A5 Role of the Retired Minister In the Local Church

Retired Ministers occupy a unique position in the life of the local church; they, and their words and actions, are usually respected and held in high regard. Occasionally difficulties arise over the role of a Retired Minister in a local church.                                                                                                                                     

The Minister in Pastoral Charge of a local church has the primary leadership role and responsibility through the office to which s/he has been called and inducted, and works as a member of the Elders’ Meeting.  

The Retired Minister has no office in the local church by virtue of being a Retired Minister and, therefore, no role or responsibility in any matter, other than as a Church Member. It is, therefore, inappropriate for a Retired Minister to take a lead in any aspect of local church life [e.g. pastoral work, funerals, leading of worship, house groups] unless it is at the invitation or with the agreement of the Minister in Pastoral Charge or, if the church is without a Minister in Pastoral Charge, the Elders’ Meeting and Area Pastoral Committee. It is important for Retired Ministers to speak and act very carefully, and be sure not to offer, or be regarded by others as offering, leadership in the local church; this is especially important in matters where their personal view is contrary to that of the Minister in Pastoral Charge and/or the Elders’ Meeting. Generally accepted protocol expects Retired Ministers to be, and to be seen to be, supportive of the leadership offered by the Minister in Pastoral Charge and/or the Elders’ Meeting, and to refrain from comment or action, public or private, which is contrary to this.  

This is not to say that the Retired Minister has no role to play within the local church, or that the Retired Minister is expected to hold identical views to the Minister in Pastoral Charge on every aspect of church life; most Retired Ministers are able to play a full and harmonious part in local church life, and understand their unique position, and the wisdom of the protocol.