WHERE WILL YOU LIVE?
While choosing where you will live is always an option for people when they retire, there are some unique features to a pastor’s retirement that need to be examined. Where you live can have an affect on the congregation, your family, yourself, and your friends.
STAYING IN YOUR HOME
When I retired in 2006, I already owned my home, didn’t have another place I’d always wanted to move to, and enjoyed my community. Take a piece of paper and jot down quickly some of the issues that can arise by my staying in my old home. My wife and I talked openly with each other about some of the dangers this might pose for the church. We agreed that if problems arose, we would move. We identified some possible issues, shared them with some knowledgeable friends and invited them to tell us if they saw these problems arising.
We also alerted our congregation to our new parameters and why they were important. Because our home was more than twenty minutes away from the church, it made it a little easier. Still, we often went to community events where other members were, shopped in the same stores, etc. It was important that we set up a radar in case we were deluding ourselves.
FAMILIES ARE AFFECTED
I mentioned that my wife and I discussed what we were going to do. It’s important not to overlook that deciding to move or not to move affects family members as well. They also have friends, jobs, activities that are affected by your decision. Even adult children have feelings about your moving from the community in which they grew up. It is more than an individual decision.
ECONOMICS ARE A FACTOR
One of the benefits that most clergy have enjoyed during their career is that the church that called them paid for their moving expenses. After continuing to live in my home for six years, I did decide to move to another state. In my case it was to a retirement community, but regardless, the expense of the move is now yours.
Also, the ease or difficulty in selling your house can become a factor. Not all houses sell easily or for the price you hope to receive. Believe me, downsizing and packing in order to save money can be an arduous task.
A NEW FREEDOM
The good news is that it can offer you an opportunity for a whole new adventure. Liberated from church responsibilities, we have chosen a retirement community in a whole new location. We have the freedom to construct a whole new life with exciting possibilities.
