Research indicates most parents believe they bear responsibility for the spiritual
training of their children – but most spend no time in a typical week doing
so and instead rely on churches to fill that role.
The Barna Research Group reports that 85 percent of parents of children under
13 believe they are primarily responsible for teaching their children about
spiritual matters, while 11 percent say their church has top responsibility
and 1 percent say their school is most responsible.
Research indicates most parents believe they bear responsibility for the spiritual
training of their children – but most spend no time in a typical week doing
so and instead rely on churches to fill that role.
The Barna Research Group reports that 85 percent of parents of children under
13 believe they are primarily responsible for teaching their children about
spiritual matters, while 11 percent say their church has top responsibility
and 1 percent say their school is most responsible.
However, at the same time, fewer than one of every 10 church families prays
or reads the Bible together, Christian researcher George Barna notes. And fewer
than one of every 20 families has a worship activity together outside the church.
Parents either are unwilling to nurture their children spiritually or do not
know how, Barna says. As a result, Christian parents are “totally dependent”
on the church to nurture their offspring, he adds. “Theyve exempted
themselves from all responsibility in this.”
Recent research suggests 87 percent of parents are satisfied with the training
churches provide to their children. But that may not be a good thing –
because parents have a relatively low expectation of churches, Barna explains.
So, what needs to happen?
For his part, Barna challenges churches to walk a tightrope and support families
in spiritual development without allowing them to become reliant on the institution.
He also calls on congregations to focus on ministering to children because
two-thirds of all Christians are converted before they turn 18 and because children
freely invite their friends to church and encourage parents to come into the
faith.
Kids develop a sense of right and wrong by the time they are nine – and
what they believe at 13 is usually what they believe for the rest of their lives,
Barna notes.
As a result of those tendencies, failure to cultivate the spiritual lives of
children and youth will have dire consequences for churches later, Barna warns.
“We struggle with ministry to adults,” he says. “Its difficult.
You know why its so difficult? Because we didnt do a good job when
they were kids.
“We are reaping what we sowed 20, 30, 40 years ago.”