Episode Details

Are aging churches a real problem? The US population has a median age of 39 years old. Most denominations have a median age of congregants close to 60 years old. Josh and Sam discuss why churches are a generation older than their surrounding communities. What are the implications of the aging trend in churches?

1. 1. An inherent generation gap exists between the church and the community.
   2. Many churches may feel “outdated” due to this age disparity.
   3. Older isn’t necessarily worse, and younger isn’t inherently better, but churches are more likely to grow through younger generations than older ones.
   4. The older the church, the more challenging it becomes to connect with the next generation.
   5. Hiring a younger pastor is not a silver bullet solution.

Resources:

• Doctor of Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

• Know Your Community

• Graphs about Religion

• FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights

• Church Answers Central

• The Hope Initiative

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