Word Count: 300 – Est Reading Time: <90 Seconds
What’s Up:
Pastors may be staying committed, but the clock is ticking on a massive generational shift.
So What:
According to Lifeway Research, 43% of serving pastors are now 60 or older. At the same time, 15,000 churches are on track to close this year. The crisis isn’t coming … it’s already here.
The Point Is:
Pastors Are Aging Out
Nearly half of pastors are over 60. They aren’t getting younger, and pulpits are already going empty.
Churches Are Closing Fast
Ten thousand a year was bad enough. And according to Thom Rainer, fifteen thousand closings this year is catastrophic.
The Real Tragedy
Most churches don’t close because of persecution. They close because they didn’t get help in time.
Mission Drift Kills Churches
Churches focused on members instead of neighbors have already written their obituary.
And … ?
The LifeWay research looks great on the surface. 86% of pastors satisfied. 76% not discouraged. 67% optimistic. But 43% are over 60, and that number’s growing. At the same time, Tom Rainer reports that 15,000 churches are expected to close this year. We’re losing shepherds and sheepfolds at the same time. Coincidence? Not a chance.
Churches that close didn’t wake up one day in crisis. They hit snooze on disciple-making for too long. They stopped focusing on the neighborhood. They refused to do whatever it takes. And now they’re gone. Yes, some churches complete their lifecycle. But many (most!) close because they ignored the signs. They didn’t get help. They resisted change. They chose comfort over the Commission. If your church is still open, there’s still time. But only if you act in time.
Action!
Download the free Four Key Strategies That Grow Churches and find the one that will move your church from decline to growth: https://go.effectivechurch.com/four-keys
