So here’s the secret of church growth: the family. Not flashy enough? Maybe not, but it’s true. Think back to your confirmation class. How many of those classmates are still active in church today? To the best of my knowledge, 80% of my classmates no longer regularly attend church, and probably haven’t for years. That’s tragic. And I’d bet the statistics from your class are probably similar. Consider how much bigger the church would be if those confirmands who vowed in front of the entire congregation to remain faithful unto death actually meant those vows. Sadly, most of those who have fallen away were those whose parents dropped them off each week for catechism class but never actually went to church themselves. Parents, this is serious business. Do not expect the church to do in an hour a week what you refuse to do in the remaining 167 hours. Kids learn more about the faith by watching you than they will during church or Sunday School. That’s not to say the church is irrelevant. Not at all. But you, parents, have the biggest impact. If church isn’t a priority for you, it won’t be for them either. If you go to church casually and do little at home to pray, learn Bible stories and memorize Bible verses chances are they’ll follow suit. Like I said, this is serious business.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 02:46:42 +0000