2016 christian education curriculum survey · pdf fileapce, cef, auce, and the christian...

Copyright © 2016 Church Publishing Incorporated. All rights reserved. 1

CHRISTIANEDUCATIONCURRICULUMSURVEYJune2016

Anon-linesurveywasheldonavoluntarybasedduringJune2016tolearnwhatcurricularprogramswerebeingusedincongregationswithchildren,youth,andadults.Thesurveywasdisseminatedthroughe-mailandsocialmedia(predominatelyFacebookgroups)andvariousorganizationallist-serves(Forma,APCE,CEF,AUCE,andtheChristianEducationNetworkoftheELCA).TheconstructionandresultsofthesurveywasconductedbytheresearchgroupoftheChurchPensionGroup,theparentcompanyofChurchPublishingIncorporated.Theanalysisofthedataisstrictlymine,andItakeallresponsibilityforitsinterpretation.SharonElyPearson10/1/16Therewere895respondents,with620completingtheentiresurvey.87%reportedhavingachildren’sministryprogram;75%youthprogramming;75%offersomeformofadulteducation.Bothlay(60%)andordained(37%)personstookthesurvey.Whilesharedacrossdenominationallines,70%oftherespondentswereEpiscopalians.Demographicsfollowattheconclusionofthisoverview,withinformationandresponsesspecificallyfromotherdenominationnoted.Children’sEducationAsinpastsurveys(2009,2010,2013),mostchurchesoffersometypeofministrywithchildren.Correlatingtothemanystudiesthatshowthedeclineinchurchattendance(Gallop,Pew,Barna,denominationalresearchstudies)andhowthemajorityofcongregationshaveanaverageSundayattendanceisbetween75-100,it

isnotsurprisingtoseethedecreaseinthesizeofchildren’sattendance.

Lessthan5: 9%5-12: 30%13-25: 27%26-50: 16%51-75: 9%76-100: 4%Morethan100:3%

600650700750800 778

674676Children(ages0-11)

Youth(ages12-18)

Adult(ages19+)

061

205

186

1096125

1377233Lessthan5

5-12

13-25

26-50

Children'sRegularParticipation


Athemethatranthroughoutcommentsonchildren’sministries:“Parishdemographics(sizeandaverageage)makeitdifficulttogetconsistentattendance.”Congregationsuseavarietyofcurricularmaterials.BesidesGodlyPlay(23%)andversionsofSpark(14%),mostprogramsareusedlessfrequently.MostdonotuseoneresourcealoneandmanysupplementwithwritingtheirownorInternetsearches.Thetopselectedresourcesthatwerenoted:

23% GodlyPlay14% Spark10% Other(20mentioned)5% CatechesisoftheGood

Shepherd5% LivingtheGoodNews5% WeavingGod’sPromise4% TheSundayPaper4% LessonPlansThatWork3% WorkshopRotation

models

3% DeepBlue3% BuildingFaithBrickbyBrick3% FeastingontheWord3% Whirl3% Connect3% EpiscopalChildren’sCurriculum3% HolyMoly2% YoungChildren&Worship2% SeasonsoftheSpirit

Anecdotally,manyrespondentssharedtheirconcernaboutconventionalcurriculum(classroommodels)that“continuetoreinforcedatedmodesofteaching.”Callsforresourcesforchildrenthathelpthemreflectonworshipaswellashelpingparentsconnectwiththeirchildrenathomewereconcerns.Inconsistencyinattendanceandthecostofmaterialsarehavinganimpactonwhatcurriculachurchesarechoosingtouse.Onecommentinparticularseemedtosumupwhatmanyshared:

BuildingFaithBrickbyBrick

3%

CatechesisoftheGoodShepherd

5%Connect(Sparkhouse)

3% DeepBlue3%

EpiscopalChildren'sCurriculum

3%

FeastingontheWord3%

GodlyPlay23%

HolyMoly3%LessonPlans

ThatWork4%

LivingtheGoodNews5%

Other10%

SeasonsoftheSpirit2%

Spark14%

TheSundayPaper4%

WeavingGod'sPromises5%

Whirl3%

WorkshopRotation3%

WriteOurOwn3%

YoungChildren&Worship2%


“Iamconcernedthatchildrenandyoutharenotbeingguidedtoaholisticviewofspiritualityandreligion.IalsofeelthatnewmethodsandprogramsneedtobetaughtsothatstudentscanusecriticalthinkingandengagewithGodthroughtheirownpersonalitiesandexperiences.Manyteachers(inmyparish)arestillusingoldmethodswhereinchildrenattendedSundayschoolandchurcheverySunday.Manywhocometochurchtodayhavedifferentneedsandare“unchurched.”Asinpastsurveys,thetimeallottedforchildren’seducationcontinuestobethe“45-minute”educationhour.YouthEducationMaterialswithyouth(ages13-18)continuetobevaried,withchurchesusingamixofresourcesaswellaswritingtheirown.Aswithchildren’sengagement,youthparticipateinsmallnumbers,withfewerhighschoolstudentsthanmiddleschoolstudents.ManysharedthateducationalofferingsforyouthendafterConfirmation.

“Ourstrugglehasalwaysbeentokeepthechildreninvolvedinchurchschooloncetheygettomiddleschool.Theyarepulledinsomanydirections,andSundaymorningsatchurchareharderandharder.Wehavetriedothertimeframes,butthereisnomagicformulathatworksforeveryone.”

6

273175

562317

None

Lessthan10

10-20

21-30

MiddleSchoolParticipation

33

294149

362214

None

Lessthan10

10-20

21-30

HighSchoolParticipation

334

239

305

7410511

None

Lessthan30minutes30-44minutes

45-59minutes

1-1.5hours

Timedevotedtochildren'seducation


Youthministryisofferedduringdifferenttimesandfordifferentlengthsthanchildren’sministry.Anothercomment,“Thechallengeistokeepmiddleschoolstudentsengagedwithbiblicalstudywhileprovidingthemsomefuntimeaswell.Attendanceisverysporadicbecausefamilyactivitiesandorganizedsportsencroachonourtime.”

94076554

846072

953025

None

Oncepermonth

Twicepermonth

Amountoftimeyouthministryisofferedinacongregation:

Animate3%

Connect(Sparkhouse)

3%EchotheStory4%

EpiscopalCurriculumforYoungerYouth

3%

EpiscopalCurriculumforOlderYouth

3%

FaithLens3%Feastingonthe

Word4%

GodlyPlay4%

J2A9%

LessonPlansThatWork4%LivingtheGood

News6%

None3%

NOOMA6%

Other10%

Rite-13(J2A)8%

re:form13%

TheThoughtfulChristians

3% WriteOurOwn9%

YAC(J2A)3%

YouthCurricularPrograms


ConfirmationConfirmationisoftentheonlyyouthopportunityofferedinacongregation,especiallyinsmallchurches.Congregationslooktotheirdenominationalpublisherwhenseekingconfirmationpreparationmaterials,however,accordingtomostlayrespondents,preparationisconductedbyclergywho,“createtheirown.”Manylay,includingstaffeducatorswhoparticipatedinthesurvey,didnotknowwhattheclergyusedordidinpreparationclasses.

WhilesurveyrespondentswerepredominatelyassociatedwithanEpiscopalChurch,otherdenominationsnamedtheirdenominations’recommendedcurriculumasbeingused.(Theseareaccountedforinthe“Other”category,withtheexceptionofCo-lab-orate:Lutheranat4%andHereWeStandat3%,bothprogramsoftheELCAaswellasLuther’s

Catechism.WeBelievewasnotebyPresbyterians.)AdultEducationMostrespondentsansweredthatadulteducationwasofferedinatleastoneformintheircongregation.Typesmentionedincludetherector’sforum,biblestudy,andlong-termstudiessuchasEducationforMinistry(EfM).DVDserieswerealsonotedaspopular.

Yes84%

No16%

YouthConKirmationClassesOffered

Colaborate4%

ConiirmnotConform12%

HereWeStand3%

IWillWithGod'sHelp

5%

MyFaith,MyLife18%

NotSure5%

Other10%

re:form8%

WriteOurOwn30%

YourFaith,YourLife5%

ConKirmationMaterials

55%30%

15%

OtherAdultEducationOfferings

Bookstudies Speakerseries

ParentingGroups


Towardtheendofthesurveyanopen-endedquestionwasasked.Oneoflargestthemesmentionedwasinregardtoadulteducation.Thereisastrongsenseoffrustrationnotedbyclergyandlayleadersalikeaboutthedesire(orlackthereof)ofadultsinterestedinanyformofeducation.“Asapastor,I’mveryfrustratedthatadultsrefuse(inaruralsetting)tocometochurchforanythingotherthanonehourofworshipeverySunday.EvenConfirmationclassisheldduringworship.”“Everyonewantsit,butnobodyhastimeforit.Foradultprograms,Iusuallyhavestrongattendanceinthebeginning,thenitdwindlesoffafterafewweeksanddies.”

68%ofcongregationswhoofferadulteducationprogramminghavelessthanthirtyindividualswhoregularlyparticipateinthoseofferings.“Fewerandfewerwilltakethetimetocommiteventoa4-or6-weekeducationprogram.Educationcannotbedoneinasingle45-minuteto1-hoursession,letaloneinsermontime.”“Howdoyougetpeople(adults,mainly)toWANTtobepartofformation/educationministries…that’sthemajorquestion.”“InaparishinFloridawithover1,000members,onlyabout50participateinadulteducationfromtimetotime.”

2109

17284

76

3931 22

None

Lessthan10

10-20

21-30

31-50

51-75

76-100

Morethan100

Howmanyadultsregularlyparticpateinyouradulteducationofferings?


AdultEducationProgramsUsed

Itshouldbenotedthatoutof535responsestotheadultportionofthesurvey,mostpublishedprogramsareusedbylessthat50congregationseach.Thelargestcategory,“Other”included21programs,manyofwhichwereunknowntothiscompilerorsimplynotedasBiblestudy,Lentenstudy,orSundayforum.

0100200300400500

235

84

310

3332

419

3733

Weekdaymorning

WeekdayaMernoon

Weeknight

Saturdaymorning

SaturdayaMernoon

Saturdayevening

WhenisAdultEducationoffered?

0

50

100

150

200

250

Adam

Ham

ilton

Alpha

Animate

AugsburgBibleStudies

BethMoore

BibleChallenge

BookofFaith

Church'sTeachingSeries

ChurchNext

Disciple

EducationforM

inistry

Embracingseries

FeastingontheWord

HorizonBibleStudy

InterpretationbibleStudy

Kerygm

aLivingCom

pass

LivingtheGoodNews

LivingtheQuestions2

NOOMA

OnBeing

Other

SynthesisCE

TheThoughtfulChristian

viamedia

WeMaketheRoadby

TheWiredWord

TheWorkofthePeople


Needs,Concerns,andIssuesOver270individualstookthetimetorespondto:Pleaseshareanyneedsorconcernsyouhaveaboutyourcongregationalministries.Alloftheseissueswerementionedinprevioussurveys.Theycanbecategorizedinthefollowingareas:AttendanceAspreviouslynoted,thesizeofacongregationiscorrelatedtohowmanychildrenandyouthattendeducationprogramsaswellasthefinancialburdenimposedupontheminprovidingpublishedmaterials.Seventyindividualsnotedthatsporadicattendance,absenceofyoungfamilies,adecreaseincommitmentfromfamiliestoattendSundaymorningeducation(eitherinadditiontoorinplaceofworship),conflictswithsportsschedules,anddroppingoverallaverageSundayworshipattendanceareaconcernandfrustration.Relatedtothisconcernisthedecreasingamountoftimevolunteershavetogivetotheircongregationintheteachingministry.Commentsincluded:

• “Theycalloutatthelastminute”• “Gettingvolunteerstohelpandstayengaged”• “Minimizingpreptimetokeepvolunteers”• “Moreteachers”• “Notenoughadultvolunteers”• “Recruitingandtrainingofvolunteers”

625

13

26

1520

25

15

16

1915

Fewerthan20

20-50

51-75

76-100

101-125

126-150

151-200

201-250

251-350

AverageSundayAttendance


CostWithsporadicand/ordroppingattendance,smallcongregationsdonothavethefundstopurchasemanyprogrammaticmaterials.Thishasbeenacontinuingissueinallpastsurveys.NeededresourcesandtrainingComparedtoprevioussurveys,thereisanincreaseintherequestforthefollowingcategoriesofmaterials:

• Bi-lingualmaterialstousewithchildrenandadults• Intergenerationalresources(foralllearningtogether)• Multi-ageresources(for‘oneroomschoolhouse’models)• Programmaterialsforusingwithyoungadultpopulations(ages18-25)• DVDstudiesforyouthandadults• Supportforyoungparentsandgrandparentstouseathome• Resourcesforvolunteerteacherswithouthavinglengthyworkshopsfor

themtoattend(SafeChurch,GodlyPlay,• Appsforphonesthatalignwithdenominationaltheology(asopposedtonon-

denominationalcommercialproducts)• Theologically,denominationallyfocusedConfirmationandyouthprograms• Resourcestousewithspecialneedschildren• Waystoaddresstheneedsofadultsatdifferentstagesoflife(mid-life,

seniors,etc.)• Movingawayfrom“paper”curriculumtodigitalplatforms• Conferencesthatfocusjuston“children’sministry”fromadenomination(as

opposedtothemanynon-denominationalconferencesofferedacrossthecountry).Mostdenominationaleducationconferencescoverallagesanddonotspendenoughenergyonchildren.

VisionandSupportThiswashidden“betweenthelines”ofmanyresponses.Layleadersfeltthatmanyclergywerefollowingold“didactic”modelsofteacherorwerenottransparentwiththeirstaffeducatoraboutwhatprograms,materials,ortopicstheywereteaching.Bothclergyandlaystaffnotedadesiretohaveaholisticvisionofeducationandformationfortheentirechurch(denominationally)aswellaswithinthecongregation.ThedesiretoprovidetheologicallysoundmaterialwithvolunteerteacherswhowerenewtotheChristianfaithwasanexpressedconcern.Severalnotedthattheircongregationwasattemptingtodevelopa“comprehensiveChristiannurture”visionoraplanto“continuetogrowandchangesothatthosewhogrowupinthechurchwillremainfaithfulparticipantsasadults.”


CreativityWhileitwouldseemthatallisfrustratinganddire,manyideasofsuccessstoriesandresourceswerealsoshared:

• VibrantFaithministriesinhelpingshapeavisionforeducationandformationforallages

• Invitingvolunteerteacherstobepartofthecurriculumselectionprocess• Groupprojectsfor3rd–5thgraders• Bookswithstudyguidesand/orchapterquestions(inthebookoronline)• Beingsmallmakesusflexibleandcreative• SocietyofSt.JohntheEvangelist’svideoseries(2016)GrowingaWayofLife• LentMadness• “Food,Fellowship,andaFlick”withallagesonFridaynights• Interfaithyouthgroup

CurriculumandLeaderRealitiesAnumberofquestionsinthesurveywereanattempttogetaglimpseofthosewhoareleadingeducationalministriesincongregations.Howmuchtimedotheyspendinplanningprogramsandlessons?Whatismosthelpfulintoday’scurricularproducts?Wheredoyougoforsupportinyourministry?

1371

220

183

103

63

IdonotprepareaheadofSme.

Lessthan30minutes

30-60minutes

1-2hours

Onaverage,howmuchtimedoyouspendplanning/preparingyourlessonseachweek?


Otherincluded:livestreaming,YouTube,feltboardfigures,self-created

0100200300400500600

358

553

90

227

34

Print

Downloadable(online)

CD

Email

Other-Pleasespecify

Whatmedium/mediadoyouprefertoreceivelessonplansforyourcontext?

0100200300400500600

352

186

351359

543

105

Video

Music

Takehomepiece

Learnerpiece(handout,book,etc)

Whatcomponent(s)doyoudesireacurriculumtohave?


Otherpreferencesincluded:books,asneeded,permanent/reusable,nocost

Publishersnoted(inalphabeticalorder):Abingdon,AugsburgFortress,CandlePress,ChristianBookDistributors,ChurchPublishing,Cokesbury,Concordia,FaithAlive,GospelLight,Group,Logos,LiturgyTrainingPublications,MinistryArchitects,Morehouse,ParacletePress,PCUSA,Sparkhouse,St.Mark’sPress,StoryPath,UCCResources,VeritasPress,andWestminsterJohnKnoxPress(WJK).Websites(inadditiontopublisher’swebsites):BuildingFaith,Sermons4Kids,VibrantFaith,GrowChristians,BarnabasinChurches,Pinterest,WorshippingwithChildren,CatechesisoftheGoodShepherd,Forma,ChurchNext,Dioceseof

94

334

67

92

49 SubscripSonbased

Alacarte

Quarterly

Annually

Other-Pleasespecify

Howdoyouprefertopurchasecurriculum?

050100150200250300350

259

157

343

250

147

279309

74

DenominaSonalstaff

Judicatorystaff(diocese,synod,etc.)

Localcolleagues

DenominaSonalorganizaSon(Forma,APCE

Publisher(s)

Website(s):

Whatotheravenuesdoyougotoforministrysupport?


Pennsylvania,IllustratedChildren’sMinistry,LivingCompass,KidsWord,MinistryMatters,PrinceofPeaceEpiscopalChurch(GA),TextWeek,MinistrytoChildren,andFlame.Demographics–Whotookthesurvey?

Certificationsnamed:Forma,CatechesisoftheGoodShepherd,DOCC,EfM,HealthyCongregations,ACE,UCCcertification,PCUSACertifiedEducator,SeminaryoftheSouthwest,andSpiritualGuidanceofChildren(GeneralSeminary)Othereducation:localschoolsofministry,graduatedegreesinotherfields(BA,BS),andpost-degreework:MACE,MA,DMin,Ph.D,M.Div.

CongregaSon

Judicatory(diocese,synod,etc.)Home

Seminary

School

Other-Pleasespecify

Whatisthecontextofyourministryforwhichyouareansweringthissurvey?

Lessthanoneyear

Oneyearormore

Whatisyourexperienceasaneducator(volunteerorstaff)?

2771

95

268

33

145

Highschoolgraduate

UndergraduatedegreeineducaSon

GraduatedegreeineducaSon

Seminarytrained

CerSficateprogram(pleasename)

Other-Pleasespecify

Whatisyoureducationbackground?


Other:• Vestrymember• Catechist• Consultant• Christianeducation

committeemember

Other:Directorof:-Children&Youth-Discipleship-MusicMinistry-CongregationalDevelopmentMinisterof:-Vocation-ParishLifeMinistryAssistantNurseryDirectorSundaySchoolTeacher(paid)WardenTeacher

0

200

400

600

Children,birthto

Middleschool

Collegeageyoung

Youngparents,

Retiredpersons

339

485428

346

192224261

343273

Children,birthtoage2

Children,age3throughgrade5

Middleschoolchildren(grades6-8)

Highschoolstudents(grades9-12)

Collegeageyoungadults,nochildren(aYoungemployedadults,nochildren(agesYoungparents,underage30

Adultsaged30orolder

ReSredpersons

Whatagegroups(s)doyouhavesomeresponsibilityfor?

141

241

235

19

Volunteer

Laystaff

Ordainedstaff

Other-Pleasespecify

Whatisyourroleinformationministries?

162

436116

81

25240

Rector/LeadPastor

AssociatePriest/Pastor

Deacon

DirectorofChrisSanEducaSon/FormaSo

DirectorofChildren'sMinistry(mayinc

DirectorofYouthMinistry

DirectorofAdultMinistry

Other-Pleasespecify

Whatbestdescribesyourrole?


FullSme

PartSmeEmployment

182

286

392

227 Yes

No

Doyouwishyouhadmoretimeforyourministryresponsibilities?

342

131Yes

No

ReceiveRetirementBeneKits

281

191 Yes

No

ReceiveHealthCarebeneKits

31

83

80

139

60

3841

Lessthan$10,000

$10,000-$24,999

$25,000-$39,999

$40,000-$59,999

$60,000-$74,999

$75,000ormore

Iprefernottoanswer

AnnualSalary


Otherdenominationsrepresentedinthissurvey:

ServeinanEpiscopalChurch68%

Serveinanother

denomination32%

DenominationalAfKiliation

100 9 330

56

10

37113010

28

30

21

AfricanMethodistEpiscopalAmericanBapSstAnabapSst/MennoniteAnglican(ChurchofEngland,ChurchofCAnglicanChurchofNorthAmerica(ACNA)DisciplesofChristIndependentLutheran(ELCA)Lutheran(MissouriSynod)Orthodox(Eastern)PresbyterianUSAQuakerReformedChurchofAmericaRomanCatholicSeventhDayAdvenSstSouthernBapSstUnitarianUniversalistUnitedChurchofChrist(UCC)UnitedMethodistOther-Pleasespecify

2016 christian education curriculum survey · pdf fileapce, cef, auce, and the christian...

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