What Kind of Faith, What Kind of Future?

We attend an aging church.  It is well over 100 years old, had a young staff, but. . .

The congregation tilts towards the retired, and the somewhat long-retired.  In other words, the average age is getting old.  That has a lot of meaning.

For instance,

• retirement income is not what employed full-time income is.
• Medical costs for these folks are rising.
• Many have downsized into retirement communities or assisted living.  Costs more.
• More and more people cannot drive themselves to worship or church service events.
• More people are dying at the advanced age end of the spectrum than are joining the congregation in their young adult age.
• Older people tend to want and need more pastoral care.

Not only that,

• Older people tend to want things about the same.
• Older people have (in this congregation) tended to win their changes in faith through difficulty and trials.  They are tired.
• Older people often (in this congregation) do not want to go back to the "good old religion".  They have moved past it.
• Many older people come to be with old friends, and don't extend themselves to welcome newcomers.

As is the case in many Denver area churches, there is not much of a sense of community.  People talk about "community" but they are not in each other's lives, homes or social circles.  It's not "small town" living, for sure.

So I wonder:  Is the only future of such a congregation is slow dissolve, the intentional disbanding, or could there be a new, exciting life for this congregation and others like it?

What do you think?  Leave a comment and let us know. especially if you have a magic formula or potion.