22. Young Adult Clergy: Our "Endangered Species"
Another of Lovett Weems’ “Provocative Questions” (see previous post, or access Lovett’s website) is “Shall we declare young United Methodist clergy as an endangered species?”
Once more there was chuckling among the Bishops at the Council meeting. But I wasn’t laughing; instead I was shouting out “Yes!”
Dr. Weems reminded us that a few decades ago, nearly 15% of clergy were under the age of 35. Now it’s less than 5%. In many conferences, it’s about 3%. This is deeply disturbing. Yes, God continues to provide many persons for ministry of all ages, and these bring rich gifts to ministry. But the lack of young adult clergy leadership means we have lost perhaps our most effective voices in reaching the generations who are not present in our churches.
There are many causes and results of our shortage of younger clergy. (Maybe one of the causes is our lengthy and complex candidacy and ordination process that takes more than 35 years to complete! Sorry, I’ll refrain from such outbursts as best I can.)
A result of so few young adult clergy and laity in our churches is that our leadership becomes disproportionately skewed toward older adult perspectives, issues, worship styles, and ways of understanding, experiencing and communicating the gospel. This means that at most discussions about what to do to reach young adults, most of the people leading, talking, and deciding are older adults, myself included. (I can say this now. I just turned fifty two months ago, making me “old” by the standards of our culture, (qualifying for AARP discounts!) while at the same time being the second youngest of US bishops) .
I dream of a church that cares about what young adults care about instead of one that seeks to make young adults fit our mold. We all want young people….as long as they act like old people! That will never work.
People make several of their most important and enduring major life decisions while they are in their twenties…about love, relationships, and marriage, about vocation and career, about parenting. I dream of a church ready to offer the heart of Christ and the wisdom and relationship of God in a manner that is approachable, appealing, and authentic.
Recently, I gathered a group of benefactors and leaders of the Missouri Conference to discuss how to use their leadership and resources to impact the future of the church. They expressed a particular interest in reaching young adults. So I asked them to fund a gathering, a first attempt, an engagement with our young adult clergy. Rather than asking two or three young adult clergy to meet with a room full of older folks, we decided to fill the room with younger adult clergy, with only a couple of us listening in. After the first of the year, we’ll invite (all expenses paid) all the ordained and commissioned clergy of the Missouri Conference under 35 years of age (there are about 30 of them) to meet together for twenty-four hours. I look forward to asking them how they would do annual conference, what they would suggest to attract younger adult clergy, how they would initiate change, foster mission, start churches, do appointments, reach youth.
Every conference must find its own way on this issue. But I consider young adult clergy to be our endangered species. In the natural world, when scientists declare a species endangered, they endeavor to learn about where they come from, what they need, where they are going, what feeds them, how to help protect them, and how they can benefit us all. Maybe that’s the discussion that needs to begin across all of United Methodism. Thanks, Lovett!
Grace and Peace,
rs
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1. Andy B. wrote on 12/10/2007 5:06:02 PM
Way back when I was a young adult clergy (eight months ago), one of the things that made me most uncomfortable was being referred to as "young adult clergy" instead of just "clergy." I didn't like the feeling of being categorized by age; there is as much diversity among the young as there is among everybody.
So now that I'm 36, shall I call myself a "regular adult clergy" or something? A "middle-aged clergy"? :)
2. Kevin A. Buckrucker, Sr. Co-Lay Leader, Heartland North District wrote on 12/10/2007 5:59:57 PM
Amen Bishop Schnase!
Now consider as we again challenge our clergy to shoulder the leadership responsibility of seeking answers to finding an entire lost demographic; why let laity off the hook? Dr. Weems' questions are wonderfully thought provoking for reviewing the State of the Church report, and assessing the direction God sets forth in evaluating our denomination; correct me if I am wrong, but the audience he was addressing was ... Clergy?
Laity has an important role in this challenge of shared church leadership, one we (laity) must also move to embrace in new and innovative ways alongside clergy, not to supplant the leader in the pulpit, but to advocate for, and support collectively their vision, and work together to live out the Great Commission.
I dream of a church FULL of leaders, clergy and laity moving in a Christ like direction of ministering to their communities and beyond in a shared effort. Please don't give a free pass to the leaders in the pews, engage them along the way with our clergy to carry out the mission and all will be accountable.
Consider asking these “younger” clergy to bring along a similar aged advocate leader, or laity partner to the gathering, after all, some of these laity leaders may be the next to explore the call to ordained ministry, might make for an interesting empowerment opportunity and discussion.
Meantime, our church leaders should refresh in our hearts and minds the importance John Wesley placed on societies for change being led by all of its members, and I pray this and other challenges of the UMC in the millennium are lifted by many hands, many leaders hands, to lessen the weight for all.
I believe Dr. Weems’ “10 Provocative Questions Inspired by the 2007 State of the Church Report” he posed to the Council of Bishops is available on this website – wonderful reading for all United Methodists.
What a blessing to serve and participate in a conference tackling the tough questions about church excellence and seeking God's guidance to reach that goal; bringing more to know Christ's grace. Amen Bishop. Amen.
3. Cara wrote on 12/11/2007 7:07:08 PM
As a "young adult" clergy, I am amused by how people want to attract more of us. And yet, are unwilling at times to change the way they do things, talk about things, and in general accept and appreciate the different ways we do ministry. We often talk about the amazing variety of experiences that come from older clergy but we find it difficult to see the benefits and "qualified" voices of the young. I applaud the Missouri conference for getting the younger clergy together. And I pray that those listening in may be willing to hear the new ideas as well as granted the courage to enact change.
4. Susan Cox-Johnson wrote on 12/14/2007 12:34:35 AM
As a d.s., I think I have a special responsibiltiy to be nurturing all of our new clergy, and espcially our young ones. With Saint Paul near by, our district has the opportunity to receive many student local pastors. Just a shout out to those small churches who for more than 50 years have been nurturing young clergy who are so very new at what they are doing. I am constantly pleased and amazed at how open these churches tend to be about accepting change, and newness. At Turney this year, when they received a student (okay, not a tenty five year old but a great one in Judy Frost!) and she wanted to celebrate communion every Sunday for a while, the PPR said "great!" I asked them how they preferred to receive (little cups, intinction, etc.) and they answered, "oh we like it all." Which is not always the answer you get from some other churches. Just an example of how flexibility and acceptance of the "new" or the "young" can be a blessing for all.
5. Gene Roncone wrote on 9/11/2009 11:01:13 AM
Read your comments about exploring the call of God. Would be interested in your thoughts on the site www.explorethecall.com
view more discussions throughout the site