Young Pastor: Old Congregation
As a 29 year old pastor and a full time student at seminary, I have observed two things. One young pastors, or pastors in training such as myself are being sent out or appointed to local churches that are declining in vitality. My second observation being that these declining churches are comprised of individuals whom are increasing in age. Questions I have to follow these observations are: With the obvious generational gaps, language, technology, and social barriers between younger generations and older generations why would the bishop appoint a young pastor to an elderly church? (is it primarily because we work for less money?) My next question would be wouldn't an older or middle aged person be able to relate to that congregation more naturally as they have had more life experience? My last question would be does the bishop think that if they appoint a younger person to a congregation comprised of aged and aging individuals that they can somehow magically increase the amount of young people in worship and on membership roles? I have been in my setting for 5 months; I had a few, very precious, younger generation families in my congregation before my arrival, I surely have not scared them off and I even more surely have not gained any new younger individuals or families. However I have gained at least 3 individuals/guests who are of the older generations.
My next question would be that of relevance, so what’s the point? Why not appoint a young in seminary person at a large church under a successful pastor so that young pastor in training could gain experience church work from a successful pastor? And then my next more deeper question would be are the younger generation age groups the main targets we as a church are looking to catch or evangelize or add to our congregations? Or do we need to reevaluate what vitality means and the age groups that can bring that vitality.
My answers, I cannot really answer on why the Bishop does what he (or she in some cases) does, it is a mystery that I will probably take to the pearly gates with me, I have learned not to complain about the appointment process but to search for the joy it brings and revel in that joy. Would a young pastor be successful in an older congregation, it depends, if that younger person intends to initiate change and drastically effect worship and the social norms of that church before forming relationships I believe that person will fail miserably. Relationship building being the key to this last sentence. Are the younger generations the main target to keeping or making the church vital I would say yes and no. Younger generations can bring a vitally to the church that allows the church to outlive its life, as in, the more younger people a church has the longer the church will survive until the doors close because the younger generations are still active and vital to the church's ministries. Is taking a look at church vitality something that is important and needed, yes without a doubt! Can an congregation comprised of middle aged and older aged individuals make their declining church into a vital church yes without a shadow of a doubt! Does that vitality include evangelizing to the younger generations, possibly but it does not hinge on it.
I will address more of these issues in my next blog, I will end with this. You younger generational pastors/preachers that are reading this, do not lose heart and focus on building relationships before you make changes! You older congregation members that are reading this do no lose heart, I love you, I know you have passions that outlive my life, God has seen the work and time you have put into your church over all these years, your cries have not fallen on deaf ears, now is your time to shine we can come together and become a vital, fruitful, 'young' congregation!
