The Pension Boards journeys with the Rev. Terri Akkerman on her ministry career and how she balanced life, health, finances, and ministry, providing tips for younger ministers.
As a farmer’s wife and a mother of two small children, there were a lot of "other things to do" in my week. What helped was that my husband was very supportive of my call. Working part-time was beneficial, as well as living 30 miles away from the community. The congregation was very understanding and they didn't expect me to be on call for every little thing.
Some healthy practices that supported me were a daily discipline of prayer, scripture reading, and 20 minutes of meditation. Exercise was also important to me. I attended Jazzercize classes twice a week.
“…it saddens me that being a pastor today is viewed as a job and is seldom seen as a calling…”
What surprised me was that people listened to what I had to say in my sermons and really took my messages to heart. Today, it impresses me that pastors have so much information and are so talented and well-versed in addressing social issues.
Unfortunately, it saddens me that being a pastor today is viewed as a job and is seldom seen as a calling by both the pastor and the congregation. Being assured that God wanted me at that particular time and place was a great help to me.
The churches’ finances and mine clashed at every place of call. At my first call, our Conference Minister met with the church board and helped me get a "reasonable" salary and mileage. On my own, I probably would have ended up paying for those expenses.
At the second church I pastored, the Associate Conference Minister helped the church set the salary before I was even considered. So, during my face-to-face meeting with the Call Committee, they had a printed call agreement with salary and benefits listed, which followed Conference guidelines. When I returned to the congregation and led worship, the board attempted to alter a few things. But having a document in hand from the Call Committee helped me to say, "No, this is what was shown to me." We were able to make a small compromise concerning vacation Sundays. I also got very few raises. But, I had to move to a larger congregation for raises and stand my ground. It really helped to have one or two people of the congregation stand by me.
“Looking back, if I had started financial counseling while in seminary I would have been more fiscally prepared.”
I am so glad that the churches I was connected to understood that paying into the pastor's pension was beneficial. Also, I didn't control the fund. I understood basic finances, and was sure never to spend more than I had. But other than that, I wasn't smart about investments, and I didn't have much money to invest. I also didn't have a savings account until after both of my kids were out of high school. I was in a larger church then, and my husband had a well-paying job. We also had a farm that was a financial burden for many years. But, by the time we retired most of our loans were paid off, prices were up, and it actually became a financial benefit. Looking back, if I had started financial counseling while in seminary I would have been more fiscally prepared.
I retired at the end of 2010. I was almost 62 years of age, and I was having health issues. I started receiving Social Security benefits right away, but I waited to annuitize my pension until I was 65.
We live very simply. We spend our winters in Texas, and we stay with our kids. We travel a little and read a lot. Our farm home is open to a variety of people—family, friends passing through, hunters, and anyone who needs a bed for a short time.
I only preach two or three times a year now. I became an Annuitant Visitor for the Pension Boards in 2016, when I was 67. I enjoy visiting the annuitants (now retired ministers who served the UCC), many of whom I knew early in my ministry. We joined Brookings United Church of Christ in South Dakota because it is very socially active church, despite it being 50 miles away. In the winter, we are blessed to be a part of Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas. Finding communities that share our ideals and social concerns has not been easy. My prayer every day is, "God, help me to let your light shine through me to those in darkness." Our family and friends bring meaning, as well as being able to help people who are in need. I'm thankful the United Church of Christ is active throughout the world.
Follow the teachings of Jesus, and find good role models who follow the teachings of Jesus. Love God, your neighbors, yourself, your family, your friends, and your enemies! Never make unkind remarks about others. Seek financial advice from the Pension Boards, and start saving for retirement right away, even if it’s in small amounts.
