The general outlines of a growing church probably won’t surprise you. Representing 25% of congregations in the United States, growing churches:
Have fewer worshipers older than 65 years of age compared to other churches.
Attract many new worshipers, staying ahead of member departures and deaths.
Attract more of the unchurched or first-time worshipers.
Offer an engaging vision for the church’s future.
Experience some conflict as the congregation deals with change.
But is what you think you know about the pastors who lead these growing congregations true?
Not young or old. One assumption is that younger pastors, under the age of 45, serve growing or soon-to-be growing churches. As the chart below shows, that’s not true. In fact, pastors of all ages lead in growing churches! The largest age group serving growing churches are those pastors who are between 51 and 60 years old.[i]
Overall, young pastors are a relatively small demographic group. Only 12% of pastors are 40 years old or younger. Yet one in four (26%) of these younger pastors serves as the senior or solo pastor in a growing church. That margin is even greater among pastors in their fifties, however, with almost one in three (30%) leading a growing church.
// Read more here: Who Pastors Growing Churches? – Beyond the Ordinary.
What do YOU think? Anything surprising here?
Todd
I think is a great reminder that, at 33, I don’t have to be at the top of my game. I may not hit my stride for two decades!
Here I thought I was just making it. (Just kidding). According to the statistics, my church should be declining, (I’m 67, and bi-vocational). But we are growing all the same. Most of our growth is in the 10 to 45 year range, (Don’t ask me why)!
Reminds me at 43 and still looking for a pastoral ministry opportunity, that time and age are not in my favor.
I am 46 and the church I pastor is GROWING. Yay!