Virginia Conference fares pretty well in latest clergy age report
The number of older clergy continues to grow, according to the Clergy Age Trends in the United Methodist Church report released by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership.
Things look much better in the Virginia Conference, which is ranked third among United Methodist annual conferences with highest percentage of young elders, and tied with Western North Carolina for with the highest number of young elders.
The annual report is prepared with assistance from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church; and, for first time since 2008, it includes figures from other denominations.
Data shows that the age of clergy is the highest in history. Among the findings:
• In 2012, the number of older (ages 55-72) United Methodist elders reached a record high 53 percent of all elders. In 2000 older elders represented only 30 percent; the percentage was even lower previously. Older elders reached 50 percent for the first time ever in 2010.
• Older elders make up 57 percent of elders in the Northeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church and 56 percent in the Western Jurisdiction. In 14 annual conferences, 60 percent or more of elders are older.
• The median age of United Methodist elders remains at 55, the highest in history, reached first in 2010. The median age was 50 in 2000 and 45 in 1973.
• The percentage of middle age (35-54) United Methodist elders continues to shrink from 65 percent in 2000 to 41 percent in 2012. The same pattern is seen across the other denominations.
• The percentages of young elders, deacons, and local pastors in the United Methodist Church remained about the same in 2012 as they were in 2011. However, only local pastors saw an increase in their numbers while there were declines in the number of elders and deacons.
• The percentage of middle age (35-54) United Methodist elders continues to shrink from 65 percent in 2000 to 41 percent in 2012. The same pattern is seen across the other denominations.
Locally, the news is better than on the national average. The median age for clergy in the Virginia Conference is 55. The percentage of elders under age 35 is 8.93 percent, a figure that has risen steadily over the past few years.
Virginia trails only the Texas and Mississippi conferences in terms of the highest percentage of young elders. The largest total numbers of young elders are in the Virginia and Western North Carolina conferences, with 60 each. Both conferences showed gains in 2012.
“Fourteen years ago, the Board of Ordained Ministry renewed efforts to strategically focus on encouraging vocational discernment among young people,” said the Rev. Beth Downs, director of the conference Center for Clergy Excellence. “Many clergy and laity in the Virginia Conference have contributed to this effort by personally encouraging young people to consider a call to ministry. The Lewis Center report indicates the fruits of this effort. The Virginia Conference has become known as a place that welcomes and encourages young clergy.”
Twelve percent of deacons in the Virginia Conference are under age 35, and 16 percent of local pastors.
This aging pastorate is also an ecumenical trend, however, not just applying to United Methodists. The percentage of older clergy is rising significantly for many denominations. The Episcopal Church is an exception, as it already had a high percentage as early as 2008.
Clergy Ages 55–72 as Percentage 2008 2012
American Baptist 44% 50%
Christian Church (DOC) 44% 53%
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 44% 54%
Episcopal 59% 59%
Presbyterian Church (USA) 42% 53%
Reformed Church in America NA 47%
United Methodist 46% 53%
More information is available in the complete Clergy Age Trends report, which is available as a free PDF download at http://www.churchleadership.com/research/um_clergy_age_trends12.html?id=ca2012. 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. The report also includes a comparison of clergy age across denominations.
-The Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
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