Sectional Presbyter can't get a transfer
 

A good friend of mine is Sectional Presbyter in a particular AG district.

He has been pastoring the same church for 23 years and has served as SP for nearly 10.

He and his wife are both in their early to mid 50's and have no kids.

Sensing that it is time for a change, they have been applying for open pastoral spots in another district. In spite of maturity, relative youth, life experience, pastoral and executive experience, no family distractions, and incredible endorsements from their district and national headquarters, they keep getting tuned down in church after church. The reason? The reason has been the same in every church. The churches prefer a couple between 35-40 years of age with kids, "in order to attract young married couples."

What hogwash. But I do not find this surprising in the least with so much emphasis being placed on "church growth". In my friend they would have wisdom, incredible knowledge of the word, and more time to devote to ministry due to his want for children. But the yuppy millennials know better.

Re: Sectional Presbyter can't get a transfer
 

Church leadership should arise from within the local assembly whenever possible. Outside leaders should be temporary, to get the local assembly to a point of maturity where God can raise leadership up from among the members.

The hogwash is the unbiblical ecclesiastical system your friend is married to. That hogwash begins with a failure to recognize what regeneration consists in, Biblically, and culminates in denominationalism. He ought to be born again and placed into the local church of Jesus Christ.

Or, he can stay in a denomination and complain about the system he chooses to be part of.

Re: Sectional Presbyter can't get a transfer
 

I don't disagree with you. But the same disrespect for elders could also arise within the house church movement.

Re: Sectional Presbyter can't get a transfer
 

Oh, I certainly don't deny that. But the issue isn't even "house church vs XYZ". The term house church is becoming institutionalized in its own way. The issue, as always, is "What does the BIBLE say, and are we gonna do the Word, or do our own thing?"

Re: Sectional Presbyter can't get a transfer
 

If I guy is looking to represent Jesus Christ to a lost world, he won't have any trouble finding opportunities even though it may mean some personal sacrifice. If a guy is looking for a cushy, comfortable position as a career minister, that's a different ball game altogether.

Re: Sectional Presbyter can't get a transfer
 

That's sad.

Maybe he should pray and present his vision for reaching the 35-40 crowd.

Re: Sectional Presbyter can't get a transfer
 

As both someone who grew up as a Pastor's kid and someone who has been in ministry as an associate Pastor, being a Pastor is anything but "cushy" and "comfortable." At least for most ministers. There is a great deal of personal sacrifice for the majority of Pastors.

Re: Sectional Presbyter can't get a transfer
 

That is hogwash. This isn't the first I've heard of age discrimination in the church. I've had worship leader friends who are in their late 30s and 40s who have been told by the church they were attending that they were being replaced by someone younger, more relatable to the youth and young adult crowd they were aiming for.

Re: Sectional Presbyter can't get a transfer
 

How do you make room for the younger generation?

Re: Sectional Presbyter can't get a transfer
 

Good question. I don't believe the answer is kicking out those above a certain age.

It's good that Apo/Pen churches have started addressing multiculturalism. Next subject is multi-generational. How do we, as you asked, make room for the younger generation -- but not do so at the expense of casting aside or forgetting the middle-aged or elders?

Shoot, I'm 41. I feel I'm finally beginning to hit my peak, not going downhill!