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Products>The Jubilee Years: Embracing Clergy Retirement

The Jubilee Years: Embracing Clergy Retirement

Publisher:
, 2020
ISBN: 9781538145500
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Taking inspiration from the Spanish word for retirement—jubilacion—veteran minister Bruce Epperly challenges and empowers clergy to see retirement as a celebration of new possibilities. Similar in spirit to the Jubilee year described in scripture, retirement can be a time of transformation and exploration, of freedom to try on new versions of yourself and new paths of service. In that spirit, clergy can embrace creative transformation in their relationships, neighborhoods, religious communities, and politics. No longer tethered to the politics and administrative duties of congregational leadership, they can now freely commit themselves to relational, intellectual, and spiritual growth. They can also focus on personal, community, and planetary healing and transformation. Retired clergy can become sages and wisdom givers sharing their insights and energy with seminarians and novice pastors, congregations, and communities.

Bringing together the fruits of conversations with more than 100 retired clergy, theological reflection, and spiritual practices, this text provides a way forward for clergy considering retirement and retired clergy. Based on interviews from persons from diverse denominations, theological perspectives, and ethnic and racial backgrounds, this book garners wisdom from pastors on their retirement journeys, from personal preparation and public announcement to first steps following retirement and long-term adventures.


TABLE OF CONTENTS
A NEW BEGINNING
CHAPTER ONEINVITATION TO ADVENTURE
CHAPTER TWOTHEOLOGICAL GUIDEPOSTS
CHAPTER THREEEMBARKING ON A VISION QUEST
CHAPTER FOURTHE BODY IS THE TEMPLE
CHAPTER FIVEBRICKS, MORTAR, MONEY, AND MOVEMENT
CHAPTER SIX TRANSFORMATIVE THINKING
CHAPTER SEVEN LIVING IN THE SPIRIT
CHAPTER EIGHTCHANGING RELATIONSHIPS
CHAPTER NINECOMPANIONING WITH GOD
CHAPTER TENNECESSARY LOSSES
COMMENCMENT WORDS: THE JOURNEY AHEAD

Filled with a kaleidoscope of wisdom, astute insight, and engaging prose, The Jubilee Years sings of fresh possibilities for a spiritually adventurous retirement.

Always the pragmatic thinker, Bruce Epperly has written a well thought out, theologically relevant book for retiring clergy who still want to honor their call, make a difference, and enjoy all that life has to offer.

Bruce Epperly is the Director of Continuing Education and Professor of Practical Theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary. He is also co-pastor, with his wife Rev. Dr. Katherine Gould Epperly, of the Disciples United Community Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Prior to that time, Dr. Epperly served as Director of the Protestant Ministry and Adjunct Professor in Theology, Spirituality, and Medicine at Georgetown University and Medical School (1982-1999), and Acting Associate Dean, Assistant to the President for On-line Programs, and Adjunct Professor in Theology, Spirituality, and Pastoral Care at Wesley Theological Seminary (2000-2003). He has also served as an interim minister in Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ congregations as well as the Director of the Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health. An ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ, Dr. Epperly has written fifteen books, including God’s Touch: Faith, Wholeness and the Healing Miracles of Jesus; Mending the World: Spiritual Hope for Ourselves and Our Planet and Walking in the Light: A Jewish-Christian Vision of Healing and Wholeness (the first and second volumes of a trilogy on Jewish-Christian theology and spirituality, co-written with Rabbi Lewis Solomon); Reiki Healing Touch and the Way of Jesus (co-written with Kate Epperly), and The Power of Affirmative Faith: A Spirituality of Personal Transformation, which received Spirituality and Health magazine’s award as being “one of the best books in spirituality in 2001.†His latest books, to be released Fall 2008, include his response to Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life, Holy Adventure: Forty-one Days of Audacious Living; Feed the Fire: Avoiding Clergy Burnout, written with Kate Epperly; and The Four Seasons of Ministry: A Harvest of Righteousness. Dr Epperly speaks regularly throughout North America on subjects such as: healing and wholeness, spiritual formation, Christianity and complementary medicine, process theology, ministerial wholeness, and progressive theology and spirituality. He has appeared on “Nightline” “ABC World News Tonight” and “PBS News Hour.†He has been married to Rev. Dr. Katherine Gould Epperly since 1979, and is the parent of Matthew Epperly, age 26, who lives in Manhattan. Dr. Epperly’s interests, beyond the ministry and academics, include walking, reading mysteries, travel, gardening, and cooking. He regularly meets with students in the Adirondack chairs at Franklin and Marshall College, across the street from the seminary. He is a reiki teacher/master, spiritual guide, and spiritual coach for pastors interested in personal wellness and spiritual growth.

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