Hannah Felsbourg
28 June 2024
Children and young people are more likely to stay in churches where parents actively disciple them and they are a part of broader community life, according to new research.
Researchers hope churches will invest more resources in children’s and youth ministry and training, to help young people stay engaged with their faith.
The research identified discipleship and parental involvement were key to keeping young people in churches through their teenage years into young adulthood.
Ministry that emphasised parents as primary disciple makers had higher rates of retention for children and young people, according to newly released Children’s Ministry Futures Research in Melbourne.
The findings aligned with a recent Youthworks study in Sydney, which highlighted practicing spiritual habits at home, biblical teaching and discipleship as key to keeping young people in church.
Ridley Centre for Children’s and Youth Ministry director the Reverend Dr Graham Stanton said his research found young people’s integration in the broader life of the church was vital to help them stay in the faith.
He said equipping parents as disciple makers was crucial as passing on faith to the next generation was central to God’s mission for Christians.
But churches were often preoccupied with ministry to adults, while children were simply being entertained rather than discipled.
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Dr Stanton hoped his research recommendations would help young people feel valued and respected, fostering a sense of belonging in churches.
“We want to teach children and young people of the good news of Jesus and to encourage them and enable them to make a response of faith and to be involved in the ministry of the church,” he said.
The CMF Snapshot Report indicates children’s and family ministries thrive where children play a visible and willing role in the intergenerational life of a parish.
Including children’s and family ministry in parish planning, and build partnerships between parishes, and with schools, were two recommendations the research team made.
Researchers also advise expanding support for the Diocesan Children and Young People Ministry Team and investing in training for children’s and family ministry leaders.
They also recommend using CMF health indicators to evaluate the health of children’s and family ministries. The indicators are as follows:
- Children participate as members of the church family.
- Parents and caregivers are recognised as the primary disciple makers of their children.
- Children’s ministries are focussed on growing children as disciples of Christ.
- Children’s ministry leaders are equipped for their roles.
- The church has an outward vision for children and families outside of the church.
The research data was gathered by interviewing parish leaders from across 124 parishes of the Melbourne diocese.
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Youthworks adviser Al James hoped for more investment in youth and children’s ministry, as research showed only about 65 per cent of children remained in church into adulthood.
He said he hoped faith would give young people a robust and coherent way to navigate life that benefited them as well as wider society.
“I want to see … churches recognise that young people have a meaningful place and a meaningful part to play in the body of Christ,” he said.
Mr James’ research combined NCLS Research and Youthworks’ Effective Ministry Tool data to assess Sydney Anglican ministries’ effectiveness with children and youth.
The results suggested ministries should focus on evangelism, teaching key biblical concepts, and fostering a robust faith to help young people stay committed.
Discipleship, spiritual habits at home, biblical decision-making, and support for young people to address doubts were all marks of high-retention Sydney Anglican churches.
More about the Children’s Ministry Futures Research Report can be found here, and more on Al James’ research can be found here.
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