finance, activities/ministry and friendships.
Additionally, the sections of Transitions Finishing Well, Leaving and Re-entry will also contain some helpful suggestions and resources.
In chapter 1 of the book Stand (available here for free in PDF format), Jerry Bridges notes four things that are fundamental for finishing well:
• Daily time of focused personal communion with God
• Daily appropriation of the gospel
• Daily commitment to God as a living sacrifice
• Firm belief in the sovereignty and love of God
As you complete your End of Term Review, please note there are some supplemental questions (labeled For those finishing their final term with AIM) to help you as you bring closure to one phase and look toward the next. Think about these carefully as you prepare to discuss them with your Unit Leader or supervisor.
Be sure to be in contact with your Mobilising Region in good time regarding practical details such as finances, health insurance, medical checks, etc. Each Mobilising Region has different laws and policies.
In addition, check out any conferences or retreats you may be able to attend for those retiring from overseas service. Your Mobilising Region may be able to offer some suggestions. What a great way to start this new phase of life!
“I’m seeing retirement as the beginning of a new chapter in my life, with further opportunities for serving the Lord. I’m looking forward to renewing contact with family and friends and getting more fully involved in the life of my home-church. I’m also looking forward to experiencing the seasons once again, some of the conveniences of western life, and the good things that are still there to enjoy in my home culture.”
Edith Currie, Retiree
Here are a few more resources you may find helpful:
Ageing and retirement: practical aspects (PDF) From Global Connections UK – a list of resources on the practical aspects of retiring.
Retirement for Missionaries (Online article) An encouragement to look ahead to what’s next after retiring.
Retirement resources from OSCAR A UK-based site holding some practical thoughts on retirement, written by retired missionaries.
Now I’m 64: a birthday meditation A blog entry by Tony Horsfall, author of Working from a Place of Rest among others.
Called for Life: Finding Meaning in Retirement (Amazon link) A book by Paul C Clayton on serving God in the context of retirement.
Retirement Business Ideas – A number of suggestions regarding what to do with your retirement that you might not have considered before!
