Ardara United Presbyterian Church's longtime pastor is retired after more than 28 years of service.

The Rev. Carlisle Lloyd, who turns 66 next month, has been a minister for almost 40 years. Along with his congregation, he celebrated his time in the ministry and his time at Ardara at a retirement luncheon after his final service Feb. 3.

Ardara was the third church Lloyd served at in his career. Prior callings found him in Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania, but he said Ardara was his most challenging, especially early on.

"When I first came here, it was a matter of whether we were going to stay open or not," Lloyd said. The church had few members and fewer funds, and Lloyd said it was hard to scrape by.

Eventually, the congregation turned around, with new members and more money. Lloyd said he's not entirely sure how it happened, but he's glad it did.

"I've got no explanation except the Lord did it."

Lloyd is proud of the time he spent at Ardara, a church that has served the community for more than 100 years. During his time in the pulpit, Lloyd said, the church increasingly focused on mission work and revamped its Bible school program, two achievements of which he is particularly proud.

Although he said he could not take credit for it, Lloyd also took great pride in the renovation of the church building. Congregation members worked on the building and provided labor and equipment.

Lloyd's decision to retire came after an increasing dissatisfaction with the ideas and statements of the larger Presbyterian Church. Lloyd said in the past few years, the Presbyterian church as a whole has taken a number of positions that run counter to Biblical teaching.

"They've come out with statements saying that Jesus is not the only way," Lloyd said. "No longer is the Bible the authority in the denomination, as far as I can see."

Lloyd also cited health issues as a reason behind his retirement. He underwent quintuple bypass surgery last fall, and has been in the hospital since then.

Because of the ongoing issues with his health, Lloyd said he is not sure how active his retirement will be.

"Who knows?" he said. "I really don't. I have not made plans. I hope I can do what the Lord wants me to do."