May 6, 2004 

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

PITTSBURGH (UMNS) — Measures that would have eliminated mandatory retirement of clergy, general agency staff and bishops were rejected by the 2004 United Methodist General Conference on May 4.

Several petitions sought to change or eliminate the mandatory age of 70 for retirement.

When proposing some of the resolutions reviewed by the conference, the United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries called the forced retirement rule “antiquated and ageist.”

“God does not take away God’s blessing, including opportunity to serve in full capacity, simply because someone has reached the age of 70 years or older,” the resolutions by the committee stated.

*Gilbert is a staff writer for the United Methodist News Service

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