Pastor Emeritus

Definition and Meaning

Pastor emeritus (Korean wollo moksa, 元老牧師) is an honorary title that a church confers on a pastor who has served that congregation for many years, in recognition of that service, upon the pastor's retirement. The Korean term wollo refers to a senior figure with long experience and distinguished service. Because a pastor emeritus is no longer the senior pastor, he or she generally holds no authority of church government (chirigwon). Along with the title, a church may also provide a living allowance or other benefits to support the pastor in retirement.

Biblical and Historical Background

The Bible does not name an office called "pastor emeritus." Many churches, however, cite 1 Timothy 5:17, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour," as a basis for honoring those who have served.

The practice is generally understood to have become established as Korean denominations formalized their respective church constitutions. Its purpose is to safeguard the dignity and livelihood of retired ministers. In the same spirit, some churches also designate a long-serving elder as an elder emeritus.

Practice in Korean Churches

Presbyterian Churches

The constitutions of the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap) and the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong) generally set the following requirements for a pastor emeritus:

• The pastor must be retiring after serving the same church for at least 20 years.
• The church must approve the designation by resolution of its congregational meeting.
• The designation must be approved by the presbytery.

The Hapdong constitution further stipulates that the church is to determine the pastor's living allowance at that time. Because many Presbyterian denominations set the mandatory retirement age for pastors at 70, whether to designate a pastor emeritus is typically discussed at the time of retirement. Some Presbyterian constitutions also provide for the title of "pastor of merit" (gongno moksa), which is conferred by the presbytery rather than by the local church. The specific requirements of other Presbyterian denominations are set by their respective constitutions.

Methodist and Holiness Churches

The Korean Methodist Church and the Holiness denominations also include provisions for a pastor emeritus in their church law. The required years of service and the procedures for designation vary according to each denomination's regulations.

Baptist and Other Congregational Denominations

In denominations that emphasize the autonomy of the local church, such as the Baptists, the designation and support of a pastor emeritus are often left to each church's church bylaws and the decision of the congregation.

Points of Contention

The level of support provided to a pastor emeritus (a living allowance, a residence, a farewell payment, and the like) and the relationship between the pastor emeritus and the succeeding pastor can become sources of conflict within a church. Cases in which a child of the pastor emeritus becomes the successor are linked to the debate over hereditary succession in churches. On the other hand, some view the pastor emeritus system as a means of honoring long years of devoted service and of ensuring stable pastoral succession.