District presidents: "A bad situation exists when a pastor retires but stays in the congregation where he served, and then continues to interfere in the ministry of his successor...Some retired pastors do what they should not--conduct funerals, weddings, etc. without the permission of the pastor or the congregation affected...Some retirees keep their nose in the business of their last parish...Some retirees meddle in the parish and undercut...the pastor of the congregation (where they last held membership)."

            Kurt Brink, Overcoming Pastoral Pitfalls, Albuquerque: 1992, p. 125.

 

"But one thing no retired pastor who loves the Lord and his brother pastors will do IS INTERFERE IN THEIR MINISTRY! The retiree must 'let go' altogether of any and all interference in the parish from which he retired; failing or refusing to do this may result in resentment, disunity and bad feelings which can seriously disrupt the progress of a congregation."

            Kurt Brink, Overcoming Pastoral Pitfalls, Albuquerque: 1992, p. 126

 

"Here are examples, in some cases already alluded to by District Presidents: 1. Performing weddings, funerals and baptism without first consulting his successor or the pastor of the congregation; 2. Still striving to retain a leadership role in the congregation from which he retired. RX: The retiree is essentially and actually a lay member and must not serve in any pastoral role unless he is requested or directed so to do; 3. Giving counsel or advice to his successor, or the pastor where he is a member in retirement. RX: If the latter wants or seeks counsel or help, let him ask for it. 4. Giving comfort or support to malcontents who are not satisfied with the present pastor. RX: Be courteous and advise the dissatisfied individuals that you are not the pastor and that they need to bring their concerns to the shepherd of the flock."

            Kurt Brink, Overcoming Pastoral Pitfalls, Albuquerque: 1992, p. 126.