Young pastors growing in numbers, differ with their older colleagues in shaping ministry

(RNS) The number of young Protestant senior pastors has doubled in the last two years, from 22,000 to more than 45,000, a Barna Research Group study has concluded.

The Ventura, Calif.-based marketing research company found that younger pastors, ages 20 to 38, also are choosing to shape the ministry of their congregations in ways that differ from their older colleagues.

For instance, 32 percent of the younger pastors use drama and 30 percent show movies, videos, and DVDs as they preach. Among older pastors, 21 percent said they use such techniques.

While both the younger and older groups of pastors are equally likely to prioritize preaching and teaching, evangelism and worship, the younger pastors are more focused on families and spiritual growth. Forty-six percent of the younger pastors prioritize ministry to families, youth, and children, compared to 30 percent of the older generation. And 37 percent of them focus on spiritual growth, discipleship, and Bible study, compared to 27 percent of the older pastors.