Abstract

The church's membership in America has been aging, which indicates there are fewer young people coming into the church. Is this the result of the church's programs for youth or does it indicate a general resistance of the young to the church? Is the future of the church tied to the young or the elderly? Will the young find something in the church to satisfy them if they have had no experience with the church as youth? and what will induce the elderly to stay with the church? These are some of the searching questions facing the church today which will be discussed in this dissertation. ;The first chapter searches out statistics through gallup polls and census reports which reveal trends in church membership and population changes in the United States. ;The next two chapters discuss the denominational and the local church profiles for the affect of changes in polity and aging on declining church membership. They examine the history and background to diagnose the cause and effect of aging in the church and analyze the statistics to show the relationship to the church today and in the future. ;The next four chapters consider the maturing age of members and age in general as a factor in church growth or decline. With the aging of the nation there is a continuous supply of senior citizens coming on the scene. The church can take advantage of this situation by developing plans that have appeal to the elderly and provide an environment that will appeal to them and attract them to the church. With this approach growth is not only possible but probable. ;The final three chapters take up the matter of the church and show how some of the views expressed can be implemented. They sum up some emerging ideas and how they can be worked into a church that is willing to confront the problem. ;The conclusion reviews what has been discussed and what should be done in churches facing these problems. This dissertation is presented with this in view and offers some possible solutions and suggestions for handling the problem of aging in the church and dealing with it in a constructive and meaningful way