There are three different ways that the adult population of churches can grow:

1. Adults being saved. 

2. Christians transferring from another congregation within your denomination of switching from another denomination. 

3. Children of members growing up in the church and taking on their parents faith for themselves.

Most evangelical churches - even growing churches - are underperforming in the first and third ways.

In the Sydney Anglican Church parents report that an average of only 65% of their children who grew up in church are currently professing Christ. That number hasn’t changed in ten years - despite a targeted effort to increase it to 70%.

The second way is people switching from another church within your denomination, or transferring from another denomination.

Sydney Anglican Youthworks Consultant Al James says key focuses are deep discipleship, deep connection and authentic discussions at home with parents about faith. 

Click here to watch Al James' seminar on Helping Young People Stick With Jesus.