While some in the current generation are rushing in droves to see the latest movie in the Twilight series, “Breaking Dawn” and others are contemplating their next move after college given the grim economy, another trend is emerging. Over 20% of students currently enrolled in seminary schools across the nation are over the age of 50. And, this trend is growing!
According to the United States Census Bureau, a baby boomer is someone born during the “birth boom” between 1946 and 1964 after post World War II. This generation was not alive during the war, but grew up in the period that was marked by rebuilding, both socially and financially. Baby boomers were growing up in a time of significant and historic social change. Part of this change included their views on religion and spirituality.
In a recent story featured on CNN, a few baby boomers, who have enjoyed successful careers in law and politics for example, shared their reasoning for embarking on such a different and much more spiritual profession. They noted that this is a time when they can truly devote time and attention to a path that they always wanted to pursue. Since these baby boomers are oftentimes more stable and more financially comfortable than their younger seminary school counterparts, they are under much less stress to make ends meet while fulfilling a spiritual calling. Most noted that there is also a GREAT need to help others now more than ever in the world. There is too much work to be done to retire! And many more spiritual leaders (pastors, reverends, etc.) are required to do it.
This trend will also enable struggling churches, who are in need of qualified leadership, but may not be able to provide a large salary. They can now obtain much needed help from these financially comfortable and newly educated pastors, priests, and reverends. Churches can then grow more readily and for these spiritual leaders, they can enjoy a new meaning and deeper fulfillment in their new profession that may have been missing in the previous careers.
Until next time…
Blessings!
Traci
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