They Retire Race Horses Don't They? What Could The Worldwide Church of God Possibly Learn from That

This is one of those rare occasions where theand again being told, "don't worry, we will take
irony of something compels me to just write tocare of all you fine ministers." Hmmm, I wish I
process my own experience as a pastor nowhad researched the meaning of "take care of" as
having moved on. The irony of life sometimes isthe Church and it's legal department understood
overwhelming at times.Today coming into work atthe term. Well actually I do feel taken care of, but
the local hospital on Kentucky Derby Day, I heardnot in the way I had envisioned by the phrase at
a wonderful story of a man who spent yearsthe time. I later learned that meant, "loyal
betting on horses, now taking up the cause ofministers," which of course, I was not. I have
horses that no longer could run and provide greatbeen assured that I would have been fired in time
revenues for their owners. He had learned of oneanyway over any number of life issues and
great race horse that, after the useful days hadwouldn't have deserved it anyway. I managed to
passed, had been shipped and processed as foodoutgrow the small box most fundamentalist and
in Japan! Finding this to be absolutely unacceptable,evangelical Christians stay in theologically, and also
he started retirement farms for former racemishandled, at times, the stress put upon the
horses to make their last days more kind and toministry by that organization through the years
save them from the overseas food market. Iwith their own way of being.I take responsibility
guess the idea of Secretariat Steaks was toofor my life and I wish they took responsibility for
much. Wow! I wish I had been a race horsetheir and how it has affected mine. I guess that
instead of a Pastor with the Worldwide Church ofcan be said all around on lots of topics. I truly
God! This kind man even had 16 horses alreadybelieve that my dad, who has been retired now
shipped to the rendering plant in Japan returned tofrom Eastman Kodak for 28 years, yes he's 90,
the States and put on his retirement farms to livewould not have been thrown off Kodak
happily ever after for services rendered.When Iretirement if he had dared to buy Fuji film. Not so
was 22 years old and heading out into thewith the Worldwide Church of God and the effect
ministry to my first Church assignment, I wastheir irresponsible change has had on their
handed a paper to sign by the Personnelperspectives. If there ever was an organization
Department. It was a release from paying socialthat could say "be warmed and be filled, but gives
security on my pastoral paycheck. I was youngnot of that which is needed," it would be WCG.In
and since the organization, then known as thereality, the great Jesus sent changes are merely
Worldwide Church of God said not to bereckless change inflicted upon very sincere. loyal,
concerned and that "we will take care of you," Ihope filled, and faith-full members and ministers
signed it. Churches can do that with income theyalike. It's a case of horse owners who didn't like
provide for Pastors. It is a savings to them asthe track, tearing it down without asking the fans,
well I am sure. Like I say, I was 22 and thoughtsending the race horses off to the grinder, at a
that since God had called me to pastor and feedpersonal profit to themselves, selling the grounds,
the sheep, so to speak, "we will take care ofswitching over to NASCAR, and then wondering
you" actually meant, well, we will take care ofwhy that may not have gone over too well. One
you, feed my sheep.How ironic that mywould think it would have been them that the
experience as a Pastor, who "inspired" the givingboard of horse racing might demand to move out
by tithers in 5 states and 13 congregations overand on, instead of destroying that particular kind
26 years in excess of 50 million dollars receivesof racing. Interesting the harm that not speaking
not so much as a bag of oats! Race horses areup can do in our world. I hope the Republicans are
saved from being ground up as food for serviceslistening too. I have said elsewhere, I came in my
rendered to their owners and put in horse heavenyouth to play hockey and they melted the ice
on earth for their years of service. On the otherhalfway through the game, put up hoops and
hand, most former ministers of the Worldwidedemanded I now play and coach basketball. Oh
Church of God, (long story), are sent to Japan towell, I guess that analogy is a horse of a different
be rendered for their years of service! One hascolor.Well,I feel better, I think. I am happy for the
to love God's sense of humor! Not only did WCGhorses that get to avoid being rendered in Japan
not provide for basic pastoral social securityfor their years of services to their owners. I
considerations, because they didn't have to, butregret being one of the ones that gets rendered
also gave no church sponsored retirement forfor years of service by the Church.What a nice
those with decades of service unless they wereguy to find a way to make the lives of hard
"loyal" to all the malarky they came up with as "aworking horses a bit easier. They do retire races
miracle from Jesus."I remember well into myhorses after all! Sorry to say, the Worldwide
ministry at a minister's conference in Pasadena,Church of God still just shoots and renders them
asking about retirement issues for the ministryfor years of service.