The Aging of America
According to statistics published in the July/August issue of Rev magazine:

The number of Americans aged 65 and older climbed to more than 34.9 million in 2000, compared with 3.1 million in 1900.
The ratio of elderly Americans to the total population jumped from 1 in 25 to 1 in 8.
Between 1990 and 2020, the population aged 65 to 74 is projected to grow 74 percent.

Cited source: www.infoplease.com
Friends and Food Fuel Spiritual Growth
A survey of churchgoers shows that people who report having strong friendships at church are 26 percent more likely to describe themselves as having an active faith and a close relationship to God, according to a Gallup study reported by D. Michael Lindsay in Friendship: Creating a Culture of Connectivity in Your Church (Group Publishing, 2005).

74 percent of church members who worship with a best friend say their faith impacts every aspect of their life, while only 54 percent of members without a best friend at church say the same thing.

Food also was a key factor, the survey said, with 77 percent of respondents who had eaten a meal with their congregation at least once in the past year reporting they were highly satisfied with their church. By contrast, only 27 percent of church members who have not eaten a meal with people in their congregation report high satisfaction with their church.  
Most Influential Churches: Saddleback, Willow, North Point
The nation's most influential churches are Saddleback, pastored by Rick Warren, Willow Creek, pastored by Bill Hybels and North Point, pastored by Andy Stanley, according to a recent survey that drew responses from 1,875 Christian leaders. See the full list of "Top 50 Most Influential Churches," plus commentary in The Church Report, published by Christy Media LLC, Jason T. Christy, Publisher/Editor in Chief.