Today we welcome back Dr. Ralph Neighbour to the podcast as we unpack a subject too many leaders put off until it’s too late . . . getting ready for life outside of the pulpit. We are watching many pastors in the 60s, 70s, or 80s who have no defined off-ramp. Today’s episode gives leaders permission to prepare financially for retirement, and to dream about the things they could do in their next season to be a blessing to humanity.

Here are the show notes:

• The retirement crisis for pastors
  • If you’re thirty years old . . . it’s twenty minutes to fifty. If you’re fifty years old . . . it’s ten minutes to seventy.
  • We need to have a clear direction of where we want to be and go.
  • Many if not most pastors are not ready for the next season outside of pastoral ministry within the confines of a church setting.
  • We are watching many pastors in their 60s, 70s, or 80s who have no off-ramp.
  • This is a huge crisis in the Church right now.
• What are some of the reasons pastors tend to shy away from thinking about retirement?
  • Our society in America abhors aging.
  • We have this idea if I’m called to be a pastor, I’m going to die as a pastor.
  • “Jesus is coming again” so why even prepare?
  • The flawed idea that thinking about retirement is selfish
  • “I’ve got plenty of time.”
• What other pieces of retirement besides financial are you thinking about?
  • We have not given ourselves permission as pastors to think about all the things we could do in retirement that would be a blessing to a humanity.
  • Learning to pass the baton to the next generation.
• What opportunities do you envision for pastors after they transition from pastoring a church?
  • Coaching younger leaders.
  • Entrepreneurial endeavors outside of the church environment.
  • Teaching
  • Question isn’t “What can you do?” The question is “What can you not do?”
  • The apostle Paul was a tentmaker.
• What 2-3 next steps would you suggest a pastor take if they haven’t started planning for the future?
  • If you’re a lead pastor, start the conversation with your staff
    • Start reading a book together – I.e., Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud
    • Find the right financial advisor, bring them into talk with the staff
    • Offer financial planning to the staff

If you’re interested in connecting with Ralph, here is his email address: [email protected]

Believing for an amazing 2022 for you!

John & Jim