The Seminary Explores

A Time of Transition: Retirement and the Clergy

Pastor Paul Mundey, Senior Pastor at the Frederick Church of the Brethren, discusses the issues of retirement for the clergy. What does retirement mean for the pastor? What are the issues for the congregation? Mundey shares his process of transition into retirement as an example and highlights some of the research and scholars on retirement and transitions in the parish.

Secular Religion and Sunday Worship

The Rev. Dr. Mark Oldenburg shares with Dr. Largen two “horror stories” involving 4th of July Sunday morning worship services as a way to talk more constructively about how to balance “secular religion” and Sunday worship services. The goal is to both recognize and celebrate the things that matter in our daily lives—like our country, but also honor and worship God as the absolute center of our life. Public ministers, you don’t want to miss this one!

Building Effective Long-term Pastorates

Dr. Christianson speaks with the Rev. Glenn Ludwig, Vice President of Seminary Advancement, Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, and author, In it for the Long Haul: Building Effective Long-term Pastorates (Alban Institute, 2011) about long term pastorates.  Rev. Ludwig observes that we have changed our minds about long-term pastorates.  Where once three years was thought to be a good average, we now think that one doesn’t really develop a foundation until the seventh or eighth years. He describes five pillars for building a healthy congregation and a long-term pastorate, including how to create a climate of trust.