How to Retire from Ministry

By Donna S. Thomas

We can change, we can even retire, but we can never retire from our calling. With these words and a grand collection of compelling stories from the lives of disciples since Jesus time on earth up to the present, in this small book, Donna Thomas helps us see what it means to be called to ministry for a lifetime.

Donna Thomas practices what she preaches. If anyone could give a valid argument for retiring from ministry, it would be her. She has pastored, founded a missions agency, written extensively, and equipped leaders around the world. But in her late 80s, Donna is like the Energizer bunny: she just keeps going! For those who have wondered if their time to minister has faded into the sunset, take encouragement from this book that you are not done. Generations after you need your wisdom, experience, and love to continue to fulfill the Great Commission to which God has called each of his followers. While we may slow down in this life as we age, well have all of eternity to rest on the other side. Ron Stohler, pastor, adult ministries, Grace Church, Noblesville, Indiana

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inspiring Voices
• Release date: May 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781462411269

Donna S. Thomas

Donna Thomas, author, speaker, and consultant, knows what it is like to accept change in ministry. Following the leadings of the Lord, she has served him in seventy-five countries and now, as a new resident in Arizona, is in the process of discovering how the Lord can use her best in this location.

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 Donna Thomas.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.

Editorial by Karen Roberts, RQuest, LLC

Inspiring Voices

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.inspiringvoices.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4624-1125-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4624-1126-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015906779

Inspiring Voices rev. date: 05/11/2015

CONTENTS

Preface Preface: A New Beginning

1 What Is Ministry?

2 Why Retire And When?

3 What Are The Options?

4 New Adventures, Under His Orders

5 Strengthening Your Legacy

6 Beloved Of God

YOU

CAN’T !

Wait a minute!

Before you put

this book down,

let me clarify.

GOD

Still Has

Special Plans

For You !

You Are His

Beloved

Other books by Donna S. Thomas

Climb Another Mountain, Warner Press, 2000

Through the Eyes of Christ: A Short-Term Missions Journal, 2001

Becoming a World Changing Family: Fun & Innovative Ways to Spread the Good News, Baker Books, 2003; YWAM Publishing, 2008

Faces in the Crowd: Reaching Your International Neighbor for Christ, New Hope Publishers, 2008

The Why not? Factor: Chuck Thomas, Trailblazer, MACU Press, 2010

Hope for Today and Tomorrow: My Husband Is Gone. What Do I Do Now? CreateSpace, 2013

PREFACE

PREFACE: A NEW BEGINNING

Dear Friend,

I want to help you look at your ministry, your work, and