From the Revd John M. Overton

Sir, - I write as one of those with "silvery hair", referred to by Canon Nicholas Morgan (Letters, 13 July), who were ordained deacon this Petertide.

In preparation for this, I was privileged to spend the past academic year as a residential student at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. The year's intake spanned 40 years. I was the oldest. I found tremendous encouragement in the quality of those selected for ordination training, and in the range of ages, circumstances, and backgrounds represented.

We live in very different circumstances from those faced by the Church 40 years ago. Clearly, those of us ordained in our 60s will not have the potential years of service (or physical energy) of someone much younger. Nevertheless, people who can be financially self-supporting (e.g. pensioners) represent an additional resource. It is surely self-evident that there are gaps that need to be filled, and insufficient funds to support much larger numbers of stipendiary clergy.

I am encouraged by 1 Timothy. Whilst Timothy himself was young (1 Timothy 4.12), the criteria set out for selection of elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3.1-13) clearly include those who are older.

Surely we need to encourage all whom God calls to ordained ministry, young, intermediate or older?
JOHN M. OVERTON
6 Brown Edge Close
Buxton
Derbyshire SK17 7AS

From the Warden of Cranmer Hall

Sir, - I read Canon Morgan's letter last week with interest, having shared his concern at the "prevalence of silvery hair" at ordinations I have attended over the years. Just hours earlier, I had been working through the details of those who will be studying at Cranmer Hall next year, and had been struck by the youth of the cohort.

Out of a group of 40 ordinands, eight will be under 25, 16 under 30, and more than half of them under 35. The average (mean) age will be roughly 36 years old.

I am sure that this is owing, in good part, to the Archbishops' encouragement of younger ordinands, in which we are pleased to assist through events like "Step Forward", held every year in the Northern Province.

I am conscious that Cranmer Hall is a particularly good place for younger ordinands to train, but I don't believe that we are alone in seeing the beginnings of a changing demographic.

I, too, was ordained while in my twenties, and, while I value the experience and wisdom brought by older ordinands, I am encouraged by this trend.
MARK TANNER
3 South Bailey
Durham DH1 3RJ

From Rosemary Lunn

Sir, - Canon Nicholas Morgan raised the issue of the age of ordinands at Petertide. It would indeed be interesting to see statistics relating to the average age of ordinands in recent years.

Now that clergy are being encouraged to postpone retirement until their late sixties, presumably these older ordinands still hope to have a good chunk of working life ahead of them. The related issue of concern is whether parish representatives - burdened with ever rising Parish Share pressures, and wanting "value for money" - will want to appoint older candidates.

Parish profiles frequently (understandably) prioritise "work with children and young families", and tend to assume that the young(ish) clergy candidate on the shortlist who happens to have two children will therefore be the best candidate for the job. But what about those other applicants, with a wealth of experience and many valuable insights, gained over the years, even though they may have a few silver hairs?

It is one thing to affirm the worth of a candidate, age notwithstanding, at ordination; but this needs to continue in the appointment process if the Church is to be free from the charge of "ageism".
ROSEMARY LUNN
The Rectory
41 Vowles Close
Wraxall
Bristol BS48 1PP

From the National Adviser for Young Vocations

Sir, - In response to Canon Nicholas Morgan's letter, I am delighted to report that, under the Church's Young Vocations Strategy, nearly every diocese in England has now appointed one or more Young Vocations Champions, who have been trained and who are now actively encouraging young people to consider what God might be calling them to be and do, with a focus on ordained ministry.

It is, of course, for every cleric to spot and encourage vocations, and so to support the work of the Young Vocations Champions. To this end, readers may find the Call Waiting website helpful: http://callwaiting.org.uk.

In 2011, just 16.6 per cent of those recommended for training for ministry were in their twenties. The strategy for encouraging young vocations is intended to boost this number significantly.
LIZ BOUGHTON
Church House
Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3AZ