I have often been asked about stats related to children’s, youth and family ministry – sometimes they are hard to find or ambiguous, or just er, made up!  So, I have pulled together what I consider to be the most reliable stuff (and these are all based on UK research).

Some of these are self explanatory, some would naturally go with others – use them, mention them, shout them from the rooftops etc.

1.2. 

3. 4. 5. 6.7.8.
9.10.11.

Why 11?  Well, there is just two much good stuff to pull out of the “Church Growth Research Programme” stuff and it is mega current information.

These I use again and again.  Often in tandem – just look at (4) and (6) together and think about it.  Consider the “50/50” chance that religious people have of passing on faith to their kids (9) and then look at (11).

I guess, the most amazing thing to me isn’t a stat.  It is that there is now so much evidence (actual bonafide, well researched and analysed data) for the significance of this ministry many of us see as a life long calling . . . yet it remains for many churches a luxury or an add on or an after thought and, if things get tight financially, the first role to be sacrificed is . . . well, you know.

The times we are in are incredibly exciting, challenging, gobsmackingly scary when we consider the now and the not yet for the church . . . but NEVER has the work of those investing in the lives of children, young people and families been more critical.