At the Crossroads: Leadership Lessons for the Second Half of Life

Retirement can be the most purpose-filled, satisfying, fun phase of your life!

Thousands of men and women are retiring each day, and many look forward to this phase of life with equal parts excitement and anxiety. Baby boomers have high expectations of retirement: they want to be redeployed to a life that is meaningful, significant, and full of joy. But this requires thoughtful planning, and many soon-to-be retirees wonder how they’ll get there, or if they’re even on the right path.

At the Crossroads, by Clayton Smith and Dave Wilson, is a six-week Bible-based study offering comprehensive, practical help for Christians who are approaching, entering, or already in retirement. Readers can work through the book on their own or as part of a group.

The book guides readers through a study and reflection process to discover their purpose, passion, and mission for retirement. It includes self-assessments and other planning tools to help readers develop a personal and spiritual mission statement. The book also facilitates discussions with family and friends about shared priorities, expectations, and end-of-life decisions, bringing a sense of peace for all involved. Finally, the book includes a chapter on financial planning, with a focus on the reader’s legacy, for an impact that will last through generations.

“Most churches do too little to reach people who are nearing or entering retirement. Case in point: the baby boomer generation, which is slipping away from the church. At the Crossroads is a gift for people in this group—and for church leaders seeking to nurture them. It offers a way for retirees to reclaim God’s purpose for their lives and to serve as never before. This is powerful for the individual and for the church! Pastors should use this as the basis for preretirement classes. It is a comprehensive study in service, community, stewardship, life purpose, and spirituality.”
—William B. Randolph, Director, Aging and Older Adult Ministries, Discipleship Ministries (UMC)

"For Boomers who are ready to take a serious look at their future, At The Crossroads is an excellent place to start. Perfect for small groups and individuals who are ready to engage in six critical discussions, participants will be guided to discover their purpose as they move into the second half of life." - Rev. Dr. Craig Kennet Miller, author of Boomer Spirituality: Seven Values for the Second Half of Life and Director of Congregational Development at Discipleship Ministries with the United Methodist Church.

"A useful tool for a community of Boomers looking to build and grow an enriching fellowship for the body, mind and spirit. We are excited to use this study ...!" -- Tiwana Whitten, First United Methodist Church, Topeka KS.

"At the Crossroads is a creative six week bible-based study that will help those of us over 55 to prepare for, transition into or live out our retirement years in more exciting and productive ways. I thank Clayton Smith and Dave Wilson for sharing from their experiences as an executive pastor and lay leader at Church of the Resurrection in a resource that will help us move from senior adult programs that mainly focus on “entertainment and travel” to instead preparing and motivating seniors to use their many gifts and graces in their church and community. I especially appreciate the book being grounded in biblical practices while using business-like methods that will be familiar to recent retirees. The “tools” included and available “on-line” help develop an inventory that will be used as building blocks for establishing a personal Mission/Purpose Statement and Strategic Plan. The many “God Stories” in personal interviews and the Chapter that focuses on “Caring Conversations” with family and friends make this book special in accomplishing a bridge to the many current “Boomers” who think of retirement as a “career shift” not as a traditional approach to retirement." -- Paul R. Ervin, Jr., Director of Generous Living, Long’s Chapel UMC, Lake Junaluska, NC

Clayton L. Smith, now retired, served as the Executive Pastor of Stewardship and Generosity at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. He served as a Senior Pastor in the United Methodist Church for more than 25 years and an Ordained Elder for more than 40 years. He and his wife, Lori, live in Stilwell, Kansas.

Dave Wilson is a lay member of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan. He recently retired as sales manager in the floor covering manufacturing industry and was with Tarkett NA the last 22 years his career.

He serves as a Congregational Care Minister at Resurrection and has taught all levels of the Disciple Bible Studies. He is a lay leader in the Crossroads ministry and conducts discipleship, spiritual growth and education classes.

He was involved in leadership of Bible Study Fellowship in Kansas City for 22 years as a discussion leader and for 11 years was the Substitute Teaching Leader.