Expiration Date? by Rev. Thomas Schade

Reverend Merritt's retirement comes closer and closer.

As I have been explaining my vision and my goals for the congregation over the next period of time, people ask the most about my intention to retire in about five years.

It’s not the way most ministers in our tradition do it; the conventional wisdom among my colleagues is that it is best to delay announcing one’s retirement until the last possible moment. The fear is that you have no authority to lead when you are a lame duck.

So, why would I put an expiration date on my solo ministry?

1. The last time First Unitarian had a full-blown ministerial search process was 1983, when Rev. Merritt was called. Ministerial searches are lengthy, expensive, and tedious affairs. They disrupt whatever momentum the church has going; people find it hard to make long term commitments to an institution that is going through a two or three year interim process. But ministerial searches can be very good for a congregation. They give a church a chance to look at itself and decide for itself where it wants to go. By setting a retirement date for myself, I send a message that a search process is inevitable and coming. First Unitarian can prepare for it and make the most of it.

2. I want to dispel the illusion of unchanging timelessness in the church. The biggest negative to my becoming the solo minister is that it sends a message that change at First Unitarian is unhurried and perhaps even unnecessary. And yes, religion and spirituality do deal with what is either eternal or endlessly recurring about the human condition. But as an institution in time, we need to be constantly changing and adapting to the world we live in. By saying that in five years, I will be leaving, I am asking “where do we want to be in five years? Not someday in the gauzy future, but in five very concrete years from now?”

3. I think that our major challenge as a congregation is to become the institution of the next generation – to pass the torch of leadership to the post-baby boomer generations. That means me, too. There is such a danger that our whole culture will get caught in the worldview of my generation. It will be good for the church to consider doing in 2015 what it did in 1983 – calling a young and talented newcomer to its pulpit.

4. My plan to retire in five years has the advantage of being based on the truth. People are like gum; they lose their flavor when they get chewed on for a long time. I will be at the customary retirement age in five years, and while I have the secret of eternal youth (chronic immaturity), I will be ready for a new and less hectic lifestyle.

5. Finally, I want to retire in five years and do whatever comes next in my life. Of course, events may intervene and I may need to stay longer or leave sooner, but we will see all of that coming together.

None of this is a sign, though, of any lack of enthusiasm for you or for the work that we are doing together. Our congregation is healthy, harmonious and optimistic. We have been gathering strength and commitment. More people are involved in the life of the church than ever before. I think that we are well on the way to be able to say to people with confidence:

Come to First Unitarian and you will have the opportunity to engage in deep and meaningful worship.

Come to First Unitarian and you will find an atmosphere that will be good for your children, helping them flourish into thoughtful, open-hearted and open-minded people.

Come to First Unitarian and you will find many opportunities to deepen your spiritual life.

Come to First Unitarian and you will find opportunities to give your gifts, develop your talents and express your best self.

Come to First Unitarian and you will find many opportunities to act on your dreams of a better and more just world.

Come to First Unitarian and you will become part of a social network of people who are building the kind of community we dream that Worcester and Central Massachusetts might be.