Most of all, I would like to have been able to say, “Thank you.”

thank you

by D. Ray Lewis

On Thursday, July 30, 2009, a memorial service was held to honor the life of Lora Shutes. I’m grateful I had the privilege of participating. Like many of you, I had never met Sister Shutes, but through the years I developed a great deal of respect and appreciation for her and her husband, the late Rev. K. V. Shutes. This couple (pictured above) helped to lay the groundwork for the present ministry of the Board of Retirement.

The Shutes first learned of the superannuation program (as it was called back then) while pastoring in Georgia in the late 1930s. The program provided an insurance annuity retirement benefit for pastors. After reading an article written by Joe Fort, they became burdened for the work. Mrs. Shutes said, “We were interested from the beginning and conscious of the need for a retirement plan for pastors.”

A New Agency

During the annual convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1955, the Superannuation Board hired Brother Shutes as its first and only promotional secretary. After resigning his pastorate, he moved the family to Nashville, Tennessee, to set up the office. Due to insufficient funds, however, they were unable to set up an office in the headquarters building on Richland Avenue. C. F. Bowen, director of the League, was kind enough to share his office with the new struggling ministry.

Shutes gave himself completely to developing the program while Mrs. Shutes served as secretary-treasurer. From September to December 31, 1955, Brother Shutes traveled 10,023 miles, speaking in five state associations and three local associations. He also visited 35 churches encouraging them to purchase an annuity policy for their pastor. At the time, the few full-time churches and congregations had not caught the vision of providing adequate care for their pastors.

A few months after opening the office, it became evident there were insufficient funds to operate an office. In the fall of 1956, Shutes resigned as the promotional secretary and went back into the pastorate. In spite of the couple’s hard work, only 63 ministers had purchased annuity policies. Assets were a meager $2,728.21. When he resigned he remarked, "It (superannuation) is still the most needy child of the National Association."

Due to the lack of funds, the board did not replace Brother Shutes. Instead, he continued to promote the work wherever he had opportunity. Sister Shutes continued as the secretary/treasurer of the board. The program was promoted in Contact magazine, state papers, and by board members. The small portable office in the Shute’s home moved with them as they changed pastorates.

Continuing the Work

After her husband went to be with the Lord in 1962, Mrs. Shutes continued as secretary-treasurer of the board. She remained in the position until 1969, when she packed up the records and files and shipped them to Garner, North Carolina, where Director Herman Hersey had set up a part-time office with a new name—The Board of Retirement and Insurance. She had served the board 14 years, from 1955 until 1969. At first, she did not receive any pay for her work. Later, the board paid her $15 a week, then increased it to $25 a week and finally raised it to $125 per month.

We thank God for Brother and Sister Shutes’ diligent efforts in paving the way for what we have today. They had abiding faith and conviction that the denomination would eventually care for “those who serve them.” I’m sorry I never had an opportunity to sit down with Sister Shutes and share the fulfillment of their vision for Free Will Baptist pastors. I wish I could have told her that we have helped 2,415 Free Will Baptists save for retirement, that the $2,728.21 in assets grew to more than $43 million.

Most of all, I would like to have been able to say, “Thank you.”

About the Writer: D. Ray Lewis is director of the Free Will Baptist Board of Retirement. Visit www.boardofretirement.com.

*Excerpts taken by permission from a 1984 interview with Mrs. Shutes by Vernie Hersey.