In 1994 the New Jersey Synod began a period of significant retirements. Over a four-year span some twenty-six Synod parish pastors would be moving toward retirement. In the face of such a significant period of transition in our life together, I invited these twenty-six pastors to join me for dinner along with their spouses so that we might discuss what was to take place, share experiences and concerns, and work together for the sake of the mission of the church on this territory. Twenty-two of the pastors were able to be present. What follows is the information that I presented then. I present it now to all of the pastors on our Synod roster as a way to share my expectations of us in this regard, as we continue through these transition years.