Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 16, 1991 TAG: 9103160017
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By Frances Stebbins
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
That depends, said several clergy now living in the Roanoke area. A former pastor may be either a valued colleague to help the new man or woman learn the ropes or an embarrassment who makes it impossible for a good change to take place.
The Rev. Howard Peters, who expects to take a second retirement this June after 50 years in United Methodist ministry, said "They told me in seminary to go where you're sent and stay away from where you were."
Peters said he will continue to live in Salem , where he has had a home for several years, but he will not have any involvement with his current part-time parish, Trinity in Old Southwest Roanoke. In a life of moving, Peters said, "I've made many friends. It won't be hard to start over again in another church."
Two clergymen, who were denominational executives for years before their retirements, agreed basically that Peters' decision is a sound one. Both the Rev. Rolen C. Bailey, a Southern Baptist, and the Rev. J. Harris Stephens, a Presbyterian, said they have often counseled ministers to either move out of the community of their former church or find another one as far away as possible.
"It's hard for the new person at the church to form the necessary bonds," said Bailey, who did not, however, leave Melrose Church when he retired 14 months ago as executive of the Roanoke Valley Baptist Association. He didn't take his own advice, he said, because he had been involved in no pastoral care at Melrose and, even when working, regarded himself as just another member there.
Stephens, currently interim minister at Raleigh Court Presbyterian, said in his denomination pastors actually are affiliated not with a congregation but with the regional governing body called a presbytery. But because of family involvements, the issue still must be faced, he noted.
"When I was counseling ministers in Fayetteville Presbytery, [where he worked from 1973 to 1980] I often saw a former pastor in the church as causing trouble. . . Clergy have large hearts and it's awfully hard to say no to personal friends everyone makes."
Stephens said he never had any trouble personally with former ministers being around, but as a whole he thinks it's good for both pastors and people to get a fresh start and put aside the practices - if not the memories - of predecessors.
When the Rev. Dr. James Henry left St. John's Episcopal Church in Bedford several weeks ago after nearly a decade there, he put his intentions in writing. Henry is now a professional pastoral counselor in Roanoke but continues to live in Bedford. In a letter published in the parish newsletter he said he wanted no misunderstandings.
A Letter of Agreement at Termination stated that as of the resignation date "all priestly, pastoral and administrative duties" end. And even though the church may be without a minister for a year or more, the former pastor will not fill in when asked for his services.
The contract does not prohibit Henry from worshiping "on occasion" at St. John's and he can go to other churches to officiate as invited. But, it is further stated, " he will neither say nor listen to any uncomplimentary or critical remarks concerning the interim clergy, past or future rectors in social or other gatherings."
The Rev. William Kinser, a Lutheran pastor of 67, spent 30 years watching a Richmond parish grow before he retired to his wife's home community of Poages Mill more than two years ago.
"It was good to have the excuse to come back to the home place, but I would have left St. Matthew in any case," Kinser said. "It would have been nice to stay, but not fair. I had been their only pastor. Both sides would have had to give too much."
The Rev. Dr. William Cole, interim at Colonial Presbyterian after retiring last year from 13 years in Rockbridge County, said his former Shenandoah Presbytery had "an unwritten policy" of expecting pastors to leave the community. Cole, who once served West End Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, said he is enjoying starting over in a changed place.
So much for the negatives. Two retired pastors look at staying around differently.
"Where else would I have gone?" asked the Rev. Harry Y. Gamble, 75, who took early retirement from Calvary Baptist Church 13 years ago. He had spent nearly his entire career in the old city congregation.
Gamble explained that he regards Calvary as a non-typical Southern Baptist congregation; it's more ecumenical and flexible in practices and doctrines than most he might have conveniently joined. And even after more than a decade out of full-time work, Gamble is still widely known in the valley.
The Rev. Paul Alwine, who retired last summer from First Church of the Brethren, also has remained with the people he had served for 24 years. He feels good about it, he said, because they made him pastor emeritus and he was specifically invited to stay by his successor, the Rev. Michael Chandler.
Gamble, however, sounds a warning to ministers who remain.
"Many years have passed and I have a very wholesome relationship with the current pastor. I am careful always to talk with him before accepting any pastoral requests for currently active members. I'm grateful that he's very flexible. It's good, too, for your successor to know you have ties you don't want to break."
by CNB