Hance Dilbeck said in 2023, GuideStone’s research showed that 76% of the ministers they serve say they wish they had started planning for their retirement earlier.
“The median age is 41,” Dilbeck, GuideStone’s president and CEO, said during his report to the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting June 12. “Starting earlier will always put you in a better position.”
He encouraged young pastors to start well so that they could stay well and finish well.
“In research, we found that 80% of ministers report that they’ve sacrificed their own well being because of their calling in ministry, and one third of them say they’ve sacrificed their financial wellness,” Dilbeck said.
To help, GuideStone has launched a Retirement Readiness Assessment that can be found on the organization’s website, guidestone.org.
“Also remember we have financial advisors to help you determine how to manage your own personal finances,” Dilbeck said. “We want to see every servant of Christ finish well.”
He also reported that in 2023, GuideStone distributed more than half a billion dollars in medical claims and life, disability and survivor benefits and distributed more than $1.1 billion in retirement funding through members’ retirement accounts, annuities, IRAs and other investments.
“We are honored to have this kind of impact on the financial security of our members, and we believe at the depth of our being that this level of financial support is helping thousands of ministers stay in the work, persevering under adversity to faithfully fulfill their calling until the Lord Jesus calls their race complete,” Dilbeck said.
Mission:Dignity
He said the number “dearest to our hearts” is the $12.2 million given through Mission:Dignity to retired ministers, spouses and widows living in poverty.
In 2023, they helped 2,908 retired ministers and widows, Dilbeck said. “We were able to help so many because so many of you are faithful and generous in your support, and I want to say thank you.”
Mission:Dignity Sunday will be observed in churches June 23.
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