Stephen Grcevich, MD

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

President, Board of Directors

Key Ministry Foundation

April 1, 2011

Raising Spiritual Champions: What Does the Data Say?

Key Ministry Foundation, 8401 Chagrin Road, Suite 14B, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023Stephen Grcevich, MD, President (440) 543-3400, E-mail: drgrcevich@fcbtf.orgRebecca Hamilton, Executive Director (440) 708-4488 Web: www.keyministry.org

What constitutes a “Spiritual champion?”

An irrepressible follower of Jesus Christ who accepts the Bible as truth, lives by its principles and seeks ways to impact the world and continually deepen his or her relationship with God.

George Barna, Revolutionary Parenting, Tyndale (2007)

Sources of data:

Search Institute Study of Impact of Christian Education…3 ½ year long study, 2,365 kids, primarily from mainline denominations (PC-USA, UMC, UCC, ELCA, Disciples of Christ, Southern Baptists as comparison group)

Lifeway research project…Clay Reed, Ed Stetzer…to be published in upcoming book

Barna Group: Research summarized in book Revolutionary Parenting (Tyndale Press, 2007)

Benson PL, Elkin CH. Search Institute (1990)Lifeway Exchange, November, 2010: http://www.edstetzer.com/the-exchange.htmlThe Barna Group, Ventura, CA http://www.barna.org

Challenges faced by Christian parents (Barna, 2003):

By age 9, most children have their spiritual moorings in placeFour out of every five churched kids in the US do not know what worship isLess than 5% of churched kids have developed a biblical worldview by age 13Less than 5% of churched households ever worship God outside a church service or have any regular Bible study or devotional time together

A biblical worldview is characterized by: belief in absolute moral truth, as contained in the Bible, believes the Bible is accurate in its teachings, Jesus led a sinless life, Satan is real, all believers are responsible for sharing their faith with others, the only means to salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, and God is the all-knowing and powerful creator of the universe, and still rules today.

What are the odds of professing faith in Christ by age?

Age Category:

Likelihood of first expression of faith in Christ (percent of US population):

5-12 32%

13-18 4%

19+ 6%

George Barna: Transforming Kids into Spiritual Champions, Regal Publishing (2003)

Characteristics of a Spiritual Champion

Accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and SaviorAccepts the Bible as truth, a guide for lifeBiblical worldview shapes decision-makingBelieve in moral absolutesBelieve he/she has been created to serve and honor God in specific waysBelieve their life should reflect the character of ChristDonate generously time and money to spiritual causes

George Barna: Transforming Kids into Spiritual Champions, Regal Publishing (2003)

Sources of Data: Search Institute Study of Impact of Christian Education

3 ½ year study designed to evaluate impact of Christian education in five mainline denominations (PC-USA, UMC, UCC, ELCA, Disciples of Christ), plus Southern Baptist ConventionPrimary focus was mainline churches, comparisons made to SBC churchesStudy hypothesis: revitalized Christian education may reverse decline of mainline denominationsFunded by Lilly Endowment in 1987Benson PL, Elkin CH. Search Institute (1990)

Predictors of “Integrated Faith” development in teens:

Most important: “Family Religiousness”:

Frequency of discussions with mother or father about faith

Frequency of family prayer (exclusive of meals), family devotions, Bible study

Frequency with which parents and children together were involved in activities to help others

Lifetime involvement in Christian education

Benson, PL, Elkin CH. Search Institute (1990)

Predictors of “Integrated Faith” development in teens (less important):

Next in importance: Lifetime church involvement, religiousness of best friends, experience of a “caring” church, lifetime involvement in serving others, non-church religious activities

Of lesser importance: age (9th and 10th grade lowest), gender (females>males), geography (South, North-Central highest)

Benson, PL, Elkin CH. Search Institute (1990)

Lifeway Study…Predictors of Positive Spiritual Outcomes in Adults:

1. Regularly spent time in prayer...42% of families prayed together as a family several times a week2. Achieved good grades3. Child was not "rebellious" as a child or teen4. Connected with pastor or youth pastor5. Did not use time out to discipline child...49% used time out6. Regularly served at church while growing up7. Participated in ministry or service projects as a family

http://www.edstetzer.com/the-exchange.html November, 2010

Predictors of raising a spiritual champion:

Families with fewer children

Firstborn child more likely to become champion

Married vs. single parents

Parents view parenting as their primary job in life

Socioeconomics not a significant factor

George Barna. Revolutionary Parenting. Tyndale (2007)

Predictors of raising a spiritual champion:

Single-income households

Radically more time spent with children on a daily basis (independently verified average is 90-120 minutes of active dialogue per day with a parent!, US average=less than 15 minutes)

Intentional pursuit of faith maturity: 1. Family conversations that bring biblical views into their shared lives

2. Regular engagement in faith activities (Bible study, worship, prayer) that model integration of faith into their lives

George Barna. Revolutionary Parenting. Tyndale (2007)

Parents of Spiritual Champions: Attitudes Toward the Church’s Role in Faith Development of Kids:

Parents (not the church) have primary responsibility for faith training of kidsChurch’s role is to reinforce lessons taught at homeParents want to be more aware of their child’s church experience, are more likely than typical parents to withdraw their children if the experience doesn’t meet the parent’s expectationsParent satisfaction with children’s/youth ministry was inversely proportional to their expectationsGeorge Barna. Revolutionary Parenting. Tyndale (2007)

Parents of spiritual champions focus upon character development:

Society focuses upon honing skills and grasping information

Parents of spiritual champions “were more concerned about the love they show fellow students as to whether they outperform them”

Character matters more than achievement

George Barna. Revolutionary Parenting. Tyndale (2007)

Parenting strategies of champion parents:

Clear rules that children understood, were consistently enforced without malice, both parents operated with agreement and consistencyPlaced time limits on kids/enforced curfewInfluenced their child’s choice of friends (but cautiously and quietly)Established media limits (TV time, ratings of movies, etc.)Expectation that the child will live by the family’s rules and embrace the family’s values

George Barna. Revolutionary Parenting. Tyndale (2007)

Parents of spiritual champions: Attitudes toward rules at home (Barna, 2007):

96% of champion parents feared a loss their relationship with their child if they fought over every circumstance in which they disagreed

Champion families shared twelve common rules:

1. Always tell the truth, regardless of circumstances or consequences

2. Never cheat or steal

3. Always show respect to others

4. Help others whenever the opportunity arises

5. Control your tongue

6. Don’t judge motives of others, only behavior affecting you personally

7. Take good care of your body

8. Be active in the pursuit of your faith

9. Work hard in school to produce the most excellent work possible

10. Carry out household chores

11. Make sure at least one parent always knows where you are

12. Accept the penalties for inappropriate behavior

Faith characteristics of champion parents:

Genuinely love God

Pray daily

Worship regularly

Read the Bible habitually

Participate in the life of a spiritual community

Apply their resources, spiritual gifts and natural abilities frequently to influence lives

George Barna. Revolutionary Parenting. Tyndale (2007)

Behaviors of champion parents:

Convey a sense of control at homeSensitive to the impact of their wordsOften provided explanations for directivesSelf-sacrificial, willingness to prioritize family was hallmark of fathers of championsHighly engaged, invested time, willing to listenPurposeful modeling of traits they wished their children would display: respect, patience, loveInsistence upon faith in God and obedience to biblical principlesAssumed responsibility for in fostering their child’s faith

George Barna. Revolutionary Parenting. Tyndale (2007)

Summary:Across studies, the most important

predictors of positive spiritual outcomes in kids include…

Regular prayer times together as a familyRegular family devotionals/Bible StudyServing others together as a familyLifetime church attendanceMeaningful connections with adults outside the family through church (senior pastor, youth pastor)Time spent in conversation with parents on a daily basis

Provides FREE training, consultation, resources and support to help churches serve, welcome and include families of kids with hidden disabilities

Stay in Touch!

Church4EveryChild…Steve’s Key Ministry Blog:

http://drgrcevich.wordpress.com

Diving For Pearls…Katie Wetherbee’s Key Ministry Blog

http://katiewetherbee.wordpress.com

http://www.facebook.com/drgrcevichhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Key-Ministry/116940088329098

http://twitter.com/#!/drgrcevichhttp://twitter.com/#!/KeyMinistry

http://cmconnect.org/profile/StephenGrcevichMD