The average age of a clergy member today is 57, compared to age 50 in 2000 (Lifeway Research). Half of all American pastors today are older than age 55. In 1992, 24% of all American pastors were older than 55 (Barna).

One of the impacts of these alarming trends? The pastor talent pool is getting shallow. More than a few churches go long stretches without a lead pastor, and if they do have a lead pastor, they are hunting for worship pastors or Next Gen pastors. Every denomination is dealing with this leadership shortage. In today’s episode, we unpack the talent shortage issue and offer four things all of us can do to help address this clear and present danger to the health and well-being of the Church.

Four things we all can do:

• Pray
  • Ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into His field . . .
• Support large events.
• Get healthier as leaders by addressing:
  • Workaholism and the neglect of marriage and family that often comes with it.
  • The isolating nature of lead pastor role.
  • High rates of anxiety and depression.
  • Unhealthy working environments.
• Make disciples.
  • “Many ministry calls happen during the process of being discipled.”
  • Luke 6:12 –18: Jesus was discipling a larger crowd and out of that group he called the apostles.
  • What are the markers of a mature disciple in your church?
  • What systems and assessments are in place to help people achieve those markers?