After mission work comes retirement : a phenomenological study on the forced retirement of elderly clergymen in church missions in Nigeria

Abstract

This study aims to examine the experiences of aged clergy in Nigerian Christian churches. There are several studies on clergy retirement; however, a study that examines the experiences of older clergy in Nigeria and the impacts of forced retirement on aged clergy in Nigeria is scarce. This is a qualitative method using a phenomenological approach. The data was collected using key informant interviews (KII) and relevant academic literature. The 20 participants were in the age range of 71–85 years. The age bracket was chosen because most of the clergy are forced to retire after 70 years. The participants were recruited through a purposive sampling method. The data was analysed using the Colaizzi method. Emerging themes include i) experiences of aged clergy in Nigeria and ii) implications for church leadership, pastoral care, and institutional sustainability. The forced retirement of old clergy in Nigeria has an impact on the church and the retiree. The problem is that the secular is being brought into the spiritual. There is a need for various churches to review their policy on retirement, such as not relegating the spiritual benefits that the aged bring to church development.