The most important predictor of a congregation’s future vitality is its ability to retain its children as they move into adulthood. A sanctuary full of young families with toddlers and teenagers is a great start, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. If the congregation doesn’t do a good job of religious education and spiritual formation, its kids will fall away from the faith as they move into adulthood. It’s hard to convert your way out of a retention deficit.
What’s one of the most effective ways to ensure that young people grow up to be active members of their local congregation? It’s education. Teaching young people about the Bible, as well as the doctrines of the faith, provides them with an intellectual foundation for their faith as they face the inevitable challenges that come as they move out of the house and try to forge their own path in
