We asked pastors and ministry leaders about the programs they’re using to reach kids in their communities. Here’s the boots-on-the-ground insight they shared with us.
This report puts the research in context with current church attendance trends and a tool kit to help you plan your ministry calendar. You can use it to spark ideas for your kids’ ministry—especially outside the walls of your church.
We’ve summarized a portion of the research below. You can get the full guide here.
We hope that this research inspires you to look for the opportunities around you! Numbers can be scary, but the outcomes don’t have to be.
In order to get a full picture, we looked into church attendance trends, kids’ ministry research highlights, and what tools could help us each stay relevant.
Church Attendance Trends
Although the numbers don’t lie, there is hope.
When we look at the data, the downward trends in church attendance can be discouraging—particularly if those trends are mirrored in our local church experience.
But there is another more encouraging way to view these numbers—as new opportunities to find meaningful ways to minister to kids and families outside of our church buildings.
A Generational Perspective
About 20 years ago, a church member was considered active in the church if he or she attended three times a week. Today, a church member is considered active in the church if he or she attends three times a month.
A Behavioral Calculation
If the frequency of attendance changes, then attendance will respond accordingly. For example, if 200 members attend every week the average attendance is, obviously, 200. But if one-half of those members miss only one out of four weeks, the attendance drops to 175.
Did you catch that? No members left the church. Everyone is still relatively active in the church. But attendance declined over 12 percent because half the members changed their attendance behavior slightly.
—Thom S. Rainer
Researcher, Author and CEO of Church Answers
(Check out more on this here and here.)
According to Pew Research Center, the number one reason people regularly go to church is obvious: to feel closer to God.
Opportunity Arises
While we consider the decline in attendance trends, it’s worth considering how to retain and encourage the attendees we have. If people are coming for these reasons, how does the local church meet them where they are? … and then help them grow to love and follow Jesus?
The numbers don’t lie about declining attendance. But they’re not all downhill.
Remember the comment: Half the members changed their attendance behavior slightly?
Consider for a moment how local churches could creatively put themselves in the path of change. What if we changed our kids’ ministry programs slightly?
Despite not going to church services, unchurched families are open to participating in activities sponsored by a local church.
Kids’ Ministry Research Highlights
A survey of our Church Innovation Community gathered proven ministry ideas for engaging kids outside the walls of the local church. Within 9 key program areas, we all can find encouragement to continue what’s working well and to explore new opportunities.
Also in the full guide: A Case Story about VBS shows how this popular program can adapt to reach kids in your backyard—literally. Get free access here.
An Overview: 9 Programs Reaching Kids Outside Church Walls
A majority of churches in our survey—4 in 5—have at least one program for reaching out to kids in their communities. In addition, about half of churches have intentional ways of stepping outside the walls of their buildings to reach kids who aren’t already coming to church.
Most of these kids’ ministry programs are run by a member of the church staff with a team of volunteers. In many smaller churches, the staff themselves tend to be volunteers.
Either way, our Church Innovation Community responded with a resounding yes to reaching kids outside church walls.
Senior Pastors most frequently mentioned the need to engage children in the community before inviting them to church events. In their view, if a church can bring in children, then their parents will follow.
Here’s a glimpse at the programs this research explores:
Tools to Stay Relevant
Lastly, get free access to tools to stay relevant including a brainstorming and planning kit!
You can use or adapt the pages provided in any way that works for you—with your staff and your volunteer leaders. You can share this entire report with them too, either in advance of a meeting or as part of a meeting.
In Conclusion
We hope that this research inspires you to look for the opportunities around you! Numbers can be scary, but the outcomes don’t have to be.
We pray that what you’ll learn will spark ideas for reaching kids and families outside the walls of your church.
Reaching Kids Outside the Church Walls
How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout
