{"id":111836,"date":"2022-05-03T17:00:53","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T21:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=111836"},"modified":"2022-05-03T18:18:08","modified_gmt":"2022-05-03T22:18:08","slug":"london-times-fast-track-into-priesthood-for-retired-city-workers-head-teachers-and-police","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=111836","title":{"rendered":"([London] Times) Fast track into priesthood for retired city workers, head teachers and police"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

Retired city workers, head teachers and police officers are being fast-tracked into the clergy to bring a \u201clifetime of work experience\u201d to rural churches and share the load with overstretched vicars.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Read it all<\/a> (subscription).<\/p>\n

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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 \u2018elders\u2019 to be older & normal to raise up leaders from within congregation. Many FIEC churches do this. https:\/\/t.co\/950hKc1OBW<\/a><\/p>\n

— John Stevens (@_JohnStevens) May 1, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n