Ministry Beyond Retirement

I was pleased to read recently that a retired colleague and his wife have just finished three months of ministry in a ‘vacant’ church in New Zealand. From all reports they enjoyed their time in Kiwi-land and their ministry there was a blessing. Opportunities for ongoing ministry are there not only for those of us who are ordained pastors. When my father retired from his trade work he and Mum led a Bible study for many years and virtually became pastoral carers for the group they led.

Here in Narrabri where I now live with my family there have also arisen a number of opportunities for service in retirement. I want to tell you about one of those recent opportunities.

One of the key announcers on local community radio is the chairman of our Men's Shed. Some time ago I asked him if the radio station ever did meditations or 'thought for the day'. I mentioned to him that I had regularly done such meditations back in Devonport and also in Toowoomba on Television (until local telly there was taken over by WIN). He said they didn't but that there used to be a Sunday night religious program. He then challenged me to join local radio and put in an application to resurrect the Sunday night program.

I felt that the Lord was tapping me on the shoulder however I found it a little daunting to fill a whole hour – in fact it used to be a two-hour program. Anyway, after some prayerful consideration I put in the application. It was duly accepted and I then did two training sessions on how to use their equipment.

I did my first program with lots of butterflies (but managed to keep them flying in formation). Already on the following Monday morning I received two phone calls giving some very positive feedback so I was thankful that at least two people tuned in and were blessed . Although I believe that they say in the industry that for every response you get you can count on 100 listeners!?! The station also streams its programs and they have received responses from as far away as the UK. Some of the guys with whom I rub shoulders at the Men’s Shed have also been listening in.

The challenge now is that I spend half a day or more every week putting a radio program together. The program thus far has consisted of playing a dozen Christian songs, the reading of a Psalm and a short meditation. I’ve also found a great new use for Op Shops. They are a wonderful way of sourcing some Christian CDs to play on radio.

We’re praying that the program will be a blessing to the saints of Narrabri and a challenge to unbelievers here.
 
May I encourage you in your prayers to remember not only our Pastors, elders and deacons but also those who continue to serve in Kingdom work in their retirement.   Retirement is not the end of ministry.

Submitted by Rev. John Westendorp, a regular blogger on the CRCA website.