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Keeping covenant with the Ministers' Retirement Fund
By Jan Jett
In 1980, a ministerial candidate asked a young associate pastor at Irvington UMC in Indianapolis about his call to the ministry. Part of the reply the Rev. Marvin Singleton made related to the church organization.
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Responding to the call to ministry through ordination means accepting a set-apart ministry of sacrificial love. |
"Within the UM structure," he said, "an ordained elder knows he will have an appointment. He is secure in a place to live, in insurance and for retirement." Now, 24 years later, his reply would be the same, Singleton stated as he reflected on plans to retire within the next decade. Retirement funds are secure.
But there are new concerns. Such a concern we all face is the rising cost of health care. In 2004, 15 percent of the South Indiana Conference budget will be needed to provide this benefit. In 20 years, the SIC staff projects, health care benefits could consume as much as 25 percent of the conference's annual budget.
Recognizing the expanding needs in the future, the South Indiana Foundation is currently raising funds for The Ministers' Retirement Fund. This endowed fund can only be used to continue the unbroken covenant by supporting the needs of retired clergy families. The 2000 statement of philosophy adopted by the South Indiana Foundation board of directors recommends that the permanently restricted Ministers' Retirement Fund be continued as a permanent endowment
In a recent article, the Rev. Marie Lang, executive director of South Indiana Foundation stated that one of the primary reasons pastors give for leaving the ministry is their concern for retirement. The church needs to attract and retain dedicated and faithful clergy. Active clergy, laity and retired clergy are concerned about retirement. Dedicated, faithful clergy are needed to carry out the command to make new disciples and to carry forth the mission projects that feed the hungry and care for those who can't care for themselves.
Significant gift
The South Indiana Foundation currently makes a significant gift from the Ministers' Retirement Fund to cover the unfunded liability incurred when the pension plan changed to a contribution plan in 1982.
Although the unfunded liability is nearing completion, the Ministers' Retirement Fund remains an endowed fund dedicated to the needs of retired clergy and their families. A plan is being formulated to use the fund to provide for some of the rising costs of health care benefits. The Foundation's plan thus would keep the costs from falling entirely on local churches.
Churches and individuals are being asked to consider the endowed fund as they look at their futures and plan accordingly. The Rev. Ned Steele, Vincennes District Superintendent, has included the retirement fund in his will. A percentage of his assets will go to his sons, his daughter and to the Foundation for the Ministers' Retirement Fund. He is doing this to honor the covenant he made at ordination.
Meeting with Dr. Kenneth Forbes, executive assistant to the bishop, the evening before ordination in 1974, Steele said Forbes emphasized that a sacred covenant was being made and making it meant sharing responsibility for the care of clergy brothers and sisters.
In the spring 2004 issue of the Foundation's Update, a letter signed by the Revs. Dick Hamilton and Charles Ballard stated "The viability of ministry as a life vocation is diminishing and our churches will suffer from the shortage of leadership."
The South Indiana Foundation is striving to present a strategy that will help churches, the conference and individuals to plan and grow with confidence. The Ministers' Retirement Fund gives clergy a way to care for retired clergy as well as receive assurance that they will be cared for in retirement.
Lifelong ministry
Clergy who are retired continue their covenant to life-long ministry. They are free to accept challenges and assignments that appeal to their interests and to the needs they identify in their communities. A stable retirement and assurance of health care benefits allows them to be creative and productive.
The Rev. Ruth Milgate, retired and living in Evansville is working with Reflecting Waters, a new program to provide living facilities and programming for homeless women recovering from alcohol and drugs. Milgate is grateful to the South Indiana Conference for the pension she receives which makes it possible for her to utilize resources and energy in a creative ministry.
Concern about rising health care costs is real and troublesome. As the endowment fund shares some of these costs, retired clergy will continue to have resources for care for their families and to share in new ministry.
Responding to the call to ministry through ordination means accepting a set-apart ministry of sacrificial love. It is a commitment to lifelong ministry. When ordinands answer "yes" to the bishop's question "are you moving on to perfection?" they chose to make this vow and seal a covenant. Placing the needs of ministry first is possible when clergy know they and their families will be cared for throughout their active ministries and into retirement and through their health care cost concerns.
Each of us, clergy and laity, have the opportunity to help bright, enthusiastic individuals answer the call to ministry with the assurance that they are entering an environment and system that will provide and care for them. They have made a vow and a covenant to one another and to The United Methodist Church. We need to help them realize the goodness and the faithfulness of this commitment. Let us spread the word about the Minister's Retirement Fund and how it is vital to churches as well as to clergy.
For more information or to ask questions about how you might help, contact Robin Andres at the South Indiana Foundation by calling 317-788-7879 or 877-391-8811 (toll free in Indiana), or by e-mail at robin@sifumci.org
Jan Jett serves as a Diaconal Minister in the South Indiana Conference and is a freelance writer, spiritual director and retreat leader.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008