Church Wants Older Members to Leave

In an effort to attract more young families, the Grove United Methodist Church in Cottage Grove, Minnesota wants the present members, most of them over 60 years old, to worship somewhere else.

They will not be physically barred from attending, but the expectation is that the gray-hairs will stay away for 15 to 18 months before they can reapply for membership.

The church has struggled recently with membership and finances and needs a reboot to keep the church from closing altogether. “Jesus said we are called to reach new people,” said Pastor Dan Wetterstrom. The new focus will be on young families with children.

 “They want to create renewal,” said church founder Baker. “I am all for renewal, but why not do it with everyone? It doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

The aging membership has been asked to continue maintaining the church - mow the lawn, shovel the snow, give money - until the church closes temporarily in June.  When the church relaunches the old members who have supported the church for 30-years are no longer welcome. 

By the way, the church's website currently states, "We honor the sacred worth and dignity of persons of every age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical and mental capacity, education, economic, and marital status." Evidently, that won't apply to the old members in the future.