What Will Happen in Churches When All the Baby Boomers Are Gone?

Rainer on Leadership

A time is coming when the Baby Boomer generation will no longer be present in churches. Our research writer, Ryan Burge, calls it the “Silver Tsunami.” Thom and Sam talk about what church leaders should expect when this generational shift occurs.

1. 1. The average age of a churchgoer is around 60 years old. The time is coming sooner rather than later.
   2. Among weekly church attendees, Boomers account for 36% of the people present, Gen X is 24%, and Millennials are only 19%.
   3. Without drastic changes now, almost every church will be smaller.
   4. Many megachurches will struggle more than smaller churches to replace Boomers.
   5. Volunteerism will drop precipitously.
   6. Church staff positions will become harder to fill.
   7. Neighborhood churches and mid-size churches are best positioned for this demographic reality.

Resources:

• “Life Application Study Bible”

• “Life Application Study Bible” For All Times

• Tyndale House Publishers

• Upward Sports

• “The Coming Silver Tsunami: A Volunteer Crisis in Aging Congregations” by Ryan Burge

• Graphs About Religion

• “Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)

• “The Church Revitalization Checklist: A Hopeful and Practical Guide for Leading Your Congregation to a Brighter Tomorrow” by Sam Rainer (affiliate link)

• My Church Staff – Coming soon!

• Church Answers Central

• The Everything Church Resource Directory

• The Hope Initiative

• Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector

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