PCA Question on Elder Emeritus (RE's and TE's)

BlackCalvinist

BlackCalvinist

Puritan Board Senior
Hi folks!

Having a session discussion regarding the role of pastor emeritus (BCO 24-10). What does that look like at your church ? We're looking at ideas on how this could look.

Thoughts ?

KG
 
Good to see you here again, KG! Although Presbyterian / Reformed, I once helped a pastor friend in a 1689 church by co-pastoring with him, and then, due to age/infirmity retired and was unofficially a pastor emeritus in the congregation. As generally understood it was an honorary position – still able to teach, preach, counsel, etc, yet without the authority of a standing TE (no REs in this church). So I was able to function as en elder, without the voting privilege of such (though my opinions had some authority), yet be a help to the body. My wife and I were loved and honored by the congregation, and we loved them also.

Strangely, in the Lord's providence – and due to a crucial need – I'm back fully pastoring a small Presbyterian / Reformed congregation in the island nation of Cyprus, even at 81. Glad to serve the Lord at the end, seeing as I wasted so many years of my youth!

Hope you and yours are well, KG!
 
Shouldn't you be looking at BOCO 23-3? We are in this situation the long time pastor (my late sister's husband) having retired and we called a new pastor last year. He is still active as far as his credentials/presbytery so he can officially perform and help out when needed (pastor vacation, etc.). But he is not a member of session as far as voting or anything like that I don't think. You don't want the former pastor around with any authority like on session as that can undermine the new pastor and create conflict, particularly when it was a long time pastorate before the new pastor. If you want to know exactly how this was navigated I can ask.
 
Pastor emeritus is a purely honorific title. It does not confer any responsibilities or rights. A TE must be "medically disabled or honorably retired" to receive the title, which means that the pastoral relationship has been dissolved (BCO 23-1). Certainly, a session could allow a Pastor emeritus to sit in on a session meeting without the privilege of a vote. The Pastor emeritus (as an honorably retired TE) remains a member of Presbytery with a vote.
 
The only thing I would add as far as "what it looks like" is that Emeritus should only be conferred on those who are at an age or circumstance where they have fulfilled the requirement of those whom we would consider retired. We had a TE in our Presbytery, barely in his 50s, that wanted to move on in his life to another vocation. We did not vote to grant him Emeritus status at the Presbytery as it was apparent he wants to leave the Pastorate to do something else with this life.
 
The pastor preceding me in my current church retired and was given emeritus status. As far as what that looks like for us, he is basically a good church member, caring for other people in that way. He will preach on occasion when we ask, and he still participates in our missions committee. He will also give advice when I ask, which is very helpful since he was here so long. But other than that, he is hands off regarding leadership roles, even after we asked him to do more. He simply said, "I'm retired, I'm not looking for anything to do now." As for what it "looks like" for you, that will vary depending on the man. Some have a hard time letting go and will need clear boundaries from the Session. Others are very ready to hand over the reigns and pass the torch on.
 
We recently had an associate pastor move to emeritus status. There was an reduction in both pay and duties but he is still active in the life of the congregation. Sort of a full circle for him; he started out part time at the church while teaching at DTS.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top