Thom S. Rainer's Blog, page 24

Are Pastors Retiring at an Older Age Now? (And Other Age-Related Issues)

The two leading presidential candidates in the polls today are 81 years old and 77 years old.

Bob Iger returned to Disney as CEO. He will be 73 years old in February.

Football coaches are getting older. Nick Saban and Mack Brown are both 72 years old.

What about pastors? Are they retiring later in ministry? Are they following the trends of others in the workforce? You might be surprised at the answers.

Retiring Later?

On the surface, it does look like pastors are retiring at an older age. According to the research by the Faith Communities Study, the average age of a pastor is 57 years old compared to 50 years old in 2000. Compare that number to the median U. S. age of 38, and it does seem likely that pastors are waiting later to retire (and, yes, I wish I wasn’t comparing an average age to a median age).

We have worked with hundreds of older pastors. Some simply don’t feel a call to leave their churches. Some admit that they are not financially prepared to retire. And others actually stay in ministry longer knowing that their church will have increasing difficulty finding the next pastor. The shortage of pastors is real and acute.

But the issue of older pastors and fewer retiring pastors does not tell the whole story. There is more we must consider.

The Matter of Fewer Persons Entering Vocational Ministry

The Faith Communities Study also noted the declining enrollment of most seminaries, particularly the number of those who are preparing to be a pastor. Simply stated, there are fewer younger persons preparing for ministry and, again, even fewer preparing for pastoral ministry.

The older pastors are hanging around. But there are fewer younger pastors available to replace them. There are approximately 400,000 Protestant churches in America. Many of them can’t find a pastor. Others will soon be in the same predicament. If our churches are not at a point of crisis now, they will soon be.

The Exacerbating Issue of Pastoral Dropout

I have yet to see a conclusive study about the rate of pastor’s quitting or getting fired. Sure, you can find one study that looked longitudinally at the rate of pastor dropout and concluded that it was lower than previous estimates. Or you can look at another study that looks at the percentage of pastors that are considering quitting, and the result is very high. My guess is that if the study was done on Mondays only, it would be even higher!

While we may not know the precise number of pastors quitting, getting fired, or quietly moving to another vocation, we know that the number is not small. Anecdotally, our team found that the largest group of those quitting ranged in age from 35 to 45.

Do you see the cumulative picture? Older pastors are hanging on longer in vocational ministry. Fewer younger pastors in their 20s or early 30s are entering ministry. And the likely largest group of pastors quitting or getting fired is relatively young.

Pastors are fewer in numbers, and those who remain are significantly older. Where do we go from here?

To the Future of Churches and Their Leaders

I have advocated for a greater emphasis on bivocational pastors and co-vocational pastors for years. Similarly, I hope we will have more non-traditional ministry training and education to accompany the traditional path of colleges and seminaries.

But I believe there is much more to be done. In many ways, the solutions I advocate are still part of the old wineskin. I wish I was smart enough to predict what the new wineskin will look like.

In the meantime, we wait on God because the future is His future. We can all sense that major change is coming even though we may not have a clear picture of what it will look like.

You see, aging pastors are just a symptom of the changing times. The fact that enrollments of seminaries are down is but another sign that God is changing the landscape of the local church yet again.

I would love to hear from you. What do you think the new wineskin for local church ministry will look like in ten years? What are you seeing God do that is anew and fresh?

Let us know. We wait to see what God will do next.

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A Guide to Intentional Christmas Events for Ministry to Women

The twinkle of Christmas lights, the warmth of shared laughter, and the joy of coming together in celebration—this season offers a beautiful opportunity to create intentional and memorable events within your church’s women’s ministry. As we approach the Christmas season, let’s explore how we can plan gatherings that not only reflect the true spirit of Christmas but also foster a sense of community, connection, and lasting moments for truth.

1. Embrace the Spirit of Giving

Christmas is all about giving, and a down-to-earth way to embody this spirit is by organizing a thoughtful gift exchange for specific groups within your community—whether it’s local foster children, single moms, or residents of nursing homes. While many of us look forward to festive parties and family get-togethers, extending that joy to those who might be feeling overlooked can bring warmth to their holiday season. By including these special groups, it feels like an intentional and personal invitation and is a great way to form relationships and connections with others in your community. 

2. Host a Festive DIY Workshop

Tap into the creativity within your group by organizing a festive do-it-yourself (DIY) workshop. Whether it’s crafting personalized ornaments, designing holiday wreaths, or creating handmade Christmas cards, a DIY workshop allows women to express their creativity while enjoying each other’s company. Finish the night with a small reflection and bible lesson on how God has made us as image bearers to reflect his creativity and purposes to a hurting and broken world. It’s a wonderful way to bond, share talents, and leave with tangible mementos of the event that will remind each woman for years to come of who their Creator is and their purpose in this life. 

3. Cultivate Meaningful Conversations

Christmas is a season of reflection and gratitude, and cocoa and conversation is always something that women are up for. Plan an intimate gathering which includes thought-provoking conversation starters or a guided reflection on the true meaning of Christmas. Encourage women to share their favorite holiday traditions, reflect on the past year, and express gratitude for the blessings in their lives. Talk about the hardships that filled the year and how they saw God’s faithfulness. You can make conversation cards to guide women along or you can set the environment with all the goodies, snacks, and background music and leave it to those attending to take it from there (just remember to keep a look out for guests.)

4. Organize a Christmas Brunch & Recipe Swap

A big part of Christmas morning are the sweet treats and casseroles that fill the breakfast table after presents. Make it as fancy or casual as you want with decorated tables and catered food to “Bring Your Own Casserole” with a recipe card to share. Incorporate heartwarming activities where women can share personal stories of faith and Christmas traditions over the delicious food. End your time in prayer together asking the Lord to keep hearts focused on Christ amidst the hustle and bustle.

5. Volunteer Together

Embody the true spirit of Christmas by giving back to the community as a women’s ministry. Plan a day of volunteering at a local shelter, organize a gift-wrapping station for charity, or participate in a community food pantry. Serving together not only strengthens the bonds within the group but also embodies love, generosity, and compassion.

6. Foster a Simple Heart of Worship

This has been my favorite event over the years with my women. Last year we scaled it back and had a time of worship with a guitar, some prayer prompts, and cocoa. The holidays are often crammed with so much on the calendar that a quiet moment to sing, reflect, pray, and read Scripture together was the pause that so many women needed. 

Building Cherished Moments

As we plan intentional and memorable Christmas events for our women’s ministry, let’s remember that the true beauty of the season lies in the connections we forge, the laughter we share, and the memories we create together. Let this Christmas be a time when the women of your church come together around the beauty of Jesus and the hope of Him coming again.

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Why Many Churches Will See Giving Go Down in 2024 (Plus Practical Tactics for Resilient Church Budgeting Amid Declining Giving)

Many church experts (us included!) predicted a dip in church giving when the pandemic hit in 2020. The drop never came. Three significant reasons stand out why church giving remained stable through the pandemic. 

God’s people rallied and supported their churches. While many churches lost people on the periphery, the core remained strong and continued giving. Both governments in the United States and Canada inserted a lot of liquidity into the markets. Cash from the government hit bank accounts directly. Other programs allowed for business owners to apply for significant amounts of funding. Many Christians gave to their churches from these funds. So far, we have avoided a major recession, though rapid inflation and rising interest rates are becoming a problem.

The purpose of this article is not to predict the next recession or economic downturn. Instead, I want

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Christmas Eve Is a Sunday This Year (The Big Opportunity)

The holiday season is demanding. Pastors and church leaders must move from one event to the next in rapid-fire succession. The whirlwind lasts from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day. Most pastors get a small break between Christmas and the New Year, and then it’s time to launch again. Ministry is a grind. The deadlines never end, and Christmas is the busiest and most chaotic season.

Christmas Eve lands on a Sunday this year. I understand the temptation to scale back. We briefly discussed this option at my church. The reality is this Christmas Eve may be one of the biggest opportunities you have for several years to come. You should do more, not less, this year. Here is why.

The unchurched (and dechurched) will show up in greater numbers. Families are often together during this time. That uncle who refuses to attend church will often capitulate and go to a Christmas Eve service since the rest of the family is going together. Those who are detached from the church will often return for sentimental reasons. For most churches, approximately one-third to half of attendees will be guests at a Christmas Eve service. Since December 24th is a Sunday, anticipate more guests, not less.

Everyone can participate together. The unchurched will recognize many Christmas songs, so they are more likely to sing with the congregation. If the New Year is all about resolve, then Christmas is all about hope. Christmas is one of the few traditions in our culture that is universally accepted. Remember, keep it simple and classic. Sing songs everyone knows. It’s not the time to be avant-garde. Most people expect a traditional feel and tone to the service.

Go shorter and make guests feel welcome. Hospitality is your best investment on Christmas Eve. A giant production may be memorable, but people will return because of genuine hospitality. The service should last less than an hour. The message should be about 10 or 15 minutes. Younger families tend to come to an afternoon service, while those without young children prefer an evening service. I recommend having both if possible.

Your tone should be encouraging, not pointed. Should pastors call out the woes of culture and stand against the rising force of secularism? Yes. Is Christmas Eve the right setting for an angry message? No. Be encouraging and communicate the hope of the gospel.

Solve the scheduling dilemma with an easy solution. Since Christmas Eve is a Sunday, how should you structure your service schedule? I recommend having your typical morning services during the usual timeslot, then adding your Christmas Eve services in the afternoon and evening. Your regular people will likely come to both services, while your guests are more inclined to attend the afternoon and evening services. Why do both morning and evening? It could be your highest-attended Sunday in years! Even more importantly, Jesus deserves a giant celebration on His birthday.

Christmas Eve services are always a great opportunity to connect with guests and people from your community. This year could be one of the biggest yet.

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When Pastors Doubt Their Leadership Ability

It is a key issue in pastoral leadership today. 

Here is a quote from a pastor I coach. It is indicative of this issue: “I don’t feel like I am leading well. Sometimes I wonder if God’s anointing and calling is no longer on my life.”

That pastor is not alone. As I work with these pastors, I hear similar themes. What is taking place? Why are doubts creeping into their minds and hearts? Though I am certainly not all-knowing, I do see five key reasons for the doubts. Let’s look at each of them.

1. Attendance is declining or growing too slowly. While this concern was present before the pandemic, it has been pervasive since 2020. While some may argue that we shouldn’t focus on numbers, we must focus on obedience to the Great Commission. Most often that obedience results in numerical growth. The reality, however, is that growth is more difficult than it ever has been in our lifetimes. Cultural Christianity is all but gone. Transfer growth is minimal. It is indeed a new world for churches and her leaders.

2. It is increasingly difficult to get committed volunteers. Most pastors feel this pain point deeply. Commitment levels are waning. One of the issues that exacerbates this problem is the failure of many churches to reduce their activities and programs that make a meaningful difference. Churches should not expect members to volunteer for programs and committees that really have no meaningful purpose.

3. Pastors are wearier than they’ve ever been. Many pastors interpret this post-pandemic weariness to be a sign that they are no longer effective in their ministry. Others feel like the weariness is an indicator of a waning call. Neither are necessarily true. The reality is that the pandemic and its aftermath created angst and, often, depression. It’s more normal than most pastors realize.

4. The critics are louder and more frequent. I have overwhelming anecdotal evidence that this reality is a clear and present pain point for church leaders, particularly pastors. Keep in mind that the weariness and, perhaps, depression, many pastors feel is also felt by church members. They too are hurting. And pastors are often a convenient target to direct their anger.

5. Church giving is declining. This reason has many of the same roots as declining attendance. But declining giving likely has many immediate consequences. Ministries are cut. Personnel are let go or moved to part time. Mission giving by the church declines. And, in many cases, pastors themselves must take pay cuts or move to bivocational status.

These issues are real and present. The pain is undeniable. 

It is time for major leadership adjustments among pastors. These changes are not a sign of poor leadership; they are signs of needed leadership changes. Even Moses had to change his leadership approach in the wilderness. For that, we are ever thankful for his father-in-law, Jethro.

I am moving much of my focus to working directly with pastors to help them make leadership adjustments. I am not smarter than they are. But I do have the joy of hearing from thousands of pastors and church leaders every year. And Church Answers continuously does research on churches and the culture in which they engage.

I am opening ten new coaching spots to work with pastors, church leaders, and denominational leaders to share what we’ve learned about the changes churches and church leaders must make. I will begin by introducing the Simple Church Growth Model , which combines the incredible Great Commission ministry of The Hope Initiative with the clutter-removing discipleship of Simple Church. If you desire to be one of the ten leaders in this coaching cohort, sign on the link below.

Thom is opening ten spots for church and denominational leaders to introduce the Simple Church Growth Model . He will lead this cohort himself. The cost is $250/month for six months and includes Platinum membership at Church Answers. First come, first serve. Join today: https://churchanswers.com/solutions/coaching/cohorts/the-simple-church-growth-model/

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The Top Ten Misaligned Priorities in Struggling Churches

Churches decline for two main reasons—both having to do with a shift in priorities. First, they lose passion for the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. Second, as a result, they no longer give God glory. When a church no longer pushes outward with the gospel, the people will no longer look upward to God’s glory. A church lacking both an outward and upward perspective will inevitably move in the other two directions: inward and downward. Inward churches always decline.

Misaligned priorities happen over time, and they pile up on each other. What do they look like in a church?

Nostalgia is more prevalent than devotion. The church’s history is discussed more than the Bible. The past is the hero, not Jesus. People are more upset when something is out of place in the heritage room than they are with knowing their neighbors are lost. Memories of the past bring more emotion than the mission of the present.Polity is an end, not a means. People refer to the bylaws as if they should never change. In this environment, the church’s governance dictates how the church ministers. Business meetings are often rancorous, and parliamentary procedures are used as leverage rather than a simple means of conducting business. Loyalty to the denomination is more important than the people’s loyalty to each other. Pastoral tenures are short.Traditions detach the church from community culture. The church rebels against looking like the community. In the worst cases, the church grows to resent the community rather than loving the neighborhood. These churches hang on to traditions that hinder the work of the gospel.Debt becomes a drain on resources. There are good uses of borrowing. Sometimes a needed capital project would not happen without a modest level of debt. But if more than twenty percent of the budget is used for debt service, cash problems can become a problem. Debt-heavy churches often must defer facility maintenance in order to pay the bank.Preferences override God’s mission for the church. Internal hostility over preferences puts people at odds with each other. Rather than fighting a battle against the spiritual forces of darkness, the church becomes a battleground for pet programs, favorite songs, styles of worship, and approaches to ministry.Generational power struggles exist. The older generation clings to power. The younger generation refuses to accept responsibility. Families are split as some leave for other churches. The church struggles to find multigenerational teams of volunteers. The older generation comes to one service while the younger generation attends another.The church becomes a platform for leaders. When priorities are misaligned, success is more important than accountability. In extreme cases, the power structure hides sin issues among the leaders. Leaders care more about their own reputation than serving the church. They use the church to further their own endeavors in the community.Comfort with the status quo outweighs a willingness to sacrifice. In this environment, apathy becomes a contaminant, polluting the mission of the church. Status quo churches act more like social clubs than kingdom outposts. Groups in the church are less about Bible study and prayer and more about friendship cliques in which outsiders are not welcome.The people have an unhealthy fixation on the church’s facilities. The congregation cares more about the building than they do about people in the community. For many, the building is the church. In severe cases, the church campus becomes an idol. More time is spent discussing the building than anything else.Gossip is common, and evangelism is not. Gossip fosters an environment of distrust and suspicion. Gossip can create unnecessary conflict and tension between people. In these struggling churches, the unifying force of evangelism is not present.

Misaligned priorities happen over time, and the gradual shift causes the misalignment to go unnoticed. Rarely does improvement occur without intentional leadership. How do you start realignment? Get the church moving outward. The Great Commission is the way to begin a great realignment.

This article is adapted from an excerpt in The Church Revitalization Checklist: A Hopeful and Practical Guide for Leading Your Congregation to a Brighter Tomorrow, published by Tyndale. 

Get certified in Church Revitalization through Church Answers and help move churches from flatlined to flourishing!

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An Urgent Plea to Churches

I admit it: I’m pleading with church leaders with this post. I’m pleading on behalf of 19 million people in the United States. 

This past weekend, I led a collegiate conference at a local church. Every time I speak to college students, I’m reminded of two things: (1) they bring enthusiasm and potential to a local church, and (2) many, if not most churches—unlike the church where I did the conference—do a poor job of reaching these students. In fact, many churches lose their high school graduates when they go to college and don’t regain them (if they do) until they get married and have children. 

So, here’s my heartfelt plea: reach, equip, and send out college students. In this post, my goals are to motivate you to reach collegians and to offer some ways to move in that direction. EVERY church, regardless of size, can do something. 

Why We Need to Reach Collegians

Why do I want you to accept this plea? 

College students are at a significant juncture in life—stepping into their own lives and forming their own conclusions and beliefs. That context generally makes them more open to talking about options, including Christianity. They are questioning, inquisitive, and listening. They make real commitments when they genuinely choose to follow Christ. Their passion and faith sometimes put mine to shame. They’re unafraid to stand alone. They take notes when listening to the Word. They want their friends to know Jesus. They accept the challenge to go to the nations. God has often begun awakenings with college students. In the Second Great Awakening, God moved at places like Hampden-Sydney College and Williams College (where the “Haystack Meeting” occurred). The 1970 revival that began at Asbury College in Kentucky spread to multiple campuses in the U.S.—and we recently saw glimpses again of that movement. God could do the same today. They represent a global mission field. More than 1 million international students are attending US colleges and universities. They’ve come here to study—but perhaps God brought them here to hear the gospel. I’ve met many students over the years who first learned of Jesus and chose to follow Him because of a collegiate ministry, and I’ve known some who took the gospel back to their home country. They rightly challenge us to explain our faith. They’re not interested in superficial, routine Christianity. Rather, they want authenticity, depth, and relevance—and they’re unafraid to ask questions we should be ready to answer. 

First Steps to Reach Collegians

So, where might we start? 

Enlist a point person to oversee renewed efforts to reach collegians through your church. That person may be a lay leader or a staff member, but someone needs primary responsibility to keep these efforts in the forefront of the church. Ask God to direct you to that right person. And, if you’re the lead pastor, please hear me: if this burden is not your burden, neither will it become the burden of your church. It begins with you. Start where you can: reach out to your church’s high school graduates who are now in college. Set up a regular electronic meeting to check on them. Let them know you’re praying for them. Send them care packages. Encourage them to find a strong local church where they attend school. If your church’s college students haven’t heard from you in a long time, your church needs to shepherd them better.  Connect with Christian ministries on campuses near where your church meets. Somebody who oversees student life on the campus can help you make that connection. Ask those ministry leaders how you and your church might assist them in reaching their campus. Meet with their students and ask the same question. You need these ministries, and they need you as an interested, committed local church. Enlist at least one small group in your church to adopt a college student. I’m convinced that many college students want older, faithful adults to invest in their lives, and they welcome the opportunity to get to know others. Even if only one small group adopts one college student, your church will have already strengthened your collegiate ministry. Don’t just ignore this post. I’m sure, especially because it’s Thanksgiving week, it would be easy to lay this post aside and do nothing. Again, I plead with you: do something to reach college students!

I’ve said a prayer for all our readers today. God bless your efforts!

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5 Surprising Approaches Churches Are Using to Increase Attendance

I like outliers. 

Outliers are, by their definition, exceptions to the rule. They are different from others.

Our Church Answers team closely watches church attendance, especially attendance since the pandemic. Most churches had a decline in attendance. Since many of these congregations are intentional about recovering from the decreases, we note what approaches these churches take. 

Our team reports trends among large numbers of churches. But some churches are growing using approaches that don’t match the current trends. Here are five surprising practices a few churches are using to increase attendance. 

Subtract and add. One church used the pandemic to review all of its ministries and programs. The church leaders realized they had too much activity with little fruit. So, they decided to eliminate the time-wasting activities. They moved methodically, at times slowly, lest they engender too much conflict. Over the past three years, the church has eliminated six programs and activities that were largely unfruitful. But they took it one step further. The leaders committed to adding a Great Commission or outwardly focused ministry whenever they saw the need to introduce something new to the church. They have to date added two of those ministries. The net result is the removal of six time-draining ministries and the addition of two growth-focused ministries. Their attendance has moved from 117 to 154 since this new approach began. Two invite programs a year. Two churches started with similar emphases. Both congregations have two major emphases a year where they attempt to get every member to invite one person to church on a specific date. For one of the two dates, they connect it to a naturally high attendance day like Easter or Christmas Eve. For the other invitation day, they pick a date that is typically a typical attendance day. One pastor told us that his church’s attendance had broken the 200 level for the first time in its history. We did not get specific numbers on the second church, though the pastor commented that this emphasis engendered “healthy attendance growth” for each of the past three years. Church Answers has its own resource for invitation programs called Invite Your One. One More Group. A Midwestern pastor heard one of our podcasts where we talked about the vital importance of groups: community groups, home groups, Sunday school classes, life groups, and others. He led his church to start at least one new group a year. In three years, the church has created five new groups, and the church has nearly doubled in attendance from 80 to 155.  The Hope Initiative. Though this ministry is less than a year old, we are getting growth and renewal reports that far exceed our expectations. A pastor in Kentucky told us that when he came to his church in 2021, attendance was 80 to 100. They have gone through The Hope Initiative twice. Attendance is up to 180, and 15 people have been saved. Evangelism training in new member classes. The first time I heard about a church putting this training in a new member class, my reaction was, “Why haven’t I thought about this before?” This particular church uses the training called “3 Circles.” The app version is called “Life on Mission.” The pastor said he spends about 20 minutes teaching it, confident the new members can use the app from that point forward. Since integrating the training into the new member class three years ago, attendance has increased from 315 to 390. 

Please understand two points about these five approaches. First, they are outliers (though The Hope Initiative may soon defy the definition of an outlier). Most of them are not in widespread use. Second, they are not silver bullets. They are different approaches to obedience to the Great Commission. 

I would love to hear from you. Please share what tools or approaches God is using in your church. Your response would be a blessing to all of us.

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Seven Tips to Make Sermon Points More Memorable

My wife recently found a box of old church bulletins with notes from my previous sermons. She is a prodigious note-taker. These old bulletins contained thousands of sermon points. How many of them did she remember? I didn’t ask. 

Only a few congregants will remember specific points I make in a sermon several years afterward. This reality does not discourage me. Spiritual growth builds over time and works like exercise. You will not likely remember every specific workout, but you will build strength and endurance through regular exercise. Similarly, listening carefully to sermons for years will increase your spiritual maturity. Even if you can’t quote individual sermon points, they build on each other like successive exercise workouts.

Should pastors care about making memorable sermon points?

Yes! When people are more familiar with a subject, they can process information more easily and quickly. Memorability helps people pay attention for longer periods of time. Think of memorable sermon points as the connection between building blocks. Not every point will be remembered, but each one will assist the listener in building knowledge and understanding.

Additionally, any single sermon point may stick to someone in an impactful way. I’ll never forget my college pastor’s definition of passion. He said, “Passion is the degree of difficulty one will endure to reach a goal.” It stuck with me all these years! This one point has guided so much about the way I live. I will endure significant hardships if I’m genuinely passionate about something.

How can you make your sermon points more memorable?

I usually make between three and seven significant points in a sermon. Sometimes, these points build on each other successively. Other times, they serve as an outline. Occasionally, I will use points to lead up to a major conclusion at the end of my sermon. What are some ways to make them more memorable?

1. Include visual cues. Most churches have at least one screen in the worship space. Put each sermon point on the screen. You do not need fancy graphics. The words alone are sufficient when depicted in an easy-to-read font.

2. Use the second person pronoun, “you,” in the sermon point. Including “you” helps people internalize the application of a sermon. For example, “You should have a high view of God’s glory and a humble view of yourself.”

3. Make your sermon point a call to action. I try to include at least one call to action in every sermon. The congregation should be convicted to do more for God at the end of every worship service. This commitment is made clearer when the pastor makes a specific call to action.

4. Explain each point with a “what, so what, now what” structure. Start with what and give the meaning of Scripture. Then, work through so what and help your congregation understand why this meaning applies to them today. Finally, conclude with now what and share the next step everyone needs to take.

5. Keep people focused with occasional pictures on the screen. For example, I recently talked about Obadiah Holmes in a sermon, and I showed a nineteenth-century etching of him while I shared his story. I’m unsure if a picture is worth a thousand words, but they help retain information.

6. Avoid obscure terms or technical words. If you want it to be memorable, make it simple. Theological jargon may be impressive, but it has a limited sticky factor.

7. Demonstrate empathy while making your point. When you connect with how people feel, they are more likely to accept your proposed solution and believe it to be attainable. Empathetic sermon points are more memorable. Additionally, sensationalism and inflammatory statements are easily remembered but often have little personal impact. Empathy is a much better approach to memorability with a positive benefit. 

While pithy statements do not make the sermon, memorable points help people absorb what you are trying to teach. After finding the stash of old sermon notes, my wife debated whether not to toss them. I gave her permission to clear up the shelf space. They were not keepsakes. Her passion to live out the sermon points was far more important to me.

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The ONE Big Change Taking Place in Church Hiring Practices (and It’s Under the Radar)

It is a movement. It is an undeniable movement.

In the midst of all the changes taking place in churches, this one factor is rarely mentioned. For sure, a lot of the focus has been on change in churches since COVID. I get that. The pandemic and quarantine changed much of society including churches. That focus does not need to be ignored.

But, even before the pandemic, there was a massive change taking place in church hiring practices. Because most of us looked at the change itself rather than the cause, we missed the big picture. It is indeed the one big change taking place in church hiring practices.

Don’t leave me when I tell you what the change is. Stay with me as I explain the causes of the change. That’s where the movement is taking place.

First, here is the change. There is a massive movement from full-time church staff to part-time. Don’t yawn. You probably know that reality already. But second, here is the overall reason for the change. Church leaders view staff positions dramatically differently than they did just ten years ago. 

More church staff are indeed becoming part time. That’s the “what.” But let’s uncover the “why” to explain this movement.

The very nature of what church staff do has changed dramatically. I can remember not too long ago when I was asked to rank the order of hiring church staff: worship, education, students, children, and others. Church leaders no longer have cookie cutter ideas of what the next staff person should be. They know that the context of their community and of their church is not like any others. They often thus hire part time as a test because they have never hired a person with the new and specific ministry responsibilities.Churches are no longer seminary or college dependent for staff. If someone has a residential theological degree, he or she is likely expecting to be hired full time. The time and expense of their training demands full-time compensation. But churches are now more likely to hire someone locally or internally without seminary training. These persons are typically part-time.There are many specialized ministry positions that are best filled by part-time staff. I remember when I was a pastor in St. Petersburg, Florida. I hired my first staff person who was able to lead both education and youth. I was fortunate. I was even more fortunate to find someone for my next staff person who led both worship and evangelism. That was a rarity. Today, if you bring on someone to your staff to lead evangelism, that person is more likely to be part time. I know of a church that created ten part-time positions at the same personnel cost of two full-time staff. They are thus able to have staff persons with highly focused responsibilities. It has proven especially advantageous for them to hire some younger staff who are tech-savvy.The co-vocational movement is growing rapidly. We make a subtle distinction between “bi-vocational” and “co-vocational.” The former describes persons who get part-time compensation because the church cannot afford otherwise. The latter refers to staff who desire to keep their job in the marketplace, but to work on a church staff part time. I am familiar with churches that have physicians, professors, plumbers, building contractors, and others on their staff. These co-vocational staff love having one foot in the marketplace of secular jobs while working with a church as a part-time side gig.Technology allows part time for what used to be full time. We no longer need assistants who work in the church building. Though we still have much to learn about artificial intelligence, it is taking on more tasks historically assigned to real people. We are now more mobile than ever. We can now hire a part-time assistant in Idaho when we live in Tennessee (I did just that with Belay).

For certain, the traditional motivation of hiring part-time staff for pure economic reasons is still present and active. But the big change is the strategic decision to move to part-time staff for one or more of the reasons listed above. The “why” is indeed more important than the “what.” That is the incredible movement taking place

I would love to hear from you about your staff hiring practices at your church.

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