Preachers Over 75 Still Preaching Regularly

There are some preachers don’t retire, even though it’s certainly well within one’s rights and privileges to do so. ICYMI, the full retirement age is now 67 here in the United States. The good thing about a timely retirement and a church leadership transition done well is how that can be a healthy thing for both the pastor and the church.

Here’s the truth of the matter: Every pastor is an interim pastor. Every church needs a transition plan.

In a recent conversation, we recalled how several highly-influential pastors we had admired during seminary, when we were in our 30s, are still actively preaching today:

Chuck Swindoll (age 81) at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, TX

John MacArthur (age 76) at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA

Charles Stanley (age 83) at First Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA

John Hagee (age 75) at Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, TX

David Jeremiah (age 74) at Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, CA

Quite a long run for these preachers with fruitful ministries. There’s something to be said for such longevity.

BTW, the late Rev. Noah Smith was oldest practicing preacher in America until September 2015 when he died at 107.