Retiring with purpose By Robert “Chap” Milis W
hile much is said about fi nancial planning for retire- ment, little is mentioned
about what to do during retirement. Unlike past generations, many of today’s retirees have freedom, lon- gevity and an ability to do things they want to do, not just what they have to do. Purposeful Retirement, a min-
Bikers, part of the Purposeful Retirement program of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, Minn., pause along the local biking trail.
Getting started
Even if your congregation already has a program in place for seniors, it’s easy to get stuck in “the potluck zone” and only offer social activities. To expand your ministry to include spiritual growth, education and service opportunities:
Discover your champion. Is there a member already passionate about retirement ministry who just needs support and encouragement? An energetic partner is invaluable for generating ideas and spreading the word to others.
Ask questions. Hold a focus group or series of informal meetings with other parishioners. What are the demo- graphics? What do they need? What interests them?
Make a plan. Form a steering com- mittee to analyze your fi ndings and develop a plan with clear objectives and outcomes. Decide who your target audience is (already retired or nearing retirement?) and how to best reach them.
Pilot events. Invite people to a series of events over a short period of time.
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Each event should be specifi c in focus and enticing. Make clear the value in attending, such as “fi nding the right volunteer job.”
Change it up. Go for a variety of formats, such as a guest speaker or panel, roundtable discussions and off-site fi eld trips. Try different times and days of the week. Weekdays may be best for people already retired, but weeknights and weekends will be better for people still working.
Expand and invite. Get feedback and ideas from participants and use that information to develop a full calendar of events for six months or up to a year. Continue to seek and invite new people.
By Trip Sullivan, communications director, Shepherd of the Valley
Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, Minn.
istry of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Val- ley, Minn., is designed to guide retirees as they enter what could well be their “second half” of life. It was inspired by a similar minis- try at Redeemer Lutheran Church in nearby White Bear Lake and a workshop on older adult minis- tries organized by Lyngblomsten, an ELCA-affi liated social ministry organization. “We have always had events
for ‘seniors,’ but have had trouble engaging people ages 55 to 70 because they don’t self-identify as seniors,” said Trip Sullivan, commu- nications director for Shepherd of the Valley. “Purposeful Retirement has met that need and become a runaway success.” Launched a year ago, Purposeful
Retirement holds monthly meetings (free and open to the public) that include guest speakers, roundtable discussions and book reviews. Top- ics have ranged from strengthen- ing family relationships to fi nding volunteer opportunities. T e concept of retirement is
Looking for more tips? Check out the free podcasts at
www.agelessfaith. org, a service of Lyngblomsten. For more information on Purposeful Retirement, contact Duane Paetznick, pastor (
duane.paetznick@
sotv.org).
JOHN EIDEM
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