We believe that your PhaseNEXT can be filled with passion, purpose and legacy.
As we approached 30 years of marriage, we were keenly aware that we were approaching the end of a season defined primarily by children and career. As we saw that horizon nearing, we began considering what this next phase of our lives and family would look like.
In the past 5 years, our three children have left the home, Nancy’s mother was placed in a Memory Care unit and subsequently passed away, and Rett transitioned his law practice after 23 years. These family changes have brought other changes as connections to friends and community commitments evolve.
As our nest emptied, we began asking questions about our relationship with our adult children, our relationship with each other, our relationship with our parents, and how we could maximize our ministry in the next phase of our lives. We began to consider with new perspective what retirement might look like and the legacy we would leave for our family.
In talking to friends, we became very aware of our common experiences, fears, and struggles. It seemed like everyone we knew was asking the same questions!
We began to notice several things:
The fifty-somethings seem to disappear from the church
A surprising number of couples get divorced after 20+ years
Many people reach vocational retirement with no plan for pursuing a purpose or building legacy
There is no Christian ministry directed toward fifty-somethings
Couples are generally reluctant to discuss their feelings, fears, disappointments, and struggles because they believe theirs are unique
We recognized that we must adjust in response to these changes. Few of us readily embrace change. However, we realized several truths about the need to Pivot:
Our life circumstances and family relationships are going to change, irregardless.
The patterns, rhythms, roles, rules, and infrastructure of our life that were helpful for the first 20+ years aren’t ideally suited for the next 20+ years. In the words of author Marshall Goldsmith: “What got you here, won’t get you there.”
The sooner we can successfully Pivot, the more opportunity and joy we will have in the next phase.
There is no university for the second half of life. We must learn and make adjustments on the fly.
As we searched for a path forward, we concluded that to thrive in this next phase, we must engage in a process of:
Self-evaluation for an understanding of our gifts, calling and passions
Reevaluation of roles, rules and expectations in our relationships
Imagining possibilities for the future
Setting new goals for ourselves and our family
Making a plan for building an eternal legacy
Seeking counsel from mentors who have gone before us
Bringing others along on the journey with us
We have brought all of this together in PhaseNEXT. Our vision is to guide couples through the empty nest transition into a thriving and purposeful midlife, where they can grow in their relationships and fulfill God's calling for them.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
If you find wisdom, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:14
Rett and Nancy Kendall, founders of PhaseNEXT Ministry
PhaseNEXT is a ministry to encourage and equip couples to
transition and redefine roles and relationships during their midlife
identify and pursue God’s unique calling and purpose
leverage wisdom and experience for the benefit of others
set the foundation for legacy by investing in eternal treasure