Distinctively Christian Retirement
A Biblical call to serve Jesus well in older age
by Simon van Bruchem
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Nov 01 2022 | Archive Date Nov 17 2023
Talking about this book? Use #DistinctivelyChristianRetirement #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
Most of us simply assume that we have a right to retire from work and spend the rest of our lives doing whatever we want. While the idea of a long holiday sounds wonderful, this is not the whole truth. Retirement is a relatively new concept in world history and often brings relationship challenges, health problems, and crises of purpose and motivation. It is often not the paradise we have been promised.
God's word never encourages us to take an extended holiday towards the end of our lives; while the concept of retirement is not found in the Bible, God's word remains very helpful for us as we prepare for our later years. God speaks to us through his Word about important issues like purpose, death and identity that make sense of the struggles many retirees face. The book of Ecclesiastes is a particularly rich source of wisdom for us as we consider the best way to live out our lives in God's world.
This book aims to give Christians a Biblical vision for how our later years might be used to serve Jesus.
Advance Praise
"With the wisdom of the Bible and the love of an astute and observant pastor, Simon has given us a timely gift regarding the much longed for or equally forbidden, R word. Retirement can see dreams of freedom dashed into nightmares of boredom. But by thoughtfully reflecting on retirement, he helpfully shows how, approached under God it can bring freedom through service.
As an active and reluctant retiree of 5 years I found encouragement as Scriptural reminders of our worth in Christ and God's design of us for freedom in service rather than self-indulgence, a tonic.
The challenges of the book come from an experienced and loving pastor, whose intent to help his readers catch, or re-discover, the joys of trusting and serving Christ clearly shines through. We are not being got at, but lovingly reminded, in very practical ways, that there is real life to be enjoyed in retirement.
Simon's book will be of great value to workers, their families, those approaching and already retired. With expectations vital to any life change, the encouragement to godly and realistic expectations is a great boon. Saving us from unhealthy cul-de-sacs by opening up new vistas for the last lap, is a gift worthy of personal reading and small group attention.
I am very happy to commend Simon's book and thank him for the work he has put in to helping us in this very practical way.
Rt. Rev Dr Peter Brain
Simon challenges us to rethink about the time God has given us on earth, and how we look at retirement against that backdrop. Is retirement from gainful employment really our time to relax, or an opportunity to serve God with that extra time He has given us? A most important discussion.
Rev Dr Stephen Rarig
A pastor in Perth (Simon van Bruchem) has written a very thoughtful book on retirement called ""Distinctively Christian Retirement"".
Because he is a pastor, he regularly sees how people think about their future and how they may plan in all the best and worst ways. And he's written this helpful book because every Christian of every age should be thinking of the way they can serve Jesus Christ right to the end. Of course we should! And it is a tonic for all ages with plenty of insights along the way.
The author challenges our foolishness in places - for example, will we really be remembered in one hundred years' time? And will we know or care? So why seek to be famous or try to leave an empty legacy? And he comforts our fears in other places, pointing out how powerful our witness can be in normal contacts and how impactful despite our sufferings. He also reminds us that we are stewards and not owners so let us use what we have with eternity in view.
This is a good book to teach the wonder of Jesus and salvation, to inspire a long and keen race for Jesus and to establish the real retirement that believers will have with Jesus.
Simon Manchester
Retired Rector of St Thomas, North Sydney"
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9780648993445 |
| PRICE | $4.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 178 |
Links
Featured Reviews
Marylou L, Reviewer
This book challenges our cultural view that retirement should be a continual vacation. Instead the author, Simon van Bruchem, challenges us to see it as a new season in which to glorify God. Drawing heavily on the Bible, especially the book of Ecclesiastes, he makes the case that all of our life is an opportunity to serve God in some way.
A Christian should look different in retirement as in the rest of life. We have a purpose, an identity, and hope in God. We have a family in our local church. We have an eternal value in the eyes of God. "Old age is a blessing and not a curse," he says. "Living for Jesus instead of filling our idle time with whatever grabs our fancy will mean a fuller and more contented life, a life full of joy."
I enjoyed this book and found it very helpful. It affirmed my own belief that we never retire from serving God. The ways in which we do so will alter as we age. But we always have some way we can serve.
It also reminds us of the importance of intergenerational interaction - we all have something to offer each other. Older people have wisdom and experience while young people have energy and strength. We all benefit from one another.
DR P, Reviewer
This is a real gem of a book, packed with wisdom – in palatable portions.
I learnt a lot from this book!
Retirement is not a right.
Retirement is not Biblical.
Retirement is a relatively recent concept (I had not associated it with Bismarck...)
A timely reminder that we are “answerable to God” for the time He has gifted us; and I appreciated that the chronically ill/disabled were included.
The importance of the “mingling of age groups” within the Church was also addressed.
Easily read in one sitting, this is a book to be re-read & re-read, as we digest the content. (There are so many things I want to underline, that I will have to get a print copy!)
I could easily have filled this review with quotes from the book – it’s that good! - but instead, may I strongly suggest that you read it for yourself. Packed with sound information, written in a clear & very easy-to-read style, it is never remotely ‘preachy’. It is full of Biblical truths, clearly presented & relevant whether or not we have reached retirement age.
As well as being personally challenging for readers, I can see this book being prime for discussion in groups.
At the very least, every church library should have a copy – no, make that several!
Readers who liked this book also liked:
