Are young children the greatest source of new members?

by Cynthia Woolever

Some tout programming for children and youth as the essential ingredient for maintaining congregational vitality and fostering numerical growth. Our research addressed the importance of this factor. We looked at the ability of a number of factors to predict numerical growth: worshiper demographics, congregational features (such as size, denomination), geographic location, and other dimensions of congregational strength (such as providing meaningful worship and relying on empowering leadership). We found that congregations grew when three factors were present:

1. A higher percentage of worshipers were new (began attending in the past five years). Growing congregations institutionalize many ways to invite, welcome, and incorporate new people.
2. The congregation takes intentional steps to involve worshipers in the congregation beyond just attending services. Growing congregations encourage worshipers to be involved in small groups, hold leadership roles, participate in decision-making, and have hands-on ministry experiences.
3. Parents and children attend together. Congregations grow when parents express satisfaction with what is offered for children and youth, and the congregation as a whole values this ministry

While the presence of children and you and the quality of offerings for this age group are factors in numerical growth, they are not the only cause of church growth.

As late as 1950, children five years of age and younger numbered more than any other five-year demographic age group in the United States. But due to declining birthrates and increasing age spans, that is no longer the case. Now people age 35 to 39 (those born at the end of the baby boom between 1960 and 1964) outnumber those in every other age group.

Declining birthrates and smaller households do contribute to declining membership. Fewer children in the population means congregations must think differently about their ministry and growth strategies.

Parents have always selected the congregation that the family will attend—not young children. Young parents, as the decision-makers, are the greatest source of future members. When they look for a congregation, they will look for one that ministers effectively with small children. Quality programs for youth are also part of this growth picture—but congregations must consider the needs of all ages.

What is the demographic age profile of your current members? What percentage are:

• 12 years of age or younger?
• Between 13 and 18 years old?
• 19 to 24 years old?
• 25 to 44 years old?
• 45 to 64 years old?
• 65 years of age or older?

Do you know the needs and values of each age group in the congregation? Does each age group receive equal investment? For example, how much of the leader's time and interest, programming time and dollars, and facility are "consumed" by each group? Do these investments reflect the priorities of current participants or the age groups the congregation would like to reach?