Special Edition Podcast: The Millennial and Gen Z Pastor Crisis.

Big Ideas & Key Takeaways from the Podcast "Where Will Our Next Pastor Come From?"

* The Future of Pastoral Leadership Is Uncertain

* There's a growing clergy shortage, with more pastors over 65 than under 40.

* Churches are struggling to fill pulpits, requiring a reevaluation of leadership development.

* New Leadership Models Are Emerging

* Younger leaders are resistant to traditional CEO-style pastoral roles.

* They prefer collaborative leadership, team-based models, and flexible ministry pathways.

* Many see ministry as integrated into everyday life rather than a full-time, church-centered profession.

* Bi-Vocational & Co-Vocational Ministry Is the Present and Future

* Financial and cultural shifts make it harder for churches to fully fund pastors.

* More leaders are keeping marketplace jobs while serving in ministry.

* This model aligns with younger generations' preference for side hustles and flexibility.

* The Church Must Rethink Seminary Education

* Theological education is vital but needs to be more accessible and practical.

* Training should integrate more real-world engagement rather than isolating students in academic settings.

* Leadership pipelines should start in the local church, not just in formal institutions.

* A Shift in Discipleship & Evangelism Strategy

* Many aspiring leaders don’t resonate with traditional church structures.

* They want to live missionally in their neighborhoods rather than “run” a church.

* The church must empower everyday believers to disciple and lead without requiring them to become full-time pastors.

* Institutional & Denominational Challenges

* Some denominations struggle to adapt, leading to a decline in traditional pathways to ministry.

* A growing number of ex-evangelicals are exploring liturgical traditions but find them politically charged.

* There’s a need for new models that balance theological depth with mission-driven flexibility.

* Finding & Developing the Next Generation of Leaders

* Pastors should focus on identifying people of character, not just traditional leadership skills.

* Leadership development should happen organically—through mentorship, discipleship, and real-life ministry opportunities.

* Churches already have potential leaders within them; they just need to be nurtured and empowered.

* Economic & Structural Changes Are Forcing Innovation

* The traditional full-time pastor model is fading due to economic realities.

* Large churches may dominate in the short term, but micro-expressions of church are growing.

* Future ministry models will likely require creative financial sustainability, with pastors working in both church and marketplace settings.

As always, thanks for listening, and if you have questions you’d like me to address on the podcast - simply reply to this e-mail.

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Get full access to Eric Hoke at erichoke.substack.com/subscribe