WHO is going to retire this General Conference session? For the past few weeks this question has been a popular one. Several on the GC staff have already announced their intentions. As to others, if any, we will have to wait and see. Guessing is a waste of time.
Our interest in healthy-minded and able-bodied retiring ministers from any position in any geographical location is limited only to what they do after they retire. Forty-five hundred ministers in North America alone are on sustentation. Undoubtedly, many of these have a lot of spark left in the body and brain battery. What a blessing if they could start Bible studies and raise up a company of believers in some dark or near-dark county area. We have huge areas in all parts of the world where there is no Adventist witness! All too often we find ministers retiring in areas that are already too salty with salt!
We do not deny the fact that balmy breezes, sunshiny days, golf courses, sandy beaches, lovely shopping centers, and gorgeous scenery are most appealing. But what about those towns and villages gripped by Siberian winters and Death Valley summers where thousands of precious people live and yet no Seventh-day Adventist has knocked on their doors bringing light from Heaven?
It is fully recognized that there are some retired ministers who may need to be close to medical facilities owing to poor health. But those who have good health, a strong mind, and a deep love for souls could retire at least for a few years in areas where they could do dark-county evangelism of one type or another. Imagine what would happen if even one thou sand of our retired workers would settle in dark counties or in areas where a small company of believers need help.
We are not advocating that a person spend the rest of his life this way, but at least a few years of retirement in such a locality would greatly strengthen God's church and be a marvelous blessing to the retiree.
Some months ago, while in England, I met Pastor and Mrs. W. C. S. Raitt, workers who had retired after 45 years of mission service. Brother Raitt, rather than take off his armor before death, decided to do some door-to-door work with our magazines, particularly Good Health, and to give out back copies of Our Times, Signs, and free Bible portions that he obtained from the Scripture Gift Mission. Our work as a church in England is not large compared to the population. Mil lions live there who know nothing about us. Brother Raitt stated in a recent letter that he was fully convinced that although it takes a great deal of determination after one has met a dozen refusals to persist in this door-to-door work, yet it will eventually result in contacts being established, some of which will blossom out into interest in spiritual things and finally lead to Bible studies.
As a result of Pastor Raitt's work, he has approximately twenty to thirty regular buyers of Good Health and has made two or three excellent contacts with persons who needed comfort and help.
There is a vivaciousness about Pastor and Mrs. Raitt that makes them look and act considerably younger than they really are! Why? Is it not the fact that these folks are sharing their time and energy in blessing others through witnessing for Christ that is keeping them young in spirit!
I would like to challenge our re tired ministerial force and other retired workers, if you are still in good health and strength, to consider moving into an area where you could help establish a beach head for the Advent Movement. We make this same appeal to those who are contemplating retirement soon.