steep increase in the percentage of people 65 and over is caused by a steep fall of in attendance of the <15, 16-19, and

20-29 age groups

What is the future of the church? Does the church have a future ?
Answer children

Out of a total population of 62 million people (UK): 5.5 million are church members (i.e. people who say they are definitely attached to a Christian church, equivalent to 9% of the population) 3.6 million attend church on an average Sunday (6% of the population) 39% of churches have no-one attending under 11 years of age 49% of churches have no-one attending between the ages of 11 and 14 59% of churches have no-one attending between the ages of 15 and 19 90% decline in the numbers of young people <20 attending church over the last 20 years Our Church SALU: 33 youngsters: 11 in Crche and pre-school children: 7 in Young church: aged <1 year to 18 yrs aged < 1 year to 4 yrs aged 5 yrs 9yrs

15 in TicTacs 15:

aged 11yrs - 18 yrs

Involvement
all-church worship is more consistently linked with mature faith later than any other form of church participation Sense of community food, socials & hospitality key parts church life not additional activities

Takes whole church (Baptismal vows)

Young men /fathers ie male role models key to retain younger folk ?

Authenticity Journeying together and working out faith together know what you believe and why
Young people are impressionable, if adults are living like the rest of the world "Jesus really doesn't make a difference, so why should I follow Him? The mission and message of some churches is vague: messages encouraging social justice, community involvement, & being good, but relationship between that message, Jesus Christ & the Bible is unclear.

There is openness to express doubt & question The spiritual encounter with God is "felt

Positive 33 youngsters

Challenges Cohort moving on More youngsters

Whole church involved in raising a child

Multiple teachers- getting to know youngsters

Compete with Sunday Activities & Peer Pressure Location- not just a walk away- need transport
Authentic Christianity lived out by adults - at church, home & workplace- journeying together

Involvement in: All age worship Serve Communion

Regular Session feedback We must love them Church feed back- via website Active programme-social, educational (anything can be asked)

Spiritual encounter with God as something "felt More than just ritual & head knowledge
Equipping & Resources Contemporary teaching theology and application ie meat not just milk Understand the relationship between social justice, morality, community involvement, Jesus Christ, and Bible

Financial Support
Messy Church Community Worker

Increase in young men / fathers (male role models) M2M

Sources
http://www.whychurch.org.uk/trends.php http://matthiasmedia.com/briefing/2011/08/does-the-future-have-a-church/ http://www.youthwork-magazine.co.uk/main/article/ittakesawholechurch#sthash.0hXZqdI http://www.christiantoday.com/article/the.churches.that.are.reaching.and.keeping.young.p eople/32670.htm http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/06/listening-to-young-atheistslessons-for-a-stronger-christianity/276584/