For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. – Romans 12:4-5

First, my disclaimer. I have to apologize to the presenter, Board of Pensions rep (and Senior Church Consultant) Clark Simmons, for my poor photography. But even a bad photograph helps to tell the story so it will have to stand.

Rebekah and I drove over to Cary for a retiree luncheon sponsored by the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church. The event was designed to A) provide general pension-related information, B) clarify details specific to changes vis-a-vis retiree health insurance, C) introduce BOP’s new team member, Church Consultant Sarah Rich, and D), nurture the relationship between retirees and the BOP.

All retirement programs have to deal with periodic tweaks and changes and investments and variable market conditions and inflation and – most of all – the prolific and unreasonable escalation in costs when it comes to medical insurance.

But few if any pension programs work so hard and so purposefully to maintain personal contact (and support and good faith) with participants. And for that we are grateful.

We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: preaching, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. – Romans 12: 7-8

It helps that Clark Simmons has always been such a supportive advocate, beginning back when Rebekah’s dad was retired. Long term relationships go a long way. It also helps that our pension program is so historically well-capitalized, responsibly managed, favorably-positioned in the markets and solvent to a degree that is likely unprecedented and unmatched.

“We are drinking from a well,” Clark pointed out, “that we did not dig.” Although, looking at the average age and considering the ministry experience of so many people around the room, I’d venture to say there is a lot of dirt under a lot of fingernails and that a lot of that well really is ours.

One tidbit of information Clark shared is something I always knew but have not thought about in a long time. Pension credits are accrued and apportioned according to a leveling principle and have been for generations. In consequence, when a pastor retires having served congregations that could not offer competitive compensation, he or she receives a retirement income comparable to that of a tall-steeple preacher who earned maybe three times the salary.

It is good to know that after four-plus decades of ministry, we are still part of a church where faithful stewardship is practiced and where mutual generosity is a guiding principle.

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. – Romans 12:9-10

Rebekah and I are blessed in so many ways. This scripture from Romans, along with our beautiful connection to the faithful and persistent witness of the Presbyterian Church, serves as a reminder that we are not only a part of the Kingdom of God here on Earth – but we are still working to build it.

May we all be faithful to that calling – DEREK