How to actively encourage children and young people to explore faith

THE FINDINGS FROM THE ‘FROM Anecdote to Evidence’ research highlight the huge challenge and opportunity for the Church to focus on children, young people and their parents. They also show the importance of investing in people, programmes and strategies which will encourage young people actively to continue exploring faith and put it into action in their daily lives.

Attracting young families to church is crucial; if a church is appealing to children then parents may come too. The research noted that growth is more likely to be found where there is a good number of children as well as adults attending.

The parish churches, cathedrals and fresh expressions of church, where significant growth was reported, are those who are responding to this need to attract and keep children, families and the younger generations engaged.

Key facts from the research:

• Nearly half (48%) of our churches have fewer than five under-16s.
• Churches that offer programmes for children and teenagers are more likely to be growing; three quarters of churches that offer activities for young people report growth against half among those who don’t.
• Just under half of those who attend a fresh expression of church are under 16.

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