This was the first year the denomination has formally given the recognition. Plaques were presented to clergy in attendance.
By tradition, men and women in vocational ministry who are moving into retirement have been honored during the annual meeting of the conference in which they reside.
The Department of the Ordered Ministry decided to give the recognition at the denominational level as well, because many ministers retire from conferences in which they did not spend the majority of their ministry years.
Because it is the denomination that calls, credentials and sends men and women into vocational ministry to serve the larger church, the department thought it appropriate that the community of pastors and congregations join together during the denomination’s annual meeting to pay tribute to the lifetimes of faithful service and godly obedience of those whom the denomination has called.
Additionally, with so many ministers and missionaries continuing to serve rather than retiring from ministry, Ordered Ministry decided to honor the clergy when they reach age 65.
Click here to read the list of names of the pastors who were honored this year.
Editor’s note: The top photo shows one of the clergy recipients, Dr. Willie Peterson, who is representative of all of the clergy recognized today, all deeply moved by this special denominational recognition of their lifetimes of faithful service.