A Congregation's Average Age

[GraceSeeker]

And that's exactly what I'm concerned about. At one of the chuches our ages would be seriously against the norm.


Well, if you like that church, don't assume that they are going to neglect you just because you don't fit the norm. It might be that they would obsessively fawn all over you. It might be that they would see you as a way to begin a ministry that they don't already have and wished they did. It might be one of a hundred different scenarios, and precisely because there are so many different scenarios you have to see what that particular church is going to actually do, rather than project on to them out of some other congregation's experience.

[cristianna]

In my quest to call a church "home" I'm discovering some interesting things in my review of the few I have narrowed my selection down to.

Do you think the "average" age of a church's congregation determines it's activity level?

From what I see in my area I really think it does.



And what are the pros and cons of a church's "average" age?

I have a hard asking that question because I don't think it comes across very nice since I feel all ages provide valuable resources, opinions and experiences. Superficially speaking younger members can be instrumental assets and mentors to the children, young couples can tap into the experiences of longer standing couples. Any age parent can get viewpoints from other parents whether it's rearing young children, teenagers, college students and even married children. Seasoned members always have time to offer wisdom, a helping hand and more to just about any age group.

But what happens when the average age dramatically swings one way or the other?

[Onesimus85]

I do not think that the activity level is directly related to age. I think the age does influence the type of activity. The church that I currently work at has a large number of very active senior citizens, but I doubt the activities that they are involved in would be sufficient for a youth outing. For some reason, I see picking apples in the mountains with youth as a food fight waiting to happen.

The spiritual age of the congregation is a direct influence on their activity; both at the church and in private. If they are lacking the Spirit and vision stick a fork in them... they're done.

[GraceSeeker]

But what happens when the average age dramatically swings one way or the other?


Loss of balance. And with loss of balance a tendency to not be sensitive to the needs of others who don't fit whatever the norm is.

My church, predominantly older, claims it really wants kids, but when we are successful at getting kids then they complain that they don't know how to behavor properly, and without realizing it tend to chase them away. Likewise, I've seen younger congregations so focused on ministering to their own needs (sending kids on exotic youth mission trips, etc.) that they have actually neglected the needs of the few elderly who are in their midst. And even if some do see it, and there are usually a few who do, trying to open the eyes of the rest is easier said than done.

[cristianna]

Hi onesimus! :wave: You worded it much better than I did. Yes, I'm looking at more of the activities than activity level.


Loss of balance. And with loss of balance a tendency to not be sensitive to the needs of others who don't fit whatever the norm is.

My church, predominantly older, claims it really wants kids, but when we are successful at getting kids then they complain that they don't know how to behavor properly, and without realizing it tend to chase them away. Likewise, I've seen younger congregations so focused on ministering to their own needs (sending kids on exotic youth mission trips, etc.) that they have actually neglected the needs of the few elderly who are in their midst. And even if some do see it, and there are usually a few who do, trying to open the eyes of the rest is easier said than done.

And that's exactly what I'm concerned about. At one of the chuches our ages would be seriously against the norm.

[GraceSeeker]

Sorry, Cristianna, my answer to you is now the opening post for this thread. I think I'm going to leave CF for awhile till they can get this thing straightened out. Email or pm me if you have any more questions.

[cristianna]

Graceseeker I found your post. lol The bugs are getting kind of funny aren't they?

For one of the churches I'm really digging deeper into I already see the dramatic shift as a potential problem. We've been going there on and off while checking out all of our options for several years now.

I don't think their intentions are malicious or purposeful. I really think they are either tapped out of ideas or have become so accustomed to it they don't notice. I haven't quite figured that part out yet.

[AquilaGT]

I think older members bring a lot of wisdom, resources, and diversity to a congregation. We once visited a UMC church that only had contemporay services. I didn't see anyone that appeared to be in the 60s/retirement age range, so I felt like it was a little out of balance.

BUT - I have also been at smaller churches that were almost exclusively the 60s plus age range. No programs for children and youth - in fact no children in attendance unless some of the members happen to bring their grandchildren. Again out of balance.

[cristianna]

I think older members bring a lot of wisdom, resources, and diversity to a congregation. We once visited a UMC church that only had contemporay services. I didn't see anyone that appeared to be in the 60s/retirement age range, so I felt like it was a little out of balance.

BUT - I have also been at smaller churches that were almost exclusively the 60s plus age range. No programs for children and youth - in fact no children in attendance unless some of the members happen to bring their grandchildren. Again out of balance.

Thanks Aquila. And that is the biggest concern of mine. I have to say there are youth and younger members, but they are dramatically small in percentage compared to the other side of the spectrum.