The Haynes Report on the State of the The Presbyterian Church in Canada (2012) states that, since 2005, worship attendance has declined steadily at an average rate of 3% annually. One of the main sources for this continuing decline has been the loss of generational replacement. The children of congregation members have been less and less inclined to become involved in church, which has led to overall decline and an aging membership.

One of the causes of this decline in the increasing trend of secularization in Canadian society.  Sociologist Dr. Steve Bruce (University of Aberdeen) has noted that “The declining power of religion causes a decline in the number of religious people and the extent to which people are religious. As religious faith loses social power, it becomes harder for each generation to socialize its children in faith."

As parents and grandparents, how can we nurture faith in our children and grandchildren?

What role can the church play in encouraging faith in children?

The first Messy Church began in 2004 when a group at St Wilfrid's in Cowplain near Portsmouth were frustrated because, as a church, they were hardly reaching any children with God's story. They decided to try to do something for all ages together in order to help families to grow together in their walk of faith.

Watch the video: Messy Church

What do you like, or don't like, about the concept of Messy Church?

 

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