WASHINGTON, DC – The trend of a modest but steady increase in the number of clergy under 35 has stalled, according to the Clergy Age Trends in the United Methodist Church report released today by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary. The annual report is prepared in partnership from Wespath Benefits, formerly the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church. This research examines elders, deacons, and local pastors.
Highlights of 2017 report:
Number of Young Elders Shows Downturn in 2017
Since the low point for young clergy in 2005, there has been a modest but steady increase in the presence of clergy under 35. Unfortunately, while the percentage for young elders remained near seven percent in 2017, the total number declined by 53 in 2017, the largest drop in over a decade. By contrast, the number and percentage of young deacons continues to increase, though the numbers are much smaller.
First Declines in Young Women Elders
The increase in young elders since 2005 has come from clergywomen. In 2017, there are 104 more young women elders than in 2005, while there are four fewer young men elders than in 2005. However, in the last two years, the number of young women elders has declined for the first time since our reporting began. There are 34 fewer young women elders in 2017 than a year ago. Their percentage of all young elders declined to 39 percent after reaching a high of 41 percent in 2015.
Middle Age and Older Clergy Mirror Recent Trends
The makeup of middle age elders, deacons, and local pastors (ages 35 to 54) and older (ages 55 to 72) remained proportionately about the same as last year. These percentages tend to be record lows for the middle age group and record highs for the older cohort.
Age of Retirement Continues to Rise
One factor leading to the increase in older clergy is the higher age at which clergy retire. Since 2000 there has been a fairly consistent increase in the age of retirement. The average age at which United Methodist clergy retired in 2000 was just under 64. By 2016, the average retirement age had increased to over 66. The retirement age in 2016 for elders was 66, deacons, 67, full time local pastors, 67, and part time local pastors, 70.
Fewer Elders and More Local Pastors
Since at least the 1980s, there has been a major decline in the number of active elders while the number of local pastors increased dramatically. This pattern continues in 2017. There are 513 fewer elders and 104 more local pastors in 2017 than in 2016. The result is that since 1990 there are 7,355 fewer elders and 3,576 more local pastors. In 1990, there were over five elders for each local pastor; today there are just under two elders for each local pastor. In 2017, there are 14,152 elders and 7,512 local pastors.
Full Report Available for Download
Much more information is available in the completeClergy Age Trends report, which is available as a free PDF download athttp://www.churchleadership.com/clergyage. It shows the average and median ages of elders by United Methodist conference and features a breakdown of young, middle age, and older clergy by conference for elders, deacons, and local pastors. A five-minute video summary of the report is also available on the webpage.
The Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary is pleased to provide this report as a service to the church.
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The Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary is a resource for clergy, lay, and denominational leaders. Through resources, research, and teaching, the Center supports visionary spiritual leaders in addressing issues crucial to the church’s faithful and fruitful witness.
I am curious if we have age and status breakdowns available for PNW or the WJ. Do the trends hold true here? For example what is the ratio of elders to local pastors here? How many pastkrs each in the under 35, 35 to 54 and 55+ categories?
I believe that most of this data is available in the full report. I haven’t had a chance to read through it all myself yet but noticed a percentage uptick for the PNW in Elders under 35 with 11 (7.33%) Here is the direct link: https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Clergy-Age-Report-2017.pdf
Patrick it stands to reason that the PNW and the WJ are seeing younger men and women entering the ministry. The PNW and WJ are more progressive than some other areas of our nation.
We were delighted that Rev. Karen Oliveto was elected bishop, over the objections of some of our more conservative sisters and brothers.
Younger people are no longer tolerating their LBGTQ+ family members or friends having to face discrimination in church whose motto is “Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors.” They will not tolerate their LBGTQ+ friends or family members being unable to marry the person whom they love.
An area that is more loving of all God’s children will attract younger, more clergy, as well as more members to progressive church.
I might add, that it will, also, add more progressive, thinking people, who are not so young, to become church members or attendees.