I find myself in a very similar situation. We came to a dying church nearly 4 years ago, and it has nearly turned over completely, so that only 10% of weekly attendance (or less) is from the group that was here 4 years ago. Almost all who are new and are now leaders are in their 20's. I'm the pastor - and I'm 33. I try not to think of the older folks as "obstacles", however. I don't know - it's tough. But it seems that God is in it.

Mike,
Well put...all of it.

How many of these churches with the older members have had numerous pastors over the last decade or so? Many of these churches have been used by the younger pastors to get their time in and a place on the resume before they are "called" up the ladder. So you can't blame the older people who are there year in and year out, and have to finish up what was started, for not jumping on the bandwagon when it roles into town; because their experience has shown them that within about 2.2 years it will role right on out the other side.

There is a pastoral career ladder in every denomination or independent group. Let some of these younger pastors stay somewhere long enough to earn the trust to be followed.

Morris Brooks

Then there are situations like my church--which is only about 2 years old--in which many (though not all) of the older members are resistant to reform. They're not resistant to it because our church has changed leadership so much or anything like that (we've had the same pastor since our inception). Their reasoning is often "I've been a Christian this long without believing [whatever is being argued], so I'm not gonna start now." Again, not all of the older members are like this. But I really do believe God is using some of us young'ins to put to shame those who should, by this point, have more wisdom in those things. I don't mean for that to sound prideful, but I really see that happening a lot today, and as Gavin can attest to, by no means is it just in my church: many younger men are calling for reform according to the Scriptures, and many older members are rolling their eyes at it.

Then there are the older people who are waiting for the reformation, the return to Biblical exposition and application, the end of goofiness in the pulpit, and the sweet fellowship of the church across all age and ethnicity. These older people have tolerated "minister" after "minister" who comes in with the same failed idea they've seen for the past 30 years which boils down to "how can we make church more interesting."

Preach the Word and apply it, don't play the numbers game, be humble, hold your tongue, don't outline a 5-year plan for church growth but present a dedication to spiritual growth. Those older members will find you, embrace and encourage you, and walk with you in ministry.

Personal experience: A new leader of a youth ministry recently came in to a church and declared that he wasn't going to let church be "boring like it has been." He also openly admitted "I'm uncomfortable around adults." (He was over 30!) This, and a self-sufficient attitude alienated the adults that were working with the ministry and they eventually stopped because this leader did not honor them and made them effectively useless except for serving food at parties. The leader then had little direct involvement with adults and eventually fell into a sinful situation because no one was watching. Bottom line: Don't alienated your older adults. Honor them. (They know where all the land mines are. They may even be willing to step on one for you.)

Amen, Bill! I pray more people my age wouldn't think so little of fellowship with the older members, whom they are instructed to glean from. The church I grew up in is certainly what you describe.