Retirement involves personal and professional dimensions for everyone who reaches this milestone. However, like many other aspects of a pastor’s life, retirement includes unique challenges. In Stepping Aside, Moving Ahead, popular author Steve Harper writes letters to clergy that help them work through challenges that are unique to their retirement, whether planning for retirement or already moving ahead into it. Structured to address the four components of a good retirement (formative dynamics, formative transitions, specific behaviors, and emerging attitudes), this valuable resource can help clergy experience this phase of life more successfully and with greater satisfaction.
“Retirement is a spiritual question for pastors. Having answered the call of God to lifetime ministry, how does a pastor assume the role of a retiree? Steve Harper answers the question with spiritual insights and practical suggestions that affirm retirement as a chapter in God’s call leading us to new depths of understanding in renewal and new heights of joy in redeployment.”
—David McKenna, President Emeritus, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY
“Stepping Aside, Moving Ahead offers theological, personal, and practical advice for anyone who is considering or who is already in retirement. Harper includes a comprehensive spectrum of the issues around clergy retirement. His message is clear: there is abundant life after retirement. This book should be given to every clergy at preretirement seminars in order to prepare servant leaders for this fruitful chapter in their lives.”
—Peggy A. Johnson, Bishop, Philadelphia Area, UMC
“This book is an excellent tool for boomers and clergy ... who see great significance in living our legacy of love and faith as we mentor others!”
—Clayton L. Smith, Executive Pastor, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
