Engaging Retired Missionaries

Part 3 of a three-part series on caring for missionaries in their retirement.

By Scott Kenson

Imagine that as a pastor you had a number of skilled, gifted, willing workers in your church who were just waiting to be asked to serve. What would your response be? I don’t know about you, but I’d be thrilled. I know that it can be difficult at times to find workers for the various ministries of the church. In this article I show how retired missionaries can be an asset and a blessing to your church.

Eager to Serve

Missionaries by and large are self-starters with a heart to serve the Lord. When they retire, most of them are not interested in sitting back on their porch, drinking iced tea, shooting the breeze, and playing golf. (Although they might enjoy a round of golf on occasion). For their whole lives they have served the Lord, not out of duty or for a paycheck, but out of love and zeal for the Lord. When they reach retirement age, most are not ready to retire, but mission board requirements and 65 to 70 journeys around the sun contribute together to require a change of pace and ministry that people call “retirement.” In other words, retired missionaries still have a great zeal to serve the Lord but may not have the energy and stamina required to do so full-time. They retire back to their passport country, settle down in a church, and . . .

In talking with retired missionaries, I found that, while they were eager and willing to continue serving, many of them felt like they were “put on a shelf and left there.” They had a heart to serve but were not engaged to do so. They might be given a small task here and there in the church but usually they felt that they had more to contribute than they were given opportunity.

Skilled Veteran Workers

Missionaries have had years of practical ministry experience. While they may or may not be up on the latest trends in church ministry in the States, they know how to connect with and minister to people. However not all missionaries are the same. Some are very good preachers. Some are excellent administrators. Some are skilled Bible teachers, able to teach the Bible in great depth. Some are excellent children’s workers. Some are gifted personal evangelists. Some are thoughtful planners, skilled at casting vision or helping think through programs and ministry philosophy. Some are gifted in one-on-one discipleship. The point is that retired missionaries don’t just fit one type of mold or only one type of ministry. They can be a blessing in many areas in the church.

Possible Areas of Service

Missionaries who are great preachers can be tapped for pulpit supply, recommended as interim pastors for struggling churches, or asked to help team-preach through a book or series.

Gifted Bible teachers could teach a Sunday School class or help train younger men in the church for pastoral leadership. Some know Greek and Hebrew and could teach biblical languages to men interested in ministry or help the pastor brush up on his biblical languages. They might be able to assist the pastor in expository research or be theology discussion partners.

For those who are excellent children’s workers, Sunday School, AWANA, VBS, or children’s choirs may be a good fit. They could also work alongside a younger person who has more energy to create additional kids’ ministries and outreach.

Gifted administrators or thoughtful planners can be put on your missions committee with the charge of educating both themselves and those on the committee on missions philosophy, selection of missionaries the church should support, and care for missionaries. Include them in board meeting discussions on the direction of the church. If they are good communicators, they can help the church more clearly understand the opportunities and challenges missionaries on the field face.

For those who are gifted at one-on-one discipleship, you can pair them up with young men/women who want to be mentored.

For those who are gifted at one-on-one evangelism, give them opportunities and means to use their gift, and watch them bring people into the church.

Consider putting retired missionaries on your elder/deacon board. Their wisdom gleaned from many years of ministry can be a help to the church and to you as pastor.

Most important of all, sit down and talk with them about how they think they can best serve your church. They know their giftedness and would be glad to tell you of ways they think they can be of service.

An Opportunity on Our Doorstep

Over the last few years numerous immigrants have entered North America. Leaving the politics of the situation aside, the sheer number of international people in our communities is an opportunity to spread the gospel. Many countries around the world are closed to missionaries, yet people from those very countries are right here on our doorsteps. Retired missionaries could be great assets in reaching into those communities. With their international and cross-cultural experience, they could help spearhead outreach, help your church learn how to be welcoming to people of other cultures, and act as bridges to help connect with the international community around you.

Retired missionaries don’t want to stop serving the Lord—they often just need to be engaged. Give them a ministry to sink their teeth into and let them go to work. You’ll be glad you did.

Scott Kenson (a pseudonym) serves as a church planter in Creative Access Nations ministry.