One of my favorite parts of Children’s Ministry Magazine is Keeping Current. We share with you the latest statistics and studies, as well as quotes from experts, on all things kids. I’ve pulled what I consider some of the most interesting faith-based stats and quotes from the past few issues to share with you today.
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“There are many reasons grown children of divorce appear overall to be less religious, including stories they tell of not feeling understood at church when their parents were splitting. But whatever the reasons, we now have a chance to draw upon their wisdom and get it right for the next generation.” — Elizabeth Marquardt, Institute for American Values
19 to 23% The percentage of children who make up the average church’s total attendance, according to The Unstuck Group’s research with churches across the country. (tonymorganlive.com)
90% The percentage of pastors who say their church offers some sort of Sunday school program. (barna.org)
Child Sponsorship Works International child sponsorship really works. A new study focused on Compassion International’s Christian child sponsorship program found sponsored kids were more likely compared to unsponsored children to finish school and become leaders in the church. (prweb.com)
77% The percentage of Americans who believe the country’s morals and values are declining. The most-cited cause—lack of Bible reading, according to the Barna Group.
Research shows the average U.S. household has 4.4 Bibles. (americanbible.org)
“Twenty years ago, the phrase was, ‘If you don’t reach a young person by 18, you probably won’t reach them. Now, atheists and agnostics have the same access to your kids as you do; it’s just one click away. The Internet has leveled the playing field, and now if you don’t reach a child by their 12th birthday, you won’t reach them.” —Josh McDowell, apologist
40% The percentage of church pastors who say their children went through a period where they significantly doubted their faith; 42 percent say they wished they’d spent more time with their children. (barna.org)
2% The percentage of children globally who, when asked, “What makes you feel safe and happy?” responded with “religious beings/places/God.” The majority of kids (56 percent) said being with family makes them feel safe and happy. (childfund.org)
“Many are quite pessimistic that today’s parents will be able to pass on lasting faith to their children. The doomsday narratives [some experts spread], however, are grossly overstated…Only 11% of those who abandon their childhood Christian faith say they had a very strong faith as a child and came from a home where a vibrant faith was taught and practiced.” —Andrew Hess and Glenn T. Stanton, Focus on the Family Findings’ Millennial Faith Participation and Retention
6.5 to 16.5% The percentage that spirituality accounts for in children’s total happiness, according to researchers at the Okanagan campus of the University of British Columbia. For adults, that figure is only around 4 to 5 percent. (publicaffairs.ubc.ca)
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Children’s Ministry Magazine is packed with practical, authentic ministry ideas to help you change children’s lives forever. You’ll get sound advice and encouragement from today’s children’s ministry experts, plus hundreds of ideas to help you create a program that’ll have kids begging to come back! And now, with the digital edition, it’s easier than ever to equip your team with this amazing resource. Click here to subscribe.
What do you think of the stats and quotes? What do you take from them? Let us know in the comment section below!
