Launched at the FIEC’s annual gathering at Caister in 1998, the Pastors’ Association has grown rapidly to its current membership of more than 350.

It is a body committed to upholding biblical standards in church and ministry. Members have the benefit of an accreditation which has significance and value because of the high standards maintained by the Association in connection with admission, discipline and pastoral care.

Among its activities it supports and cares for serving pastors, encourages training for young men entering the pastoral ministry and acts as a link for pastors seeking a church and for churches seeking a pastor. It provides forums where issues of special concern can be addressed and help given and received.

There are four categories of membership. Serving ministers are men in pastoral charge who have served for at least three years. Itinerant ministers are men who have served in pastoral charge for at least three years and are now available to preach in churches. Retired ministers are men who wish to continue their association, but are no longer in full-time pastoral charge. Probationer ministers are men in pastoral charge with less than three years’ service. Trainee or prospective ministers may apply for associate membership.

The activities of the Pastors’ Association are managed by the Pastoral Link Team, which is made up of Association members, some of whom are appointed by the FIEC Council and some elected by Association members.

It is important that churches see the importance of helping their pastor and his wife to prepare for one of the biggest lifestyle changes they will ever have to face. It’s called retirement. For some, retirement cannot come soon enough; for many more, it looms like a very unwelcome end of the road.

Once again, FIEC is joining forces with the Association of Grace Baptist Churches (South East) to provide a pre-retirement conference at High Leigh Conference Centre in Hoddesdon, Herts. This event will take place on Monday 19 April 2010. The aim is to provide pastors, their wives and church officers with a framework for thinking about this important stage in life’s journey.

It is hoped that churches would consider paying for their pastor, his wife and a member of the leadership team to experience this important event together. A copy of the brochure can be downloaded here.