ABSTRACT

I have been devoting significant time in anticipation of the logistics of my retirement but really haven’t been focused on me-the inner me, that is. I was drawn into a life of religious service in part due to a desire to be closer to God and do holy work. After a long career as minister of several churches, I now appreciate how naïve I was during my years in the seminary. The reality was that much more of my work was relatively mundane and organizational than involved in spiritual engagement with my congregants, let alone myself. I found it hard to really pray while leading services and rarely made sufficient time for self-reflection. My spiritually, I regret, has

stagnated. In retirement, I plan to rededicate myself to my spiritual search; but after so many years, will I be able to?