Church of God General Assembly, Nashville 2016 "ordained ministers 25…

In Church Growth Seminars, it has always been emphasized that if a local church has a majority of its membership, or those in attendance, that is comprised of older people (age group 50+) as its congregation, it is a dying church. Do you know the same principle applies to the General Church. Notice the attached denominational report of the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) regarding its ministers and pastors. Less than 9% of its pastors are 40 years old or younger. Nearly 22% of its pastors are 41-50 years old, which then means that only about 30% of its pastors are 50 years or younger. The majority of CoG pastors, comprise of nearly 70% are 51+ years old. Do these percentages reveal that the CoG is a dying denomination? If Church Growth Specialists are correct in their assessment of the local church, then surely the same principle is applied to the General Church. And then one must wonder, “What are the pastoral numbers regarding the International Pentecostal Holiness, or even the Assemblies of God?” Do not think that I am critical of the CoG or any Pentecostal denomination because I am not. I am sure the denominations have already been aware of these patterns for some time. No doubt, Church leaders are trying to find the solution to turn around this dilemma. Propositions such as lowering age qualifications, seeker friendly, etc. are being proposed. Perhaps our point of disagreement would be the difference of our answer to this issue. I will hold that for a later post.

Church of God General Assembly, Nashville 2016 “ordained ministers 25 years of age and older” Rationale: “….the motion, if passed, provides greater incentive for attendance to International General Assemblies and ministerial credential advancement….”…