Retirement is the start of a fresh chapter for many, offering a new lease of life to travel the world, pursue hobbies, hang out with the grandchildren or, for a growing band of people, join the priesthood.
Retired city workers, head teachers and police officers are being fast-tracked into the clergy to bring a “lifetime of work experience” to rural churches and share the load with overstretched vicars.
It is hoped that up to 8,000 Church of England worshippers in their late fifties, sixties or seventies, particularly those with managerial experience from their careers and a track record of serving as church wardens or lay ministers, could be tempted to train as priests to serve in their local parish after retirement.
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Older men with lifetime of experience, proven character & spiritual maturity are an untapped potential for pastoral ministry. It is biblical to expect ‘elders’ to be older & normal to raise up leaders from within congregation. Many FIEC churches do this. https://t.co/950hKc1OBW
— John Stevens (@_JohnStevens) May 1, 2022