New Research among Young Clergy
I received an email today with some new research regarding the number of Young Clergy in the United Methodist Church. Since I referenced some of those old figures a few days ago in this post, I thought I would share the update I received.
The Lewis Center has issued a new version of Clergy Age Trends in the UMC containing updated 2008 statistics. The new report, prepared with assistance from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, contains modest good news. The consistent decline in under-35 elders as a percentage of all elders seems to have hit its low point in 2005, when it sank to 4.69%. In 2006 and 2007, the percentage increased to 4.89 percent and 4.92% respectively. In 2008 the number of young elders increased from 876 to 910, and the percentage grew from 4.92 to 5.21% – the first time under-35 elders have surpassed 5% this century. As recently as 1985, young elders represented over 15% of elders. The overall number of elders continues to decline each year.
The five conferences where young elders are highest as a percentage of elders in 2008 are Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama-West Florida, North Alabama, and Oklahoma. The largest number of young elders is found in Western North Carolina with 60. The 2008 report also shows the average and median clergy ages for each conference, as well as the numbers and percentages of young elders, deacons, and local pastors. To review the report online, visit http://www.churchleadership.com/research/um_clergy_age_trends08.htm
A PDF version can be downloaded free of charge.
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