Investing In Future Leaders By Rick Riddering Director of Leadership Development | Central
The most recent average age of pastors in the United States is a little shy of 52 according to DataUSA, a reputable firm focused on sharing a comprehensive visualization of U.S. public data. In fact, just 15 percent of senior pastors are 40 years old or younger. And adding to those startling statistics, nearly one in four U.S. pastors (23%) say “lack of leadership training and development” is a major concern facing their church today, as was reported by Barna Group, widely considered to be the leading research organization focused on the intersection of faith and culture. Faith Church has two distinctive tools to identify and develop talented young people and prepare them for future ministry: college internships and pastoral residencies.
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COLLEGE INTERNSHIPS College interns are hired for 12 weeks, typically in the summer, and are designed to help individuals determine how God is calling them into a career. Likewise, ministry leaders and department directors at Faith Church have an opportunity to personally observe each intern’s skills displayed through their work on projects throughout their internship. Faith Church has hired three interns this summer and one starting in the fall: Will Ryan (Moody Bible Institute) serving in Faith Students Zach Lee (Wheaton College) serving with the Communications Team Megan Kooyenga (Indiana University Northwest) serving in our Reflectors Ministry Kaylee Kuyper (Olivet Nazarene University) will serve in Faith Students at Highland & Munster in the fall
