My friend Ric Shields invited me to be a guest on his DoorWays Ministry podcast series to talk about the questions that really matter when it comes to retirement.
What comes to your mind when you hear the word “retirement”? The word comes from the verb retire, which means “to go to sleep”. But most of us don’t plan to spend our retirement sleeping all day.
Most people think of retirement in terms of work. The dictionary definition is “to withdraw from one’s position or occupation; to conclude one’s working or professional career.”
Whether retirement is still years away, you’re getting ready for it, or you’re already a seasoned retiree, this series has something for you. We’ll explore how to plan, prepare, and thrive in whatever season of life you’re in now.
You can access all the episodes at this link, and I will post them here on the blog and on Facebook. I hope you will share them widely.
Episode 1
What Shall I Do? Finding Purpose Beyond Retirement
What if retirement isn’t the end of your working life, but the beginning of a new way to live out who God has made you to be?
Mike Bayer has spent more than three decades pastoring in a retirement community, and at 82, he’s still going. In this conversation, Mike challenges the idea that retirement means stepping away from purpose. He calls it the “fourth quarter of life” and encourages us to see those years not as a reduction of life, but an expansion of it.
Mike Bayer is the longtime pastor of The Village Church in Laguna Woods, California, where he has ministered primarily to senior adults for more than three decades. A former Marine, seminary graduate, pastor, entrepreneur, and longtime content creator, Mike continues to encourage people in what he calls the “fourth quarter of life.” His message is simple: “If you ain’t dead, you ain’t done.”
With decades of experience behind us, we have something valuable to offer: perspective, wisdom, lived experience, encouragement, service, and faith. Whether retirement is years away, just beginning, or already part of your story, Mike’s message is simple: if you’re still here, there’s still something to do.
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We retired early (62) yes with less money but lots of spirit to make the most of what we had, as well as enjoyed doing, along with learning new hobbies. We each have taken P/T jobs now and again for something big that hit us like major car repair. But I would not have changed a thing. This is one of my features for SSPS #434, thank you for joining us!
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Thanks for the feature Melynda, and for sharing your story. It sounds like a true retirement success story. Congratulations.
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Melynda, thanks for the feature. I know others whose retirements look like yours and I marvel at their forsight and flexibility. I had worked part-time much of my career, so I always had time to do other things. And I’m glad you mentioned one important key: money. I’ve also know people who kept working because they couldn’t afford not to.
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The opening definition of retirement sets up the question of what comes next. Naming perspective, encouragement and service gives that question practical substance. It also leaves room to think about contribution beyond a job title.
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I agree. One’s contribution is so much more than a title can express.
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His episodes are so good. I was lucky to be married to Mike who was bound and determined to retire young-ish with enough money to live the same lifestyle. And, we were able to do that because of his determination. I loved being retired a lot when my grands were little. Two of them (and their mama) lived with us when their dad was deployed. Since I was retired, I was able to spend so much time with them. Now, as a docent, I feel like I’ve entered another “quarter” of my life. I think I love it so much because it scratches my teacher itch! Thanks for the podcast links, Dr. Aletha!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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Marsha, thanks for sharing your retirement success story. Younger readers, take note!
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