I think emotional health can be a major challenge for those in the retirement phase of life. So much of our identity has been centered on our professional activities and it is easy for one to flounder as to who we are. A wise friend told me as I neared retirement that I needed to think about what my platform was going to be. Yes I’m still an ordained pastor but for almost forty years that has been identified with serving a church. Now, who am I?
For my emotional health, it is important to know who I am in this phase of my life. Personally I have identified several endeavors that continue to give me a sense of satisfaction. Although they approach it from several angles, the core of my interest is on care of clergy. I think that the pressure on clergy increases every year and I want to encourage and nurture them in their work. I’ve not taken nor am I interested in intentional interim work, but I find satisfaction in being able to enable a pastor to take a sabbatical while I fill in. I also enjoy taking some clergy out for lunch or just talking to them over the phone and allowing them to process what they are experiencing.
This blog as well as webinars and workshops on caring for clergy provide me a way of building support for other clergy. For example, I’ve teamed up with the Presbyterian Outlook to offer a webinar on Tuesday, October 2 for sessions of Presbyterian Churches on how to support their pastors. I intend to continue exploring these types of activities.
Another important area of satisfaction for me is the area of humor. I have previously done work on the Psalms and lament and now want to combine that with my work on humor. For pastors to develop the ability to own their laments and engage their sense of humor can help preserve their sanity in a crazy world.
These are some of my intentional ways of keeping myself emotionally healthy. What are some of yours. Don’t just assume it will all work out. Be intentional about what you need to do to keep your spirits up.
