https://youtu.be/Omm_FpZgytQ Based on a recent article Thom wrote, Sam and Thom dig deeper into the issue of church members' ages. Their thoughts might surprise you. The age of your church members is a significant first impression issue to guests. Understand the importance of the age of attendees more than the age of members. Why is the “median” a vital gauge? You must know your community's demographics (Know Your Community). Are there guidelines or metrics to follow about church attendees' ages? Resources: * Upward Sports California Baptist University “A Simple Formula to Determine If Your Church Members Are Too Old” by Thom S. Rainer * Know Your Community * Church Health Scorecard Get your FREE eBook, Deferred Maintenance Church Answers Central The Everything Church Resource Directory * The Hope Initiative * Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Episode Sponsors: Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.  Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings. At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers. **As a partner of Rainer or Leadership, Upward Sports is offering a $500 sports start up grant to listeners. Head over to Upward.org/ChurchAnswers and schedule a call… tell them we sent you! Your sports grant will assist you in a 2024 LEAGUE! Did you know that fewer than 20% of Southern Baptist pastors have a bachelor’s degree? That is according to a past Pew Research study. How can this be combated and how can we prepare our churches for the future? California Baptist University has a solution. CBU offers a full breadth of courses through its online degree programs. Whether you’re looking to start your degree, finish your degree, or prepare leaders in your church for advancement opportunities, CBU’s degree programs provide a flexible, online learning environment. Classes start every eight weeks, so you can begin any time. An online degree can: Help you gain a better understanding of your life’s purpose; Symbolize competence and integrity in your career; and Provide you with the skills and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of others. Your team may benefit from a degree in business, leadership, finance, communications or Christian studies. There are dozens of online degrees available to you!