Imagine being required to leave a job that you deeply love. What would you do -- forced to leave friends co-workers salary title because of age and not because of ability? Even though fully capable you are told that the organization no longer needs your service. This is the position retiring Black Methodist pastors encounter in their early 70’s. Unsure of their role within the church or next steps superannuating clergy find needed supports lacking. Black historic denominations do not provide retiring clergy any assistance beyond monetary support. Existing articles and books written by white pastors do not capture the retiring Black pastor’s experience.
Pastoral retirement planning should begin when individuals enter the ministry. The three affiliated seminaries: Payne Seminary (African Methodist Episcopal Church) Hood Seminary (African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church) and Phillips School of theology (Christian Methodist Episcopal Church) do not include. retirement planning as a prerequisite or elective course. To address the retirement learning gap this mix method study explores Black Methodist clergy retirement preparation. Through retirees shared stories and assessments a handbook will be developed. This handbook will assist clergy members’ transition from active pastoral service to post congregation ministry life.