Putting your money where your mouth is.

[dawgs10]

I have heard a lot from Cogop leadership about releasing young people into ministry. I am seeing some younger ministers being "released" in other parts of the world. Not so much in North America. Young ministers being placed in major leadership roles in North America seems non existent. Larger church's and overseer positions are very "gray". Yet when I look at the council of twelve and overseer positions in COG they seem to be getting younger. Why? Is it all talk in North America? Help me out and prove that it's just my perception.

[Pastor Gary]

Well, I am not part of the NA COGOP — Asia/Oceania here, but we are sure doing all we can in our area.

[EagerBeaver]

I have heard a lot from Cogop leadership about releasing young people into ministry. I am seeing some younger ministers being "released" in other parts of the world. Not so much in North America. Young ministers being placed in major leadership roles in North America seems non existent. Larger church's and overseer positions are very "gray". Yet when I look at the council of twelve and overseer positions in COG they seem to be getting younger. Why? Is it all talk in North America? Help me out and prove that it's just my perception.

I have not been a part of the organization for three years, but it was always the opposite end of the spectrum to me and equally as bad: Either you were called to preach as a young person and if you didn't have that calling, you were pretty much passed over. I have no sour grapes but it spoke to me that COGOP was so desperate for young preachers that the local churches would help the young ministers with what little resources they had (no education, low pay) for the longest time.

I'm thankful the church is doing the Gordon-Conwell thing. Couldn't have come at a better time and I think they'll see some fruit from it.

COGOP was on the brink of losing a golden opportunity and a chance to be relevant in young America when I left the organization in '09. Three years after that, just look at the social issues we face in America. A young, liberal, energized voting base is pressing as hard as it can against Christianity in an assault we have not seen...ever. Now is the time for COGOP (and other organizations) to train and release young ministers into the harvest or it will fade into obscurity and become irrelevant in the lives of young people soon.

That's my $.02. I hope the best for the organization and I see glimmers of hope, and I have many friends who serve it faithfully. But opportunity must be seized NOW or it will be lost.

[rjjunior]

I have heard a lot from Cogop leadership about releasing young people into ministry. I am seeing some younger ministers being "released" in other parts of the world. Not so much in North America. Young ministers being placed in major leadership roles in North America seems non existent. Larger church's and overseer positions are very "gray". Yet when I look at the council of twelve and overseer positions in COG they seem to be getting younger. Why? Is it all talk in North America? Help me out and prove that it's just my perception.

What would you be looking for exactly? Young ministers as overseers? I'd personally rather see them pastoring local churches. The fact is, there just aren't a lot of young licensed ministers in COGOP NA. (5% under 40 maybe?) Hence, the emphasis in developing leaders.

[dolfan]

The fact is, there just aren't a lot of young licensed ministers in COGOP NA. (5% under 40 maybe?)

Surely not. Are you serious?

[paul]

The fact is, there just aren't a lot of young licensed ministers in COGOP NA. (5% under 40 maybe?)

Surely not. Are you serious?

I am sure their must be some stats somewhere as to the age breakdown.

This came from the Barna Group:
: What’s the average age of congregational leaders?
A: In the past few decades, men and women have been entering the ministry at older ages. Most had another career before going to seminary, and by the time they settled into the role of minister they tended to be middle-aged. In a recent study, the median age of senior or solo Protestant pastors was 51. The median age of senior or solo black pastors was 53. Roman Catholic priests are the oldest; their median age was 56. Associate pastors and those serving in non-church settings tended to be slightly younger. In a 2001 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the median age of full-time, graduate-educated minister was 45.
Want to know more?

Seperate from this is United Methodist as of 2008 say 50% of their congragatons are led by pastor age 55-70

7th Day says that 56 percent of their pastors will retire within the next 10 years making they right at 55 years old.

So I would really have to check the 5 % number, because that is way below the national average, which in and of itself is tragic.

[one love]

what are the qualifications now to be licensed in COGOP?
We have been seeing many young people recieving the call to preach, I find that statistic hard to believe but im not in COGOP so I wouldnt know. If someone answers the question it may help explain a little more.

[PastorDaniel]

the statistics from the IP meeting are that less than 10% of ministers in the COGOP are under 40 and 60% are over 60...I felt like that was probably from NA...but they didn't clarify to my memory...

[Pastor Gary]

what are the qualifications now to be licensed in COGOP?
We have been seeing many young people recieving the call to preach, I find that statistic hard to believe but im not in COGOP so I wouldnt know. If someone answers the question it may help explain a little more.

http://kahugary.com/the-ministry-develo ... awaii-ch-0

[dawgs10]

It's the release part of the plan that i have my eye on....Also, education and spirit driven ministry must be a balance.....We can't get to a point that we wait untill someone has a masters with Gordon Conwell before they are "released". I have always said that as long as we have a system in North America where overseer's are not pastoring as well, we should keep those that have a strong pastoral gifting in local church's. Administrators should be Overseer's. regardless of age.

[dawgs10]

Daniel, It is amazing that we are in the 10% of the youngest ministers in COGOP...A Bishop in COGOP told me once that if we are not promoting 30 somthings now we are in trouble in 10-20 years....And I have more respect in the person that said that than almost anyone. Their life is a ministry in itself.

[dolfan]

This comment is not aimed at COGOP, or any organization in particular.

Paul posted yesterday what I find very intriguing. Church organizations are saying their ministry is aging and not replenishing. People are on the sidelines itching for opportunities to get in "the game" (pardon the metaphor!).

Question: Is there a communication gap? Is there a qualification gap? Is there -- possibly, maybe -- a bit of corporatism in the expectations of what it means to be "qualified"?

I, for one, would love nothing more than to get in "the game". But, I don't see the need. I'm not one to invite myself to a party. Yet, when I read of the broader church in America, it is common to see these kinds of laments about the supply of ministers. On the other hand, no one seems to be communicating the need.

I believe we're ready, personally. We certainly WANT to. We're not ignorant. We're educated. We have a deep longing to help people, disciple them, and win them. To grow them long term. If I saw opportunity beyond where I serve locally (and we're doing so without any kind of licensure/credentialing nor the need for it at this point in things), I would probably jump out in front of traffic to offer myself. But, nobody's complaining. Nobody's saying "we don't have enough!". In fact, although I don't know it for a fact, I'd guess that there is a roster of folks who've "been there, done that", aren't currently leading/shepherding anything, and would be easier to tap for service. So, why should I promote myself in such an environment?

I'm really in the dark on this. I don't know WHAT the need is. It seems really, really scatter-shot to me. And, that's not anyone's fault. It is what it is. Things don't come with neat answers included.

[dawgs10]

a bit of corporatism in the expectations of what it means to be "qualified"?

Hummm......Hope not. But Hummm...

[paul]

Profile of Average* U. S. Assemblies of God Church 2007
Sunday AM/Major Worship Attendance 143
Sunday Evening Attendance 63
Members 133
Adherents 232
Midweek Attendance 75
Sunday School Attendance per School 86
Pastor's Average Age 52
Adherents' Gender Female 56% Male 44%
Continuous Ministry of Senior Pastor
at Present Church (years) 9.2
Conversions 47
Water baptisms 14
Spirit baptisms 12
*Average based only on churches reporting the item

[dolfan]

the statistics from the IP meeting are that less than 10% of ministers in the COGOP are under 40 and 60% are over 60...I felt like that was probably from NA...but they didn't clarify to my memory...

If those stats are right, the only reason you should have so few pastors under 40 would be because the churches themselves are dying off and there's no need for the pastors in the first place. So, if small and withering churches are dying off, does it make sense that there is a crisis at hand with regard to not having enough pastors? Or young enough pastors? Somebody fill in the picture, because this doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Maybe I just need a lick to the head, too.

Is there a need for COGOP church planters?! Maybe? There are mission fields among the poor all over this country. Every trailer park, apartment complex and housing project needs a church bulldogging into it. And, I mean putting down roots and putting up walls (of some kind) and throwing open doors and getting into faces. The people Jesus came to save here are sick and tired. They need the physician. If He is clearly made manifest to them, some will come. Enough will come to justify the "costs" of it, I'm convinced. Who has the resources to bring to bear? Tick tock. Oh, yeah .... people under 40. People under 50. It can be done. Are we who would complain about "releasing" and so forth be so quick to point out the lack of opportunities if we would open our eyes and see the teeming masses of people without Jesus and without hope? Opportunity is where the people are, not where the preparation is. The command is "go".