NASHVILLE — God does not end his calling to ministers just because they turn 70, a United Methodist Church panel said in calling for an end to the denomination’s mandatory retirement policy.
The church’s Committee on Older Adult Ministry approved legislation that would revoke the mandatory retirement age of 70. In order to become church policy, the legislation will need to be approved by delegates to next year’s General Conference meeting in Pittsburgh.
The panel, which met in Nashville March 25–27, called the policy “antiquated and ageist” and said, “God does not take away God’s blessing, including opportunity to serve in full capacity, simply because someone has reached the age of 70 years or older.”
The resolution will now be considered by the church’s General Board of Discipleship and then forwarded to the Pittsburgh assembly, according to United Methodist News Service.
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