This Sunday, October 28, 2018 is Retired Ministers and Widows Appreciation Day in the Church of God.
Every year congregations around the globe set aside a time to recognize and honor the men and women who have blazed the trail of ministry for the current generation. Local congregations are encouraged to receive a special offering which will go directly to supporting this group of pioneers, many of whom sacrificed financial stability to support the local church. In their days, money was rarely available for contributing to a retirement fund, and because income was limited, their Social Security check is now small.
Church of God General Overseer Tim Hill recently released a special video message to pastors encouraging them to take the time to honor the retirees with this love offering. According to Hill, 25% of the total offering received goes into a special emergency fund for the needs of retired ministers and widows. The final 75% goes directly as a love gift in the form of a Christmas love offering.
Hill refers to retired ministers and widows as the ‘Caleb Generation,’ much like he labels the younger ministers as the Jeremiah Generation.
“Today there are more than 1,000 retired ministers and widows in the Church of God and I love every one of them,” Hill stated. “I hope every church will join in this effort to honor the Caleb Generation. They are depending on us, and really, I am depending on them. I believe they have a work they want to do, can do, and will do for the Lord Jesus Christ to help us FINISH the Great Commission.”
“They served the Lord with commitment—untiringly, faithfully, not preoccupied with the future,” Hill continued. “Now, as they are writing the last chapters of their lives, they deserve to experience our appreciation and compassion. Remember them. Think of all the good that has come from their lives. Please, give generously.”
Ways to give to the effort are through a local church offering. Individual gifts can be mailed to Church of God International Offices, P. O. Box 2430, Cleveland, TN 37320, marked as Retired Ministers and Widows Offering. Online donations can be made at the link www.cogfinish.com/donate.