Bronwyn Sheldon - 21 August 2007 02:16 PM

What about Kids whose parents don’t go to church?

I was one of these. I have to note from my old youth group that the following occurred. Most of the boys remianed involved in Christian things as adults, and as far as the girls go - most drifted away as adults.

Hi Bronwyn,

The Young Adult “Retention” figures [ 4% and 4% of total attendees] that I quoted in the post above yours, do not take any account of parents’ church status.

I suppose NCLS use the word “Retention” because they assume many of those will have started their involvement before age 15.
They could have used a word such as “Involvement” etc

It seems to me that a linked approach to gospel-oriented young groups, young adults groups and worship service(s) is important for retaining young adult disciples.

Grace & peace,

Terry

Jeremy Halcrow - 21 August 2007 10:39 AM

To the contrary, they show slight improvement.

What I was trying to say in the article was that despite this slight improvement its not time to break out the champagne because around a third of our young adults are still ceasing to attend church at all.

And BTW I agree with Sandeman that student ministry can not be the only string in our bow because most kids don’t go to uni.

Jeremy, your figures show that SydAng attenders children going to church somewhere increased from 59% in2001 to 66% in 2006.

For an organisation as large as SydAng that seems a meaningful improvement.

Perhaps improving SydAng statisitcs in these areas is like changing course in an aircraft carrier - it is not an instantaneous thing!

Terry

John Sandeman asked:

do we have the overall picture for Sydney Anglican attendence from NCLS?

Not yet. But I hear on the grapevine that its close to release.