Dear Young Minister, Retired Ministers Have a Message: Don't Burn Out

10325 West 36th Street,Little Rock AR 72204

26 January, 2023

Description

Learn more about this program at our meeting! Shepherd’s Fold Ministries is sponsoring a Pilot Program for ministers aged 30 and younger. During early 2023 we will teach the top 3 lessons from the ground-breaking research study we commissioned in 2019 for Retirement Age Pastors. The title of the pilot program is “Dear Young Ministers, Retired Ministers Have a Message for You: Don’t Burn Out”. We will measure the impact of the activities on participants from their pre and post involvement in the program in the 3 areas listed below. Participants will offer feedback, insights, and ideas. The 2019 research study guiding this pilot program is the only research study ever conducted of retirement age ministers across denominational lines. Nearly 2,500 participants (5 times needed for academic verifiability) from over 12 denominations and independent churches participated in this study. This 433-page study conducted by the Lifeway Research Department identified the following 3 issues as the strongest predictors of long-term well-being: 1. Overcoming loneliness and isolation through continuing to develop new friends. 2. Having confidence in having adequate financial resources during retirement age. 3. Satisfaction of ministry efforts. The pilot program is divided into three sections. Each section addresses one of the above-mentioned issues. After being introduced to an issue, participants will be offered one project to complete, two articles to read, and three inspirational podcasts. Following work on each issue, participants will collaborate to offer reflections, thoughts, and ideas. Here’s the format: • Opening in-person Meeting. January 2023. This meeting will cover the overall direction of the project plus the issue of loneliness. Thru Feb.16: Participants complete 1 project, read 2 articles, and listen to 3 podcasts related to overcoming loneliness. • Zoom meeting. Thursday, Feb.16. 1-3 pm CST. Review previous topic and introduce second topic: financial confidence in retirement years. Thru Mar. 16: Participants complete 1 project, read 2 articles, and listen to 3 podcasts related to the issue of financial confidence in retirement years. • Zoom meeting. Thursday, March 16. 1-3 CST. Review previous topic and introduce topic of satisfaction with ministry efforts. Thru Closing Mtg: Participants complete 1 project, read 2 articles, and listen to 3 podcasts related to the issue of satisfaction with ministry efforts. • Closing In-Person Meeting. Final reflections from the pilot program.