2023 Survey: Insights into Family Faith Formation in Canadian Churches
Scripture Union Canada just released their finding from a survey conducted earlier this year. It involved 210 churches from 37 denominations across Canada and sheds light on the state of family faith formation within congregations. This study explores the participation of churches, their programs, the impact of the pandemic, and the changing dynamics of post-pandemic family ministry.
Here are some highlights, thoughts and questions.
Programs and Activities:
Most churches include children and youth in the main weekly service (69.5%)
Separate children's or youth programs during the main service are common (89.5%)
It's encouraging to see that a significant majority of churches have embraced the inclusion of children in their main weekly services. This shift highlights a willingness to create spaces where the younger generation can actively participate in the larger faith community. Moreover, the prevalence of separate children's programs during the main service underscores a commitment to tailoring spiritual experiences to the unique needs of these age groups.
The question is, where is the balance between the two? We need to be sure to disciple people in age-appropriate ways but we can’t neglect the need for all ages to participate in faith experiences together. This leaves the ultimate question, what is the purpose of gathering on a Sunday morning?
Pandemic Impact and Adaptation:
The pandemic led to significant changes in ministry strategies and methodologies.
Many churches modified (35.4%) or replaced (29.2%) pre-pandemic programs.
Post-pandemic, 65% of churches have developed new programs and approaches.
The pandemic's profound impact on ministry strategies and methodologies has been transformative. The survey's results speak volumes about the agility and resilience of our congregations. As we navigate this ever-changing landscape, the fact that churches have forged new paths post-pandemic is a testament to our collective commitment to innovation.
How do we keep innovating each year even without a global crisis?
Importance of Family Faith Formation:
Respondents note low levels of daily prayer (20%) and Bible engagement (8.1%) among attending families.
Parents are seen as critical to children's faith formation but often not fully engaged.
Many parents lack the tools or awareness to nurture their children's faith actively.
A growing consensus emphasizes the need for churches to support and guide parents.
Perhaps one of the most thought-provoking aspects of the survey is the realization that daily prayer and Bible engagement among attending families is estimated to be so low. This statistic prompts us to introspect on our churches' role in fostering a culture of active spiritual engagement within families. Recognizing parents as critical agents in their children's faith formation journey calls us to action, as we seek ways to better support and empower them. This thought gets unpacked extensively in another Canadian study done by The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. You can check out their “Parenting Faith” finding HERE.
This looks back at an earlier question on what is the purpose of our Sunday gatherings. What are parents looking for when they come to your church? How can we shift the culture to better engage parents in the discipleship of their children?
As we increasingly recognize the importance of parental involvement, we must collectively brainstorm strategies to create a more meaningful and impactful partnership between families and the church.
Intergenerational Dynamics:
There's an increase in churches facilitating intergenerational gatherings (69%).
49.5% involve families in community outreach/evangelism.
The rise in churches facilitating intergenerational gatherings is exciting. It highlights a growing awareness of the richness that diverse age groups bring to the faith experience. Furthermore, the involvement of families in community outreach and evangelism underscores the integral role families play in extending the reach of our ministry beyond the church walls.
What opportunities do you have for families to serve together?
Increasing Strategy Adoption:
35.6% of churches now have a written children's ministry strategy, up from 9.6% in 2019.
The steady increase in the adoption of written children's ministry strategies is an encouraging indication of the growing commitment to intentional planning and execution. This show that more and more churches are not just doing children’s ministry because the parents want 90 minutes to themselves. Children’s ministry is an integral part of the church strategy and discipleship process.
Do you have a written strategy for your ministry? Does your church have an intentional strategy for children’s ministry being part of the overall mission and vision?
Scripture Union Canada did a SWOT analysis at the end of their report which is summarized here ⤵️
As we reflect on these findings, it's evident that the landscape of children's ministry is evolving, and our responses must evolve with it. The challenges presented by the pandemic have propelled us toward innovation and adaptation. Our renewed focus on equipping parents and fostering intergenerational connections holds immense promise for the future. Let these insights serve as a catalyst for further dialogue, exploration, and action within our network of churches. Together, we can navigate this dynamic journey of shaping faith for the next generation.