This week we welcome Jim Thomas, the recently retired Pension Administrator of the CGGC Pension Plan. On Monday, July 25th, the Board of Pensions gathered in Findlay to celebrate Jim’s retirement. He’s served as the Administrator since 1998 and previously served on the board, for a total of 39 years of service to the Board of Pensions. On Tuesday morning during General Conference Sessions, the Board of Pensions recognized Jim for his years of service.
Jim is a dear friend and I’m so grateful for his good work over the years. He will be missed! When I read his remarks, I felt strongly compelled to share them with the larger body. The following are Jim’s remarks given to the Board of Pensions during the gathering on Monday the 25th.
Christ’s Peace,
Lance
This is at least my fourth retirement party. At the previous parties, nobody asked me to say anything, so I didn’t. This morning it is going to be different. To paraphrase Lesley Gore – It’s my party and I’ll talk if I want to.
I have titled these notes My Calling. It is something I’ve thought about since at least 1995. It is a story I’d like to tell once in my lifetime. And other than the people in this room I don’t think there are many who would be willing to listen. And I know there isn’t another group I really want to tell.
It all started in the late ‘70s, in a Sunday School class that met on the stage of fellowship hall at College First. The class was taught by Dave and Linda Draper. So, naturally there was a constant flow of seminary students in the class. They would tell stories of selling all their possessions and moving to Findlay. One told a story of standing in a box store praying over the decision to spend money to buy a t-shirt. It struck me how much these people were sacrificing to get their education so they could answer their call.
The next thing that happened is Darrell Prichard asked me to help with his income taxes. This led to two discoveries. First, clergy taxes were different. Second, pastors did not get paid like the Marathon Oil and Cooper Tire execs that I did tax returns for. In other words, after the sacrifice of getting through the education, the sacrifice continued into the working years.
A couple of years later in late 1982, Darrell asked me to attend a meeting of the Pension Board in Dayton the next February. Naively I said yes. When I walked into the conference room filled with men with black suits and gray hair, I thought what am I doing here? I was wearing my only suit – brown polyester. I was 28 years old. What was I doing there?
I digress – but it’s my party.
The next thing Darrell got me into was traveling around the denomination with Bob Stephenson doing seminars. Bob would speak to the church treasurers about payroll reporting, and I would speak about clergy income taxes. The questions asked reminded me again of the financial sacrifices.
After one of the seminars, Bob and I were “paid” with a trip to a Pittsburgh Penguins game. I got to see Mario Lemieux score a goal. When Bob and I were in Fort Scott, Kansas, the questions ran long, and we had to rush back to the airport. Months later I heard Bob tell someone he didn’t mind me driving 95mph … until I set the cruise control.
Again, I digress. But it’s my party.
Fast forward to 1995. I was managing partner of a CPA firm. I had three partners and we had three offices. A business journal did a survey of CPA firms on the I75 corridor. I learned that I was managing the largest firm from south of Perrysburg to north of Dayton. My time spent with clients had dropped from 80% to 30%. I didn’t like it, so I blew it all up and ended up with the Findlay office.
With all my extra time I thought I could get to the important things in life. That fall I started classes at Winebrenner Seminary. I jumped in with both feet, loving everything I was learning. Meanwhile, back at the office, revival was breaking out in the conference room. I was spending more time sharing and praying with clients than I was talking about taxes. It didn’t take long to figure out that I couldn’t raise a family, go to school, and run a CPA firm. And I realized that my calling was not to full time ministry. So, after two weeks, I dropped out of seminary – for the first time.
Three years later, Darrell asked me to be the Pension Administrator.
During my first months in the job, I helped my first pastor move into retirement. He was going to buy a house trailer and put it on a lot on the side of a mountain. Knowing what his retirement income was, I thought how was he going to pay for the utilities for a house trailer in the winter. How was he going to be able to get up his drive? The sacrifice that started with his education and continued into his work years continued through retirement. While I had a heart for pastors up to this point, this is where it became a passion.
The role of Darrell in my story is now complete. But I am not done with the Prichards yet. I have a clear memory of being in the Pension office shortly after Kim Greer told me that she would be leaving to be a stay at home mom. I was discussing this with Darrell and Alberta. Alberta said I have a friend at the Ohio Bank who wants to leave. She might be good for the job.
Turns out Darlene Mattox was good for the job. If not for Darlene, we would have been celebrating my retirement a lot earlier. She gave me the freedom and flexibility to get this part time job done while dealing with the rest of life. The thing I appreciate the most about Darlene is the wisdom she uses in deciding when to act and when to ask. And over the years she has been able to do a lot more acting as she watched, listened, and learned. I’ve said many times that Darlene does all the work and I get all the glory.
Early in my years as the owner of a CPA firm I learned that it was not a good idea to become friends with the staff. Because of my trust in Darlene, she has become a friend. We’ve shared together as our mothers aged, as our kids got married and when our grandkids were born. And as kids move overseas.
This time I am not digressing. I can’t tell this story without recognizing Darlene.
Meanwhile, outside of pensions, I continually found myself in situations where I was coming alongside pastors in some way. I was an accountability partner with several pastors. I spent time with many at Walk to Emmaus weekends where the pastors had a chance to be regular guys and could be refreshed.
During those times I felt I was being called to something. I started seminary, then dropped out – twice. I finally realized that my calling was to walk beside Christian leaders and support them in any way I could. That was and is my calling. And it is a humbling calling, to walk with those who sacrifice so much to serve our Lord.
After I knew what my calling was, I went on to work at two seminaries – at the same time. I continue to work as Director of Finance for The Brethren Church. Yes, those all were paid positions. But to me this was about calling, of using the skills I learned in the secular world to help the leaders do their jobs effectively. And apparently, I am not done yet. We moved to Minnesota, and I am now helping our pastor there draft letters to the IRS and tax court.
Coming back to Pensions, when I look quickly back over 39 years the things that jump out are the zero return in 1983 that caused members to withdraw in droves, and the grumbling of members that led to the plan being rewritten in 2002. Then there was the burst of the tech bubble and the market crash in 2007 that led to the underfunding and freezing of the Reserve Fund. Isn’t that how we look at life, seeing the negatives? When we study history, we talk about the wars not about the times of peace. But there have been many many victories over the years. From the plan perspective they might be little victories, but from the member’s perspective they are huge. Just one example that occurred more than once - a retiring pastor getting so excited about buying a home for the first time. What a joy for me!
While I know that there is a risk to pride, I am proud of this plan. From the earliest Board members and staff to those of us in this room, including the Merrill Lynch team, we have done good work. It has been a privilege and blessing to be able to serve those who serve. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity and giving me your support over the years.
It is still my party – but I’m done talking.
CGGC eNews—Vol. 16, No. 31
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