A recent report from the Barna Group opened the lid to a scary prospect: the aging of America’s pastors. I quickly sat up, adjusted my bifocals, and read on. The news bothered me, but not the way Barna intended.

You see, I don’t think aging is a bad thing. After all, there are perks galore. For example…

There’s nothing left to learn the hard way.

The things I buy won’t wear out.

When I throw a big party, my neighbors don’t complain because they don’t know about it.

My secrets are safe with friends because they won’t remember them.

I mean, things are looking good!

Unfortunately, that wasn’t what Barna had in mind. Their research centered on the aging landscape of church leadership. Here’s the data that caught my attention:

“In 1968, 55% of all Protestant pastors were under the age of 45. Fifty years later, only 22% were under the age of 45. In other words, we have scads of aging pastors and fewer younger ones.”

Barna softens the blow by acknowledging:

1. Life expectancy is ten years longer today than it was 50 years ago.
2. A greater percentage of second-career pastors are in the pulpit today—those who came into ministry from other occupations, thus creating an older starting point.
3. The Great Recession of 2007–2009 drained many pastors of their 401(k)s and home values, and therefore they’re not financially ready to step down.

All that sounds about right. However, it doesn’t answer the bigger question—are younger pastoral candidates in the pipeline to take our places when the time is right? Barna gives a bleak answer to that question…one that I reject.

Barna’s conclusion is that younger prospects are abandoning traditional ministry careers in favor of the easier paths of entrepreneurial start-ups and tech-like industries. In other words, God’s work can’t compete with the new, sexier trades.

That type of thinking bothers me deeply. Barna has focused on the wrong picture. They’re using the same approach Samuel did when God sent the prophet to Jesse’s household to find and anoint King Saul’s replacement. After a quick survey of the assembled sons, Samuel felt certain that the tall, dark, and handsome Eliab was the one. It seemed obvious. He fit the mold. He looked regal. He checked all the boxes…except for one. Eliab wasn’t the one whom God had chosen.

God’s choices rarely stand out.

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at.” (1 Sam. 16:7)

In replacing King Saul, God chose the young, ruddy David—the one even his father had dismissed as a candidate. On that day, Israel’s greatest king was an afterthought.

Fast forward 1,000 years when Jesus picked His twelve disciples—a bizarre collection of fishermen, small-town businessmen, a political troublemaker, and a dreaded tax collector. Not one of them had can’t-miss qualities. None had shown an aptitude for ministry. None had accomplished anything significant. Not one was a theologian, or eloquent, or had organizational skills or leadership training. In the eyes of the world, these twelve were nobodies.

Just imagine if a professional search firm had reviewed Jesus’ list. It’s fair to say none of His choices would have made the cut—with the possible exception of Judas, who had contacts in high places. Yet, a few years later, in a far-off corner of the Roman Empire, Jesus’ followers had “turned the world upside down.”

However, Barna is right about one thing—we need to find our replacements.

Research shows that churches who prioritize leadership development get it.

The good news is finding ministry candidates is not a needle-in-the-haystack exercise. Simply look around. Spot those who show an interest in the things of God, and then be brave enough to give them an assignment. Be available to them. Allow them to fail. Coach them upward. Pray with them.

Plant seeds in every imaginable field, water the soil continually, protect against invasive poisons and rodents, and God will raise up a harvest.

Ron Walters is a former pastor who now serves as a ministry consultant and speaker. He resides in Poulsbo, Washington.