In George Barna’s 1991 Book Today’s Pastors, he cited that the average age of Protestant Pastors was 44. Less than 30 years later that average age has increased 10 years to 54. Today, only one in seven pastors is under the age of 40. So what does this mean to Christianity?
Depending on which survey you believe, it is estimated that 3,000-4,000 churches close their doors annually and approximately 1,500 pastors leave the ministry every month.
So why are churches closing, and why are people leaving churches at the rate of 2,000,000 people per year? Also, why is the average age of a protestant pastor increasing each year?
Let’s look at our first premise. Churches are closing. I think the Bible is pretty clear on this point. Most people don’t want their sin illuminated.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 King James Version (KJV)
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Many people don’t want to hear the truth. They’d rather have their ears tickled by charlatans who abandon the true gospel in favor of a health and wealth ministry. “They make me feel good.” “They are more positive.” ” I can get my 60 minutes of ‘Jesus’ in one sitting, and actually I can do that by watching TV. I don’t even have to get out of my pajamas.”
Some people won’t even take the time to watch a TV Preacher on Sunday morning. They have no interest in seeking after God at all. They’d rather worship the golf gods, sports gods. or leisure time gods.
What about the pastors, though? Why are they leaving? Because of the pressure from congregants to “Stop preaching on sin”, many pastors have turned their congregations into nothing more than social clubs in an effort to placate their membership. There are also a few pastors who refuse to betray the gospel and quit. I’m not sure that’s the primary reason, though.
Ministry is difficult. Think about it. Even the Apostle Paul and others were cast into jail for preaching the Gospel. The Bible teaches us that “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV). It takes courage to stand against sin. Many pastors simply don’t have the guts or the will to stand and fight.
Another reason pastors leave the ministry is for a more lucrative offer. We all know that unless you’re a Televangelist or pastor of a Mega Church the pay is pretty pitiful. Many pastors are bi-vocational. They work at a regular job during the week in addition to pastoring a church. Sometimes sheer exhaustion or greed cause a pastor to leave the ministry.
I think the primary reason for leaving, however, is lack of God’s calling. Many well-meaning Christians have called young men to the ministry. If I had listened to all the dear little old ladies who told me I should be a pastor, I would have probably gone into the ministry only to end up joining the ranks of those who decided to quit.
Make no mistake. Ministry is a calling. It’s not a job, it’s not a career, it’s a calling. If a pastor gets into the ministry by any other means, he probably won’t last long.
Finally, why is the average age of pastors continually increasing? That’s pretty simple, too. To be called to ministry, you must spend time hearing God’s teachings, and spend personal time in prayer and Bible study. How can we possibly expect God to call young men to the pastorate, or young women to full time Christian service, if church attendance and spiritual growth is not a priority to their parents?
Sunday School and youth activities have been replaced by youth sports, and parental indifference.
Twenty years ago, kids didn’t play games or practice on Wednesday evenings or Sundays. Why? Because the average family went to church with their kids on these days. Today, that’s not the norm. Parents spend thousands of dollars, and countless hours in hopes that their son or daughter will be the next athletic superstar. Parents don’t consider spiritual growth of their children to be important. Why should the kids think any differently? Wednesday and Sunday have simply become two more play days. Going to the big game is certainly more important than spending time with God.
The final reason I will discuss at this time is the fact that most Millennials who have grown up thinking they are something special, could never consider the possibly of devoting their life in service to anyone, but themselves.
This generation of the “Participation Trophy” would not likely be willing to do anything that didn’t result in personal gratification, praise, or a healthy salary. These ideals are incongruous with a life of service to God. Similarly, many of the same reasons bear responsibility for today’s shortage of school teachers, but that’s a topic for another day.
Thankfully, there are still a few millennials who are sensitive to God’s Word. Unfortunately, there are not enough of them.
So, what happens if the number of pastors continues to decline, and the number of church closings continue to increase? The answer is in God’s Word.
Romans 10:13-15 King James Version (KJV)
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
The time for playing Christian is over. Will you answer if God calls?