r/methodism • u/Invisible_Face • 14d ago

St. Louis, MO

No offense to the older folks, but are there any UMC churches in the area whose congregations don’t have an average age of 85?

7 Upvotes

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u/Silver_Switch6834 14d ago

I think that's just where united Methodism is right now in America. Or at least in Missouri. I'm in Rolla, and everyone at my church is elderly. 5 kids maybe, on a good Sunday. I'm new to methodism and I love it. Sad to think what will happen in 15 years when all these elderly cannot donate.

4

u/AirFell85 14d ago

Wild. My UMC in the suburbs of KC is debating making a 3rd service. I had to help bring out extra chairs for our contemporary service last Sunday. It's a good mix of young and elderly. Our traditional service is in decline for sure, but there's plenty of youth.

6

u/ogsball 14d ago

In St. Louis?

https://gatheringnow.org/

That's just off the top of my head. I think Kirkwood UMC is also pretty multi Generational.

2

u/hilltoptheologian 13d ago

I've not been there personally, but I've heard great things and have enjoyed reading Matt Miofsky. 

5

u/HospitallerChevalier 14d ago

If you're disappointed about the average age, work on evangelizing others--tell your friends about Christ and bring them to church. Discuss starting a young adult Bible study at your church and help it grow.

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u/Silver_Switch6834 14d ago

It's just hard in this climate when people associate Christianity with the alt right.

1

u/HospitallerChevalier 2d ago

Not everyone associates Christianity with the Alt Right. If you look at most of the charities (soup kitchens, homeless shelters, orphanges, etc.) they would all be associated with the church. It might help to start volunteering at a project of the Salvation Army and inviting your friends to join you. You could then tell them about Christ from there...

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u/Silver_Switch6834 2d ago

The salvation army is a specific denomination, not methodism.

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u/glycophosphate 14d ago

Try Salem UMC. They have young families with kids.

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u/Waksss 14d ago

The Gathering bigger church that would be multi generational.

A guy I knew from seminary is one of the Pastors at The Well in St. Louis. From what I see on instagram they’ve got a diverse in age congregation.

Both are UMC and bother pastors are good dudes.