Two major research organizations asked people why they left the church.
The number one answer? They simply stopped believing. Over 50% say they have stopped believing in the core doctrines and faith tenets.
Turns out that the experience a child has in church between the ages of 5 and 17 is the single strongest predictor of whether they will stay with the faith as an adult.
If a child has a negative experience at church, there is a 70% chance they will later walk away from the faith.
But if a child has a positive experience at church, there is a 84% chance they will stick with the faith.
What can we do about that as children's ministry leaders? Is the answer found in a new program? More relevant worship music? More lights and fog? Cooler games and activities? A new version of the Bible for kids? Different small group curriculum?
We cannot let this opportunity slip away. It's time the church makes children and student ministry a high, high priority. It's time the church goes all in for reaching and discipling the next generation.
Ministry for kids and students is the front line in the battle for the next generation. The enemy knows this and is going all out to steal, kill, and destroy the faith of the generation coming behind us.
So why are kids growing up and walking away from the church because of unbelief?
I believe it is because churches are not teaching kids why we believe what we believe.
I believe it is because churches are not teaching kids apologetics.
I believe it is because churches are not teaching kids doctrine.
I believe it is because we are not letting kids ask the hard questions and helping them work through it.
I believe it is because we are not teaching kids what the verses mean that they are memorizing.
I believe it is because we are teaching kids about God but not about knowing God personally.
I believe it is because we are not helping kids own their faith.
I believe it is because we are not strategic with the curriculum we are teaching them.
I believe it is because we are not preparing them to defend what they believe.
I talk about this extensively in my book Fertile Soil...How to See Kids' Faith Grow and Flourish for a Lifetime. You can get your copy here.
I also have 2 apologetics series for kids - Mythbusting and Pranksters. You can see these teaching series at this link.
It's time the church focuses on the next generation. Children and student ministry cannot be an afterthought. It must be at the forefront of our thoughts, planning, strategy, and outreach.
It's time the church turns its eyes to the greatest mission field in the world...kids and students.
It's time for children and student ministry to be the most important ministry in the church.
Children's ministry is not babysitting or childcare. It is crucial ministry at the most important time in a person's life. If we don't reach and disciple children and students we will see them grow up and walk away as adults.
Children and student ministry leaders be encouraged. God is with you. He wants to pour out His power and anointing into your life as you serve on the front lines.
Children and student ministry leaders be encouraged. Your ministry is dear to the heart of God. Jesus paused adult ministry when He was here and made children's ministry a top priority when the parents brought their children to Him.
Sadly in many churches, we find that children's ministry is just an afterthought. The pastor and church leaders fail to invest heavily into children and student ministry.
If you are in that situation, I would encourage you to share this article with your leaders. God has placed you where you are to be a champion for children and student ministry. Lovingly and humbly share this with your leaders. It might be just what they need to understand the importance of the ministry you are leading and serving.
There is hope for the next generation. God has divinely placed you where you are for such a time as this.
You are the person God wants to use to reach and disciple children and students through your local church. You matter and what you do matters....more than you can comprehend.
Together...with all of us engaged in this great work of God...we can see the faith projectory of an entire generation changed.
Then we will see kids and students grow up to walk with God instead of away from God.
