It’s a simple question with profound implications. Do churches seek to hire pastors and/or staff who fall within a tightly defined age range?
Please understand that this article is about general trends. There are certainly many exceptions to each point I make. But these are the major issues I see related to age discrimination in hiring.
- Age discrimination is common in many churches. Though my information is anecdotal, it spans over 20 years and thousands of churches. Age discrimination in hiring pastors and church staff is pervasive.
- Churches do not discriminate maliciously. You will rarely hear church members and leaders talk about their refusal to consider candidates of certain ages. It is more the intentional way they seek candidates. For example, a church may determine their ideal candidate to be in his or her 40s. That obviously minimizes the chances they will hire persons in their 30s or 50s.
- Many churches determine candidate profiles by surveying church members. A common question on these surveys is to state a preferred age range for the candidate. The surveys then are tabulated with predictable responses. That issue leads into my next point.
- Those excluded from consideration are on both ends of the age spectrum: the younger and the older. Churches are often determined to find someone who has plenty of experience and, at the same time, is not too old. Sometimes that’s a tough combination to find.
- Many members use the “+15” mental calculation to determine if a candidate is too old. The church member often has an idealistic expectation, not always grounded in reality, that the candidate will be at the church for 15 years. They therefore add 15 years to the candidates’ current age to determine the suitability of them for the church. Such is the reason many persons 55 years and older have great difficulty finding a position.
- Churches are missing some great opportunities narrowing their focus to a certain age. It is cliché, but age is as much mental as it is physical. While the age of a candidate can certainly be one factor for consideration, I would hope it’s not always the eliminating factor.
I am seeing many churches experiencing difficulty finding pastors and other staff that meet their criteria. The solution could be in looking at candidates who just might be younger or older than they originally anticipated. Don’t be surprised if you find some outstanding candidates either younger or older than you expected.
Age is important. But it should not be everything.
Though your evidence is anecdotal, name the last church that you know of that called a pastor that was over sixty. I recently recommended a very qualified associate to a small church that needs a pastor. Without looking at his resume, they told me he was outside their age range. Sadly, they may have missed a great candidate.
Your story is repeated many times in our churches.
Yes, it happens. I’m 65 and will be 66 in Dec. I have been pastoring since 1996. My wife and I were missionaries in Germany with the IMB. My impression is that when search teams see 65, it shuts the door. I’m a bicyclist, excellent health, very strong work ethic, lots of energy, still playing some one on one basketball with teen guys. But whether a church calls me or not, I will not quit. I am now serving my 3rd interim and God has blessed each church. I’ve had my resume out for a full time pastorate, but my conviction is that it is not the search team or church that calls, but God, and He will open the right door at the right time if He wants me to be in a full time position. If that doesn’t happen, I’m still good with it. God will give me strength as my days and like Caleb and Joshua, I simply look for the next giant God wants to slay, using me in the process. I am always blessed of Him. Thanks for all God does through you. Blessings, gary
Sorry that date should be 1986 instead of 1996, I’ve been pastoring 29 years.
You sound great !! We desperately need a pastor. Apply to our church.
Are you still looking? Please apply to Cashie Baptist Church in Windsor, NC
This is a great article but let me add that churches discriminate a lot more than age. Anytime you read the classified ads in a Baptist newspaper you see things such as this….MUST have at least a Master’s Degree, MUST have ten years experience, etc. For example, how come every First Baptist Church has to be pastored by a doctor? Can God not use a person without a doctor’s degree to lead a First Baptist Church or is that in the Bible somewhere and I just haven’t seen it yet. How come you never see this in the classified ads of a Baptist newspaper….MUST be called of God! Don’t get me wrong, I am all for education and experience but the most important thing in ministry is a calling from God. What God ordains He sustains and where God guides He provides. I feel like too many times we operate the church like a secular organization instead of a spiritual institute governed by God.
You’re right, Mike. I used this brief article just to focus on age discrimination.
A 31 year old relative of ours was recently hired to be the senior pastor of a well-established, conservative church in their large city, of a slightly different denomination than relative has been associated with. The prior pastor had been there for decades. They then hired a middle-aged (40-something) individual, who even after an extensive interview process decided to try to change everything as soon as he was officially hired. That fell apart after about 3 months. Then the church took over a year to search, and finally settled on our relative, who had substitute preached for them and done some guest youth work there as well. They both (church and relative) decided on a several months probationary period as being good for all involved, and they are now settling in together firmly. 31 seems young, but this church needs a little boost age-wise, he is firm in his theology and expresses it well, and also has children who will attend the church’s school, which has also struggled with declining enrollment in recent years. (Brief aside: Please write more on church involvement with parachurch ministries in the future.) Our relative also has a humble attitude–firm in his beliefs and living them out, but understanding of where the church has been and where the sensitivities are. The church in turn has been appreciative of relative and accepted his perspective in a couple of different situations now where there was some disagreement. It seems that attitude, on everyone’s parts, is at least as important as age.
Well said, Louise, and thanks for the positive story.
Bro. Thom, I am 61 years old and have a DMin but not from a SBC seminary. I have been pastoring small churches for 27 years and because I dont have a SBC seminary degree no one wants to call me as their pastor. What ever happened to listening to the Holy Spirit?
Dr. Pickern, I feel your pain. I have an MMin., but not from a SBC seminary. You’re absolutely right. I’m beginning to wonder if some of these churches are more interested in a diploma than they are a pastor.
I’m a78-year-young pastor with 19 years full-time experience. Ordained and licensed in the Baptist tradition, but pastored 18 of the 19 years in United Methodist Churches. Reached mandatory retirement age in UMC, but have been unable to receive a call to pastor a Baptist. My desire is to serve a smaller church that cannot afford a full-time pastor.
And let’s not forget this…
…age discrimination is ILLEGAL! So why should we make excuses for why it’s okay to do in the church…
Thanks, Peter.
Technically speaking, only age discrimination on the “upper end” is illegal – over 40. You can discriminate against youth, legally speaking. Also, it won’t apply to the vast majority of churches, as it only “kicks in” when you have 20 or more employees.
It’s legal to discriminate based on age as long as the person is under 40. You can prefer a 30 year old to a 39 year old, for example. And there’s no so-called “reverse” discrimination – you can prefer a 60 year old to a 25 year old, and the 25 year old has no recourse.
Not that any of this is “right” or “fair” – just clarifying the law!
That’s helpful information. Thanks, Liz.
This article makes me most grateful for the Methodist system of pastoral appointment.
There are indeed some advantages to the appointment system. Thanks, Lyn.
There is a Methodist church just down the street from our Baptist church. I have become good friends with their pastor. And yes, I REALLY envy their “method” of pastoral appointment! (Yes, I know envy is a sin. But at least I’m being honest about it. LOL!)
I ‘ve noticed this in number of ways. 1. In the amount of experience the church wants and 2. In the type of experience that “counts”, for example I often get the message in polite but still frustrating ways that my experience as bi-vocational pastor, or as a pastoral intern, or in lay leadership does not really count.
I also notice two opposing trends in church job posting that’d it’d be interesting to get you take on. There are some churches that clearly say we want someone to stay a long time and make an investment in the community and not to use the position as stepping stone, then there other churches that won’t consider you unless you 5 years of specialized experience in the similar role – which makes it feel like you have to use churches as stepping stones to get considered for certain roles. Some times I wish I could introduce the sets of two churches together and have them argue it out.
Great points, John. Thanks.
Yes, there is discrimination in many ways. I also observed this for almost my whole career as a pastor. Age 24-66. What I saw was something that has not been good for many churches as it revolved around an “Old Boys Club”. These were the pastors that basically watched out for each other. These were the ones that got the nod. Many of these churches went through many pastors over the years taking on recommendations after recommendation and seldom growing in their faith and growing as a congregation.
Because I was not part of the Old Boys Club, I grew to also notice that if your paradim was outside the Old Boys Club paradim of ministry, you were only contacted by small insignificant very rural churches where you wouldn’t do any damage.
Well, every ministry calling I accepted God grew those churches and He had the victory.
Now as an Intentional Interim Minister, God takes me to churches were we pick up the pieces.
Thanks, Robin.
Factoring age into a hiring decision is a difficult thing for any church. I don’t think most search committees intend to discriminate, yet they’re required to deal with some unfortunate realities. One of them is congregational preferences. While it may seem that surveying the congregation about age is passing the buck on leadership, it’s also true that you’re not doing the next pastor any favors by ignoring what the congregation is looking for. If they perceive (for example) they need someone no older than 45, and they’re presented someone age 60, the search committee has effectively set the new pastor up for failure, which is unwise.
Another difficulty is how this specifically effects the church calling a senior pastor. If the church is calling an associate, the senior pastor can lead in convincing the congregation that calling the right person with the right skill set and the right temperament is more important than a young, fresh face. But if the church is seeking a senior pastor, who will lead the church into this understanding?
Now that I’m about to turn 60, I’m experiencing pervasive congregational preferences for younger pastors first hand and I can’t say its enjoyable. Yet having been on the side of helping a church find the right staff member on several occasions, I understand the reality the church deals with regarding age. Like many dynamics found in our churches, its something imperfect without an easy solution.
You’re right, Bob. I obviously did not offer solutions either. My purpose was to create a greater awareness. Thank you.
I was 25 when I started took the pastorate of my first church. I remember making hospital visits and people could not believe I was the senior pastor. I would hear people say “you sure are young to be the pastor. I am 34 now, and now the senior pastor of my second church and I am still considered a young pastor. I think this mindset is due to the low expectations that are set on our younger generation. George Washington was 17 and running a surveying business. This mindset has caused a movement of kids that are between the age of 18-25 that are still living at home, with no responsibilities, and no desire to hold a job. As a pastor, I am working hard to quit looking at a person’s age and start looking at their ability. Example, I am letting a 2nd grader help plan our church’s harvest festival because he came to me with some ideas. I mean, why not??? That is the age range we are trying to reach. I refuse to tell a 2nd grade young man he is too young to help plan and lead because I think he is too young. Just hit a soap box with this one Brother Thom…keep making a difference!
Thank you for the kind words to me, Dan.
Thank you, Thom, for posting on this issue. As a worship pastor, I began to feel this in my late forties. I would counsel any aspiring worship leader/pastor to hone skills that you can use in another ministry role (executive, senior, etc…) after you reach fifty. Contemporary music is linked at the hip to popular genres, which by nature are youth oriented. It is just the way of our culture.
I transitioned to a lead pastor role in my late fifties. In my denominational region, there was a church that needed someone my age and skill set. (Here’s the age discrimination thing again…) The previous pastor had a VERY long tenure and retired in his late eighties. Someone under 50 would have had an even rougher time than I have had.
I just turned 60 this year. I plan to work full-time and actively into my seventies. I am in excellent health and am very energetic. It is evident, however, that I am the “sacrificial lamb” after the long-tenured pastor in my setting. I am actively searching. Tough deal. 30 + years in worship ministry, 5 years in higher ed, 3 years in lead pastor role, all with a strong track record of effectiveness. I sent out quite a few resumes earlier this year. Only one look.
Yes. Age discrimination is illegal. It is also pervasive in the church, as you have said. I know I’ll land somewhere because God is faithful. But the discrimination is personally hurtful, and as you point out so well in your blog, it is an impediment to the kingdom. Churches would be wise to broaden their reach.
Thanks, Thom, for bringing this issue out in the open. Someone should write a book…
You are so right!
I have been part of staff searches several times throughout the years of my ministry. I would agree that some churches miss out on great opportunities for ministry leadership from wonderful folks because their search profiles are too narrow. Preferred age ranges can quickly eliminate highly qualified candidates. That said, I have a lot of sympathy for church search committees. They are presented with a large responsibility whose result can have long term benefits or consequences. Any search team could be faced with stacks of literally hundreds of resumes (all of whom profess to be called of God). When faced with such a daunting task, these teams have to have some form of criteria to go by. I’m not defending one practice or another… just pointing out that it is not as simple as one might imagine.
Regarding “discrimination,” looking for a restricted age range is only the tip of the ice berg. If we are going to apply secular hiring guidelines, would it not be discriminating to be looking for a male heterosexual who is married (but not divorced), who falls within a given age range, has a certain level of education, and holds similar points of view politically, socially, and theologically?
My point is… it is hard to be discerning without discriminating. Hiring Pastors and staff is a tough process for everyone involved. We need the Lord to guide. Blessings to all of you.
You’re right, Doug. I was focusing on one aspect of discrimination.
Also has something to do with the “Old Boys Club” who watch out for their own. And if some whipper snipper comes along with a different way of doing church, they are never considered.
As an Intentional Interim I find myself going in and cleaning up.
I believe there are three questions needed to be asked when you approach a candidate. None of them relate to age.
1. Do you know the Lord and did He call you into ministry?
2. How long at your present church and how many people attending when you arrived?
3. How many people are presently attending your present church?
Even though Jesus said He will build His church, we need to listen to Matt 28, “Make disciples.
Thanks, Robin.
Churches definitely discriminate. I have dealt with it throughout my ministry thus far. I’m now 38 and have been pastoring for 14 years. Coming out of seminary, I could only get one church to even consider my resume, and by God’s grace they extended a call. My next church was willing to call me, but they tended to distrust my leadership because I guess they felt I was too young. I remember a time when they called the DOM to settle an issue we were discussing. Thankfully the DOM agreed with my leadership. Had he not, the church probably would’ve gone a different direction. Why call a man if you don’t trust him? While serving at that church my resume was submitted to another congregation. It was a church of about 150-200 members. After I had not heard from their committee for quite some time, my friend asked a committee member why I was not considered. He said it was because I was not at least 40 years old. How ridiculous. That standard would rule out quite a few men from being their pastor – David, Solomon, Timothy, and even Jesus Himself (just to name a few). The age thing is only part of a larger issue – churches need to quit coming up with these silly list of standards that pastoral candidates must satisfy. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having some guidelines in mine, but acting as though they are sacred has kept many churches from missing the will of God. Much more emphasis needs to be placed on prayer and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
I am 58 years old and began serving the church I am at now in July. They didn’t see my age as a detractor. Though I must admit that the previous minister retired at 85, and the average age of the congregation is more on the elderly side. One church I talked with, some of the people in my age category thought I was a bit old for what they wanted. I am grateful to these folks that believed in God’s provision and in my willingness and ability and we are attracting some 20 & 30 years old people. For this we praise the Lord.
That is excellent, Jeff!
I’m not sure if there is a connection, but I’m constantly seeing articles about attracting millennials to church so I’m sure that has some effect on the age of a desired pastor.
I recently graduated from seminary but I will turn 50 this year. I have been very active in churches as a deacon and teacher. I have hit a barrier in that my age restricts me but also the lack of “vocational” ministry gets my resume dropped on the initial screen. Churches need to be aware God does not always call the 20 year olds. Sometimes God needs to show some of us parts of the world so we are able to minister to that segment of our culture.
Another form of discrimination in the church worth noting is that against single pastors. The vast majority of churches want to hire married men. I once heard my pastor say “When we hire him, it’s buy one, get one free” (making reference to the unpaid work the pastor’s wife would do). At another point, I heard “Normally we wouldn’t hire him because he’s single, but because he has a serious girlfriend, it’s okay. I’m assuming they’ll get married within the year.” Ugh. Single men graduating from seminary know that they will have an uphill battle finding work because of their single status. They know that they’re considered “second class” to their married peers with the same education and experience, and will be overlooked by many churches as a candidate.
I was a single pastor for 11 years. All I can say is, you ain’t just whistlin’ Dixie!
That is all too true, friend. I’ve been in ministry, as a worship and student pastor, for 9 years. I can’t tell you how many churches I’ve interviewed with that really liked me and wanted to bring me on, but ultimately didn’t because I wasn’t married. It’s happened more times than I have fingers to count on.
To paraphrase Tim Keller- Jesus and Paul were both single, and they did pretty good.
I’m sorry, Steven. And, you’re right! Tim Keller “gets” it. His church has lots of singles and he and his wife have done singles conferences and such. But, by and large, it is difficult. I’m not a pastor, but I’m a single in full-time, vocational ministry (9 years for me, too!) and I understand.
In the Catholic church being single is a necessary, as a man has more time to devote to the church. Too bad, Protestant churches are not the same.
This reality is endemic in most of the congregations in our land, we walk by sight and not by faith. No wonder we see a decline in church attendance, God’s person is omitted because of a preconceived idea of what is best for tomorrow! What about today!! Sadly we see excellent leaders overlooked because of age…. Hmmm…. Glad God didn’t behave that way! Great article and timely!
I will be 61 next month, I have had two pastors tell me they need younger staff to help then reach young families. One even asked me to find a younger ME. I wanted to tell hem they just broke the law, but that would not serve me or my Father. I have experienced this on the phone and in direct interviews.
After reading many of these posts, it reminds me of a statement an elderly pastor told me many years ago, “If you can do anything other than pastoring then do it.” I took his advice and spent 35 years in the computer business. It is sad that as I am 65 I don’t ever expect to be called; I wonder why I went back to school earning a B.Sc., M.Div., MBA, and half way through a four year Th.D. program at Columbia Evangelical Seminary.
I would have to agree with most of the comments. I will be 56 this year and would love more than anything else to seek a church close to the kids and grandkids (I think you could relate Thom)! I am one that has the degrees and the skill sets, entered the ministry in 1981 and pastoring since 1989. entering my 36 year soon of ministry … most of us in my age are fearful about seeking a church because of the age. I have served on our General Mission board of our state convention for 9 years and have seen many come and go and some get passed over because of age. I think many are fearful of seeking a church because of the +15 age… I have often wondered how that would effect a search committee thoughts and decisions. Sometime could you possibly do a post on “when to go and when to stay?” By the way – was in Nashville this summer and loved it!
This is a paraphrase from a video interview with best-selling author & Episcopal priest, Ian Morgan Cron, but it reflects all my own sentiments, exactly, on the subject of Ageism & Age Discrimination in the Church:
It’s tragic that a church would sell out to the same kind of Ageism/Age discrimination as the rest of the world has fallen into. Pop culture says that youth is the equivalent of relevance and becoming an Elder is to become irrelevant. So … the fact that the Church would capitulate to that way of thinking, is repulsive. I really want to use a word stronger than repulsive! Do you want Justin Bieber as your pastor or worship leader? I don’t!!! I want somebody with some “miles on the odometer” – that’s what I want! And … I don’t care if they’re young or if they’re 70. What I want is, though, someone who has the knowledge of God – born of having walked the “Emmaus Road” a longtime and had their eyes opened numerous times along the way – in moments [not only] of astonishment, which is wisdom, giving, suffering. Now … a young person can have some of that, but they can’t carry it in the same kind of “container” that a 45, or 55, or 60 year old person can – they can’t! It’s not their fault. So … the danger in that and the sadness in my heart, is that people and churches would so want to mimic culture by idolizing youth!
You have hit on a real problem. This also applies to Worship Leaders. If you’re over 60 you can’t sing contemporary music? I beg to differ.
A related scenario I have encountered as a young pastor… old, elderly, basically on the brink of death and closing their doors churches like to hire young pastors in a last ditch attempt to somehow save the church from its inevitable fate. A young pastor can’t save a church just because he and his family are young. Even an appeal to other younger churchgoers won’t save the church that’s been in a decline for years and years. I wish I could emphasize strongly to them that a young pastor makes no magic bullet…
There are two reasons dying churches grab a young pastor: one- the desperate hope that they will draw in younger members, and two- the fact that they can pay them less since giving is usually suffering. Thus they do not get the experienced pastor who could actually save them. Or they get a retiree with another income, but little energy for the task.
Exactly the situation I keep finding myself in. I hope, as my family ages we also age out of this situation. 😉 It’d be nice to be called to a healthy church for once.
Typical ad for a pastor: Must have 15+ years of experience, have PhD, pay $1,000 per month…
i believe the problem is only going to get worse as more and more churches are hiring search firms to find their new staff
Every organization wants the perfect candidate. Search firms also can tell an applicant where to focus his/her efforts. Networking is very important in every profession.
I think churches have a candidate in mind who may wish to hire and exclude many others in the process. I am not sure if you could call it discrimination or just very high selectivity. I have found that few organizations wish to hire a young person. There is still an idea that is very prevalent that young people are capable of doing a job because they do not have 20 years of experience.
Incapable
Does this really surprise us? The message I regularly hear from church growth and church revitalization experts is that we need to focus on the younger generation and disregard the older members. They don’t use those exact words, but that’s what a lot of people – myself included – are hearing. Why should we surprised, then, when churches are looking for younger staff? I believe this is one area where the church has sold out to the culture. I fear that much of our modern church growth thinking is rooted more in Madison Avenue than it is in Scripture.
But it takes a very talented older pastor to reach the young. Too many older pastors don’t (seem to) understand the modern world. I grew up hearing older pastors who lashed out at the Young instead of making any attempt to understand them.
Understanding is a two-way street. Too many young people in churches today – including young pastors – see senior adults as a burden. The problem is, if Jesus delays His coming, these young people will be senior adults someday. Do they want people to treat them the way they treat senior adults now?
I’m 48 years old, and have been a pastor for 20 years. I often try to talk to young people and see what they’d like, but too few of them are willing to commit themselves to anything. They talk about the kind of music they want, but few seem willing to show any consideration to people that have different tastes. In short, they want people to understand them, but they’re not so willing to understand others.
Plant a church. Your hired!
And no baggage from tradition and what the last guy did!!
I agree age discrimination is big in churches and on my view points of being a Baptist it is very common in a Baptist church to discriminate with age and being a head pastor or even an associate pastor. I am one of the few blessed young men to be an associate pastor at the age of 20 but my ex roommate from college that is 27 is not even considered at his home church that is in need of a pastor because they said that he was not old enough that he needed to be 33 the age that Jesus supposedly started His ministry. It really frustrates me and it frustrates my friend also because I don’t understand their reasoning and neither does he. I wish that some churches would break their traditions and let God flow freely within the church instead of trying to contain Him and put Him in a box. Also at Fruitland Baptist Bible College all the older professors have said this is the youngest average of age they have ever seen as in God calling young men and women to the ministry, that in my opinion should open the eyes of churches of how God is raising up the young people to do marvelous things for His glory. Thanks for your article because this needs to make everyone aware of what is going on within our churches.
I am basically a positive person and active in Toastmasters where we are taught to listen and communicate with a positive tone. But. I. am. amazed. by. some. of. the attitudes. of many. church. members. Dr. Richard Jackson was only 16 when he was called to his first church. Imagine what this world would have missed had someone told him, “Go away you are not 33 yet.”
I think W.A. Criswell was only 17 when he was called to his first pastorate. Alas, times have changed since then. Most churches would be reluctant to call a pastor that young because of maturity and liability issues. Still, 33 does seem to be a bit much. Some churches will still call a young pastor. Our youth pastor left not long ago to take a position as senior pastor in a nearby county, and he’s only 25.
Sadly, the church that seeks only youthfulness in a lead pastor can be missing out on decades of quality, experience, wisdom, knowledge and depth.
I know of pastors who are in their 60’s and 70’s who can preach circles around the youngsters and have had years cultivating the people skills necessary to deal with the complex issues that can plague a church body.
Often times when a church is thinking of turning a pastor out to pasture, the pastor may be still in his prime of effectiveness for the kingdom.
If a church’s main criteria is that he is to be “hip” with the youth of the church, I believe they are using the wrong end of the yardstick.
Bravo!
Age is definitely a big discriminating factor for many churches. But, that, I think, contributes to a bigger overall problem: church pastor/staff search committees and/or congregations have developed some very worldly and unrealistic expectations and views. It seems like the average list for a ministry positions looks something like this:
-Must be between age 40-45
-Must have 15+ years experience leading a church of 500+
-Must have a M. Div.
-Must be a strong leader, gifted speaker, etc.
-Must possess A, B, C spiritual gifts
The same churches run 15-20 and can’t pay any salary. I’m not saying anything against bivocational ministry. My last pastorate and current church planting endeavor are both bivocational ones. It just blows my mind that God’s calling and choosing seems to have gone out the window and has become devoured with human reasoning and effort. It’s no wonder we are seeing so many churches in decline. It’s because we have tossed God out of our churches and replaced Him with our own plans and ways. How could we ever be so arrogant as to think we could accomplish God’s work without Him?
Some years ago I saw a list of qualifications for the perfect pastor. Among them: “He’s 32 years old and has been preaching for 40 years.” Or, “He makes 30 visits a day, but is never out of the office.” The list was satirical, of course, but it was more true to life than some people want to admit.
61and in very good shape physically. Youth pastor for 30+ years at the same church. Worked hard for the church but now would like to move because of Gods’s call to a senior pastor position. Can’t get a search committee to take a seat at the table and talk about what I could bring to a church. All say same thing “great resume” but not what we are looking for. I will serve somewhere, if it’s at my present position which I still love. But in my heart I know God desires my service in another role. God is good and I will go to the grave proclaiming that. Church you had better wake up, it’s His church to be led by His men not your dream team. Who does God have for the church is the question, not picture the perfect man and only hire him( he doesn’t exist apart from Gods leading)
Some of the best youth leaders I’ve ever known have been older adults. It doesn’t really take that much to connect with youth. You just have to real with them and genuinely care about them. I don’t pretend to like the same things that the teens in my church like because that would be phony on my part. Does that turn off the teens toward me? I don’t think so. They think I’m a bit of a fuddy-duddy, but they love me anyway became I’m a GENUINE fuddy-duddy!
*because* I’m a genuine….
I had a pastor search committee tell me that, although they liked me, the congregation would never approve because I was too young. (I was in my mid-30s at the time.)
How I wanted to respond: “Well, I’m not getting any younger. Give me enough time, and I’ll be as old as you want me to be.”
God worked things out, and I’m thankful for the church I serve now. I do agree, however, that churches can overlook some great candidates if they are too focused on age.
1) The same congregations that exclude the 50+ pastor often also exclude the “first-call” pastor. I have lobbied for a long time that we add a category of “first-call, second-career” to send the message that not all first-call pastors are 20 something.
2) Yes, churches are interested in attracting young people, but I think they are equally short-sighted to overlook the “Gray Tsunami” of Boomers who are also largely unchurched and would find a 60-something pastor a contemporary
3) Is excluding the 50+ crowd from the applicant pool God’s way of planting new congregations?
As a 54 year old, desiring to re-enter vocational ministry after a 16 year hiatus, I’ve become fully aware of this challenge. I have a 56 year old brother who is in a similar situation although he has only been out of the pulpit for 2 years as he moved home to take care of his in-laws.
In the limited sample size I can speak to, I think 2 factors are coming in to play:
1) Many churches have taken a “formulaic” approach to church growth. They look at other growing churches and seek to merely duplicate the externals they discern are the reason a church is growing. Unfortunately this whole idea is based on a series of false premises concerning numerical growth: i.e. # growth=health and # growth=God’s hand at work.
2) As many Senior/Lead pastors are growing older they are looking for a possible candidate that could continue their vision as they potentially retire. This is not necessarily a bad thing on the part of these churches. Test driving a small groups, associate, or executive pastor is a great way to vet a future lead pastor.
Churches are led by mere men both as pastors and on search committees. Like me, they sometimes walk by the Spirit and other times the flesh. I get that.
I’m blessed with a Godly wife who re-assured me after 3 “Thanks, but No Thanks” notices in a recent 10 day stretch that God is simply protecting us from an unhealthy and detrimental church situation. We are just fine waiting as long as it takes for Him to place us where He needs us most in His Kingdom. We are confident that “He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it!”
Five years ago, at the age of 48, I transitioned (moved East) in ministry. I had been a successful Worship Pastor on a full-time basis for over 15 years (plus 15 years of volunteer and/or part-time worship leading).
Musically I was as “contemporary” as I’d ever been. Not cutting edge, but up-to-date, doing Jesus Culture, etc., music among standards of the previous 15 years or so.
Yet I had one pastor specifically say that they were looking for somebody younger. (It was a college town, and I did appreciate his honesty.) At least three more churches implied the same thing, without specifically saying it.
I thought about the age discrimination thing (though I’d NEVER say it to them, or take any such action). After I finally got a three-month interim worship leader role, it didn’t continue and I subsequently became a Lead Pastor for the first time at age 49.
As I evaluate my future I wonder if I need to transition before I reach 55+ … or if I won’t even get that opportunity. The only thing I’m sure of is that, if God wants it to happen, He’ll find a way.
If no church will hire you, go plant! It may be God’s way of telling you that He has different plans. Take the gospel to an area where more churches are needed. Instead of building on another man’s foundation, go take the Name of Jesus where it is not being named. Romans 15:20
The resume may be given to the pastoral search committee but we must understand that the one who is providing these resume already has a preferred candidate and may not endorce all the strong resume that may affect their preferred candidate to these churches. Those leaders who provide, to the search committee, these resume will not post or inform other candidates that there is an opening until it is to late.
We are now seeing more churches without pastors and the church has decreased to the place where they are not able to afford a pastor. I am 62 and I have a a doctorate but no one want to hire anyone after the age of 55 because this is the thinking that is found in leaders who make the decisions. I am pastoring a church, I sit on the Board of Governors at a Bible College, I sit on the executive of our district and I am a Presbyter. This selective behaviour mentioned are not found in all District levels.
I think, in my limited experience, there are at least two factors that lead to this “discrimination”:
1. So many churches are looking to reach the “younger people” or at least young families – so for them it would not make much sense to hire somebody in their 60s to try to reach the 20s and 30s demographic. Right or wrong, I am sure that is a factor .
2. Inexperienced (or I may even say ignorant) search team. Many search teams are made up of folks in the congregation that, honestly, do not know what they SHOULD be looking for in a pastor so they do the best they can and elevate tenure, education, and H above more in Porten factors. In their defense, though, when you’re looking through a stack of 100 resumes you have to draw the line somewhere.
3. If we are talking about associate pastors, the age of the current pastor would affect this a lot. There are probably a few pastors that gladly hire someone that is much older than them.
all the comments are on target but several things have been left out. By the way I’m 71 years old.
Churches often feel they need to protect themselves from health issues of older pastors. I can tell you anecdotally that there are a lot of pastors who are not able to do the work the church needs because of their health. It is a very real issue.
then there is the issue of the pastors who don’t leave when they can no longer function as they are needed by the church. that leaves a bad taste .
Many who are my age will not admit they have slowed down.
at 71 my health is very good and I can still work hard but I can tell I am not what I was 10 years ago. How long will it last??
the other thing that needs to be said is that God is still on the throne and His will is always to be considered. I can see in the past when I had opportunity to move and wanted to move that God closed the door and later I could see what He had kept me from. In spite of what clergy see as shortcomings of committees, many have got good people serving the best way they know how to serve and are in touch with the Lord. it is always personal to be rejected but I agree with the person who said the desire of the church is to be honored by the search committee. they are called to serve the church and not their own wants
I know a lot of what I have said can be argued with and refuted but overall it goes back to God’s leadership of both staff and laity.
As you say, there is evidence of age discrimination. We just went through the process of finding a new minister after having a young, fresh out of college as our leader that did not end on an upbeat note. Many looked at our young pastor as too young to know about life (some what true) and inexperienced as a leader (also true) and a very young Christian (also true). We did not do anyone any favors by bringing this young man into our congregation, we were not prepared to deal with his enthusiasm and he was not prepared to deal with our unwillingness to follow him into the future. When he left, he was hurt and not wanting to even consider continuing to serve in the ministry.
When we started our search for our current minister, we were told by various members of the congregation that we needed someone more mature but young enough to relate to the younger people in out congregation. Having had to deal with the heartache of the last minister, we were very sure we did not want another young, inexperienced minister, so I have to say we did discriminate against some younger candidates, but in reality, we needed someone with both life experience and ministry experience that could deal with our hard hearts.
First we considered a retired man that had not served as a minister for 15 years, he had been serving at a local children’s home and was quite happy there until his wife passed away. Long story short, he wanted to get back into the preaching ministry and our search committee thought he was perfect for our church. His age was 72. Unfortunately, the congregation did not agree with our decision, so he was not offered the position due to most of the congregation not wanting a minister that old. I know we lost a great opportunity.
We did hire an older minister, 64 years old, and things are just wonderful, not because of his age, but because of his experience in dealing with people and his willingness to serve Christ in spite of people.
I have finally decided the first man we wanted was sent to us to open the eyes and minds of our congregation to the fact that we did not need someone between the ages of 35 and 51 years old, we needed someone that had a heart to do God’s will.
Even though it is wrong, I can understand the reluctance of hiring a young person but I do not see any down side to hiring one of God’s senior saints that has dedicated their life to serving Him. It is supposed to be God calling the man to minister to us, we just get in His way.
My experience has found the prime age to be called as a lead pastor in the USA is 35-55 years old. In part this is driven by the desire of churches to have a pastor who still has children at home. It’s not just an age issue, but more of a family issue.
I would disagree with this. Having 30 years of ministry experience and 7 years as pastor, I am now 52 and can’t get a sniff. I think the age group is 33-45
I’m going to have to disagree as well. I’m 51, MDiv, and have experience. And I can’t get to the interview phase. It’s rather disheartening to see that the secular world has better standards than the church regarding hiring and the ability to discriminate.
I’ve been wondering if the church is taking on the culture of the world (Rom 12:2). The world worships youth (beauty) and the staff in many churches are trending younger. I think I’ll write an article and title it: “Ageism in The Church – The Sin of Idolatry”.
Sounds kind of catchy? What do you guys think?
So I heard back from a church. They said I was well qualified, but they wanted someone with younger children. I don’t remember reading that in Titus or 2Tim. A friend said I should have told them that I could adopt or foster. I wish I would have thought of that.
I am convinced, having worked on both sides of the hiring issue — church and corporate — that churches follow the trends of the secular culture when it comes to issues such as hiring, and age discrimination, etc. They may not recognize it, but it is true. And they are very shortsighted about it. I have been there. It’s ugly.
I also believe that churches are just at the edge of malicious when it comes to age discrimination, esp. when they state — that person is outside our age considerations. In most secular businesses no one even dare say that, because that is an actionable offense and could lead to a law suit.
There’s much work and perception changing to be done to overcome this one, if ever.
Not even a call of God can overcome this one. How truly sad.
I think it goes beyond just age discrimination. Many churches profile an ideal candidate like you’ve acknowledged in your post but those profiles are not limited to just candidate age. A lot of committees I’ve interviewed with in the past have include sections on their questionnaires regarding the applicant’s martial status and their children (both age and number of children). I often got the impression from some committees that I wasn’t going to be seriously considered because of either my age, my martial status before I met my wife, or the fact we didn’t have any children once we were married. Looking back, I’m where God wanted me to be now but at that time I couldn’t help but feel discouraged when rejections would come in after I had an interview where the committee seemed to lose interest when I didn’t meet their profile in a certain area. I think you’re correct about how all the idolization of a prefect candidate keeps churches from considering someone who may be the perfect fit for their church because he doesn’t match their “ideal” profile. At the same time, I think it is important for any minister interviewing or seeking a church for ministry to realize that being told “you don’t fit our profile” isn’t the end of the world and that God is sovereign even in our quests for vocational ministry positions.
I reckon that Moses wouldn’t stand a prayer of leading ANYONE in this current culture! In my view, grey hair should be an asset, not a deficit, in seeking someone to pastor a church. Paul wrote to Timothy that he shouldn’t let anyone despise his youth. Nor should we let anyone despise our wisdom. It’s no wonder that so many pastors are giving up on the ministry! SHAME on churches and search committees who may well be despising God’s man for them because of some arbitrary, cultural idea of what a pastor should be instead of seeking GOD’S choice for them!
Thom, thanks for this post. You made some excellent points about how churches (people) predetermine who and what the next pastor will be and often exclude the man God might have prepared for them.
Also, I am concerned about the scarcity of young men available to step behind the pulpits of churches. I wonder if pastors are allowing these young men opportunities to preach so they will get that “taste” for the calling of being a pastor.
Yes churches do!! I am so glad you made this comment. I was an interim pastor of a church for about 5 months, till they hired a new “younger” man. After I was dismissed I asked one of the deacons why I was not interviewed for the job? I was told (in writing) that I was too old.
That really hurt me and I am not over it yet, that a church would be so short sighted as to base something on such a worldly standard and not a spiritual one. It still hurts.
When I graduated from college in 1992 I was told that I was too young, unmarried and had no experience. I finished seminary in 2010 – took a ten year break between college and seminary. When I graduated I was married already, had two kids, older and still had no paid church staff experience. Age discrimination happens at both ends of the spectrum. I am 46 now and am considered too old for some pastoral roles and have been told so. Someone in the earlier comments mentioned about not calling someone over 60 – now it’s not calling someone over 40
When I entered seminary in the late 1980s (at a tender age of 22), we were told in several classes that “in general, churches are looking someone 35-45 years of age with 20-25 years of F/T experience, tall, fit and good-looking, 2-3 children, and a wife who is involved in everything.”
At age 57, I had a stroke and then four months later I went through a “wacking” that is a short meeting and I was out the door. No warning. They had another younger guy who was going to be their answer. Oh how the church loves (sarc). And since then, though I love the local church, LOVE IT, I can’t get one church to look at my resume. Not for an associate, executive pastor, small group pastor, even in small rural settings. Around 40 resumes sent. Almost 4 years later & many ‘vetting’ opportunities, counsel, not a bite. “You don’t fit our profile ….” I know what this means. The thin envelope. I am a 35 year old pastor trapped in a 61 year old body. 39 years of ministry. Sucks. Like being tossed on the wood pile. I want to be around for the younger guys when they are not so young and suddenly unless they write and get famous, are not all that. Maybe we can bowl together. Or I might be too old for them. Yes, their legions of men and women who have been hurt as they faced the bias of church hiring today. Happens every day. Those of us who are ‘out’ now need to pray for churches even more to realize the resources and wisdom they are missing. Yes, we can still rock. Great article –
I have (had) a call, but I gave up. I had all kids of confirmation, all kinds of pats on the back, encouragement, etc,. But when it came time to actually ministry experience, paid or non-paid, full time or part time, intern or staff, I was always too old to be a rookie and too single for anything. I have been to a very good and reputable Bible College, and part of the way through seminary. I see no reason to return or to go on. I used to tell myself “Don’t worry about it, GOD is the one who called you, not men. He will open the door when it is time.” I still try to believe that, but I am tired and hurt, and while I try to run away from my calling and not care, God will not let be do so. I have not exactly limited myself to SBC churches, but I will tell you that I ave VERY disappointed in the SBC. I no longer go to an SBC church and I may never go to one again. The politics, favortism, etc make me sick.
Whatever happened to seeking God for His will in seeking a minister? Remember Josiah was 8 yrs old when he became king and how many reforms did he instigate?
On the other hand, Rehoboam rejected the counsel of the older men and chose the counsel of the younger men and made a mess of his kingdom.
Glad no one told Brother Moses or Noah that they were too old to preach or lead.
Or who would have chosen Paul? He had been in jail, trouble with the Pharisees , tried to kill him. Yet look at how much of the NT he wrote.
Are we looking for what we want or what would please and glorify God.
Why do we think age makes a difference anyway? We are past 60 and still played with the youth and kids after church and our Bible study.
My cousins must be in their mid to late 70s and are still missionaries in Spain.
I want to say to those who had been preaching sound doctrine, seeking to glorify God, spent time in prayer with God and have been treated unfairly or been discriminated against because of age “too young or too old” to remain faithful, to be comforted in the Lord ( as David was) and God will make it right in His time. It is very hard but God knows your pain and how to deal with it. I read Voice of the Martyrs when discouragement sets in and movies like Captive Faith ( 3 Russian pastors in jail for their preaching) or Samuel Morris ( on fire for God) or First Fruits ( Moravian missionaries in a group that prayed for missions 24/7 for 100 yrs many saved) all on youtube
I know that God is sovereign and can be trusted to work out His will in our lives whether it seems like it or not.
And the most beautiful part of all our suffering is that this life is temporary and Christians will be home with God forever with perfect peace. It is sad to think of so many who have gone their own way to reap suffering forever.
I want to add that it is very difficult to handle advice from those who have not walked in your shoes in the ministry.
We were told that churches don’t even look at a pastor past 60 .
A W Tozer said, ” Listen to no man who fails to listen to God. In any group of 10 persons at least 9 are sure to believe that they are qualified to offer advice to others. And in no other field of human interest are people as ready to offer advice as in the field of religion and morals. Yet it is precisely in this field that the average person is least qualified to speak wisely and is capable of the most harm when he does speak”
(The Root of the Righteous )
I have researched for years what people want in a church and little of it has anything to do with God; but ” what will benefit ME “. I often wonder how much of the worship in churches has much to do with God. I heard in a sermon how some SBC leaders said according to the Bible most church members are unregenerate . Sad state of our churches that want entertainment instead of the Bible. What concerns me is these bad choices ( keeping good Bible believing , godly pastors out of the church and choosing shallow feel good pastors). Do we not know that these wrong choices have eternal consequences? God help us.
A pulpit committee came to listen to a sermon in a church that I was serving as an interim pastor. The first thing the chairman of the committee said to me, literally, the first thing, was: “You don’t look as old as your resume says that you are.” I was 58. His comment staggered me. I knew at that second that the committee would not call me. Also, I understood what would happen to other resumes I sent out. I quickly decided retrain myself. I became a paralegal. I would still accept a pastorate, but I don’t expect any forthcoming offers.
I have given up on the SBC. I have almost given up on ministry altogether. I know it is God who called me, not men, so I need to trust in Him. I also know that what I think I should be doing might not be what God has in mind, However I am tired, disappointed and hurt. I wasn’t raise in the SBC or any other baptist denomination, I came to it back in 1998, and felt I found an oasis. Now I feel like the denomination I have loved and supported has kicked me in the crotch and told me “you’re to old to be a rookie and too old and single to be anything.” Thanks for all the encouragement. NOT!
I was office manager at my own church for 24 years and loved it! I did everything that was asked of me, stayed current with computer software, worked so many more hours than was asked of me (I was salaried), and loved the congregation. Then a pastor came to us who was only there for 3 years and then retired. His philosophy was that “no one should work in the church office for 24 years because then she knows too much – she should not work there more than 4 or 5 years.” Then the day after he retired, I was visited by his henchmen and told to hand over my keys. He had fired 3 secretaries at 3 former churches where he served. All I can say is he must have been burned by one of them – but I have always kept the pastoral confidences. I won’t keep his because I feel no loyalty to someone who fires me. Just a few weeks later, the church hired a younger secretary. I am still trying to recover from this. It’s horrible to lose a career you really loved and was such an integral part of your life for so long – just because some jerk decided to play God with your life! Now I am leery of trusting churches. I know they all aren’t bad, but I am being very careful of churches I visit – and my offerings.
I am the owner/president of a new business; Vox and Company. We do many things. But our Whetstone division places worship leaders/musicians in churches and churches contact us to find them worship leaders/musicians. (See http://www.voxandco.com).
I totally agree with you on age discrimination. After being in the music ministry/pastorate for over 40 years, I am able to place the right people in the right ministry positions as a result of my experience and expertise. However, I do get the age thing from pastors because of churches wanting to be “hip” “cookie cutter” and just like the latest church from Hillsong or any other church who wants to be like the one the pastor gushes over.
This is a great article articulating the problems not only with Baptists but with Methodists, Pentecostals or fill in the blank.
Like him or not, SBC members don’t like the Catholic church, Pope Francis is 80 years old. There is something to be said about how the Catholic Church respects its elders.
At the time of this comment, over 100 responses! Apparently, you’ve hit a nerve, Thom! Understandably so. I’m 56. I’m currently in a ministry position but I’ve also been looking at other opportunities for several years. Clearly, my age is a negative to many churches. 34 years of experience is far overshadowed by “we need someone who can reach young families…” First, who says a guy in his mid-50’s cannot reach young families?! Second, while I do believe age to be a valid consideration, why does it trump so many other valid considerations?! Doesn’t make sense. Here is my observation from recent experiences with churches who were searching for a pastor: Prayer is not the number one factor. In many cases, prayer is an add-on; an afterthought. What IS priority in many churches/search committees? The profile…which is often based on church surveys or denominational recommendations. This makes me very sad–not so much for myself. I’m fine. But sad for the state of American evangelical churches. Many of these churches would never have hired some of the great men of God in Scripture…which based on current criteria for hiring would’ve labeled them “unqualified.”
I am a 43 year old worship pastor who plays guitar and keys proficiently, holds a degree in music and keeps up with current trends. I have been leading since college and feel I am just now mature enough to truly lead a multi-generational church effectively. Spiritually, musically, administratively in am hitting the best stride I ever have. Regardless, every church I have talked with for a position (7) have said being over 40 is a disqualifier.
After doing music ministry over 30 years, I have never had such obvious age discrimination. At 56 I am very experienced and can play piano better than most other musicians I have met (not trying to be prideful just trying to show I am more than qualified) I can lead from piano or guitar. I play all the current music and One church told me straight out they wanted someone around 25. If I wanted to I could turn them over to the EEOC. What they are banking on is that I will act more Christlike than they will. Well since I WILL act more Christlike, that means they will not be held accountable. I know eventually they will have to answer to The Lord for rejecting a very talented experienced person, but it still is very discouraging that at 56 my ministry is over. They never tell you in Bible college you would “age out” of the music ministry. To most of these churches you are “dead” to them . It is very sad commentary when I could pick up the phone and call people at the music studio I teach piano at and have a gig for the weekend (something I have no interest in because the music is meaningless without Christ in it) , but the church wants youth. I guess they forget how old Moses was, or Abraham or countless others that God used throughout history. The churches in America (for the most part) are spoiled and arrogant. Rejecting what God sends them when churches in other countries would give anything to have the same privileges . So at 56 I am left asking what do I do with the rest of my life for The Lord? If I live as long as some of my family I have 40 more years here. So all you other worship leaders now being told “your services are no longer required”….what have you done at this new crossroads of your life? I never thought a servant of The Lord “retired” unless he retires to heaven.
hi brothers Good Morning ,i am Pastor Rashid from Pakistan .because you are doing work for Growth of churches i am going to request to you all for my church ,not just my church but all of are around us doing work. This, we are living in poor society, we do not have much sources to develop our churches ,for evangelism work ,for bible study, for Sunday school ministry etc.. so i want to you do help us to development of churches and if you want visit this area and want look all work and churches so most welcome you can come to see .God Bless You all Glory for Jesus Name
I have a Doctorate in Preaching and 28 years pastoral experience. However, I am 58 years old and started looking for a new church when I was 55 years old. In three years, I have had two interviews. Although not directly stated, I believe my age was a problem. Although I am youthful and in good shape, the only thing search committees see is – 58 years old. Well, I think search committees are foolish not to consider pastors like myself. We have made all the rookie mistakes that younger pastors make, have learned what works and what doesn’t and if I may say this, have a better understanding of life than younger pastors. Plus, most younger pastors are trying to climb the corporate latter or trying to move up. However, I am thankful for younger pastors because they are the next wave of church leaders. Oh, well, God is still on the throne!
Corporations are leaning towards more seasoned employees and welcome some gray hair. Within my complany of 10,000 we have seen the average hire age increase by 7 years. Securlism may see the light, wake up church! Many are working past “retirement” becausee they love their job.
I have now been rejected over 90 times for a new position. Why? Age. Churches are bad, but the recruiters for churches are the worst with discriminatory practices that favor much younger applicants. The last three positions I applied for, I exceeded all of the requirements that were stated on paper. I received a cursory “thanks but there are more qualified applicants.” If that is the case, they must be in their 80’s. This is illegal, immoral, and sinful. It is a reason why many churches today are not growing at all. The problem, sin in the camp, the sin of ageism. As a result, I am now praying about planting a church. I know my Savior will not reject my application solely because I am 65.