How Do Growing Churches Reach Young Families?

There are good examples of growing churches reaching young families. What are they doing differently than others? Thom and Sam answer this question. There is more to this issue than being a large church in a growing suburb. Churches reaching young families come in a variety of sizes and locations.

• • The demographic reality of an aging population in the United States.

• • Millennials (and soon Gen Z) are starting families at an older age than previous generations.

• • The growing family church understands the worship “show” is less important than rhythms of discipleship and consistent programming.

• • The growing family church understands you have to focus on children to reach young families, which means investing in staff, facilities, and programs.

• • The growing family church understands the family unit is more diverse now than ever before.

• • The growing family church understands the reality of single parenting.

• • The growing family church has older generations willing to sacrifice their preferences for the sake of reaching children.

Resources:

• California Baptist University

• Upward Sports

• Brown Church Development Group

• Ryan Burge

• “The Bridger Generation” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)

• The Everything Church Resource Directory

• The Hope Initiative

• Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector

Episode Sponsors:

• • Did you know that fewer than 20% of Southern Baptist pastors have a bachelor’s degree? That is according to a past Pew Research study. How can this be combated and how can we prepare our churches for the future? California Baptist University has a solution. CBU offers a full breadth of courses through its online degree programs.
  • Whether you’re looking to start your degree, finish your degree, or prepare leaders in your church for advancement opportunities, CBU’s degree programs provide a flexible, online learning environment. Classes start every eight weeks, so you can begin any time.
  • An online degree can:
    • Help you gain a better understanding of your life’s purpose;
    • Symbolize competence and integrity in your career; and
    • Provide you with the skills and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of others.
  • Your team may benefit from a degree in business, leadership, finance, communications or Christian studies. There are dozens of online degrees available to you! The online Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministries develops servant leaders with the tools for understanding and communicating biblical truths. This degree prepares students for active leadership roles in the church, parachurch and Christian organizations.
  • Financial aid is available, and thanks to CBU donors, online undergraduate degrees in Christian Ministries and Christian Studies may qualify for additional scholarship, making earning your degree more affordable.
  • Visit calbaptist.edu to learn more.

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities.  Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community.  Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel.  Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

**As a partner of Rainer or Leadership, Upward Sports is offering a $500 sports start up grant to listeners. Head over to Upward.org/ChurchAnswers and schedule a call… tell them we sent you! Your sports grant will assist you in a 2024 LEAGUE!

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