The Church Revitalization Podcast – Episode 301- How to attract young families to church
“We are an older congregation with little to no ability to minister to children. What methods would you use to allow us to grow in size?”
This heartfelt question from one of our podcast listeners captures the reality facing countless churches across America. If you’re reading this, chances are you recognize your own congregation in that description—and you’re not alone.
The gray hair is getting thicker in the pews. The children’s ministry rooms that once echoed with laughter now sit mostly empty. The families that used to fill your sanctuary have either moved away or found churches that seem better equipped to serve their young children. You look around on Sunday morning and see the same faithful faces, but they’re all a generation older than the families you’re hoping to reach.
Here’s the truth that many aging congregations struggle to accept: your church didn’t become an older congregation overnight, and it won’t grow younger overnight either. But here’s the hope that keeps us going: it absolutely can happen.
Churches across the country are successfully learning how to attract young families, even after years of decline. It requires honest assessment, strategic changes, and consistent effort—but it’s entirely possible. You don’t need a massive budget, a brand-new facility, or a complete staff overhaul. What you need is a clear plan and the willingness to implement it.
In this article, we’ll walk through five proven strategies that can help your aging church begin attracting young families again. These aren’t theoretical concepts—they’re practical steps that real churches have used to revitalize their congregations and grow younger.
The journey from an aging congregation to one that successfully attracts young families isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. Let’s explore how your church can make this transformation happen.
1. Start with Heart Change: Face the Brutal Truth
Before you can attract young families to your church, you need to have an honest conversation that might be difficult to hear. The first step in learning how to attract young families isn’t about programming or facilities—it’s about acknowledging reality and committing to change.
Recognize What Really Happened
Your church didn’t become an aging congregation by accident. This has been a slow process, likely happening over many years. Maybe you’ve watched it happen. Maybe you’ve been hoping it would reverse itself naturally. But the time for hoping and waiting is over.
Whether your church leadership needs to call a family meeting with the remaining 30 members, or you’re still a good-sized congregation that has simply lost all its younger families, someone needs to say what everyone can see: “We aren’t where we used to be, and we’re not where we want to be in the future.”
Commit to Change or Accept the Consequences
Here’s the hard truth: you cannot expect families and young children to suddenly want to be part of your church unless you do something differently. Your fate is sealed unless you choose to change—but the encouraging news is that you absolutely can change.
This means acknowledging that there are reasons why young families either left your church or visit once and never return. And those reasons probably aren’t what you think they are.
Stop Blaming External Factors
It’s tempting to blame shifting culture, judge young families as shallow, or assume they just don’t like older people. But this kind of thinking will keep you stuck. Instead, ask the harder questions:
- What vibe is our church putting off to families in the community?
- When a family walks through our doors, what do they actually experience?
- What are we doing wrong that we need to change?
Get Leadership Aligned
This heart change must start with church leadership. Leaders need to model the belief that growing younger is both possible and worth the effort required. They need to shut down the negative self-talk and the voices saying “it’s not possible” or “young families today just don’t want what we offer.”
The truth is, young families are looking for churches where they feel welcomed, where their children are valued, and where they can grow in their faith. If your church can provide that—and communicate it effectively—families will come.
Remember: by God’s grace, it’s His will that your church would be effective. You don’t have to hope that God wants your church to reach families—you can know it. He has a heart for families, and if you have that same heart and put in the effort, you can trust that He will bless your efforts.
2. Create an Outstanding Physical Space for Children
Once your heart and mindset are aligned, it’s time to focus on the practical reality that young families face when they visit your church. The physical space you provide for children will make or break their decision to return.
Go Beyond “Clean” to “Fresh and Inviting”
Many aging churches think their children’s spaces are fine because they’re clean. But cleanliness is just the minimum bar—it’s not nearly enough to attract young families nowadays. When parents walk into your children’s area, they need to think, “I would be happy to leave my child here.”
Your children’s ministry space needs to look and feel:
- Fresh: When was the last fresh coat of paint applied? Are the colors bright and cheerful?
- Updated: Would the toys and equipment be considered safe by modern standards?
- Intentional: Does it look like thought and care went into designing this space for children?
Pay Attention to the Journey, Not Just the Destination
Don’t just focus on making the children’s room itself look good—consider the entire experience of getting there. If families have to walk down a dark hallway with old wood paneling and worn carpet to reach a basement room, you’re creating anxiety before they even see your beautiful space.
The route to children’s ministry should be:
- Well-lit and bright
- Clearly marked with cheerful signage
- Safe and welcoming
- Easy for parents carrying diaper bags and toddlers
Invest in Safety and Security Systems
Modern parents expect robust safety protocols. Your children’s ministry must have clear systems for:
- Check-in procedures: Parents need to know exactly who is receiving their child
- Child identification: Every child should be clearly identified and matched to their guardian
- Secure pick-up: Only the authorized person should be able to leave with each child
- Emergency procedures: Staff should know exactly what to do in various scenarios
Start Small but Do It Right
You don’t need to renovate your entire facility. Focus on creating two excellent spaces initially:
- A nursery area for infants and toddlers
- An early elementary space for preschool through early elementary ages
As your ministry grows, you can expand to serve additional age groups. But start with these core areas and make them exceptional.
Budget Realistically But Creatively
You might think this requires a massive budget, but that’s not necessarily true. Churches have successfully created outstanding children’s spaces for less than you may think by:
- Using volunteers for labor while hiring professionals for electrical and safety work
- Shopping at stores like IKEA for clean, modern, affordable furniture
- Partnering with local art students to create cheerful murals
- Focusing on lighting upgrades that make spaces feel bright and welcoming
Remember: This Is What Parents Expect
You might feel frustrated that physical appearance matters so much, thinking the spiritual aspect should be most important. But here’s the reality: this is what parents expect. You can call it unreasonable, but if you resist investing in quality children’s spaces, you’ll probably max out at far fewer families than you envision.
The goal isn’t to compete with Disney, but when families walk into your children’s area, they should immediately feel that their children are valued and that this church takes kids seriously.
3. Be Staffed and Ready Every Single Week
Having a beautiful children’s space means nothing if you’re not consistently prepared to use it. One of the biggest mistakes aging churches make is taking a “wait and see” approach to children’s ministry staffing. This strategy virtually guarantees that families won’t return.
The “If You Build It, They Will Come” Principle
More accurately, it’s “if you don’t build it, they definitely won’t come.” You must be prepared for children every single Sunday, whether you currently have children attending or not. This means:
- Volunteers are present and ready in the children’s area every week
- Curriculum is prepared and age-appropriate activities are planned
- The space is set up with lights on and materials ready
- Staff knows their roles and can provide excellent care
Train Your Team and Keep Them Engaged
Don’t wait until the first family shows up to start training volunteers. Recruit and train your children’s ministry team now, and have them serve consistently even if it’s just the pastor’s kids attending. This serves several purposes:
- Your team stays practiced and confident in their roles
- You work out any kinks in your systems before guests arrive
- When families do visit, everything appears normal and established
- Your volunteers feel valued and stay engaged in the ministry
Act Like It’s Normal When Families Arrive
When that first family finally walks through your doors with children, the worst thing you can do is make a huge deal about it. Don’t say things like:
- “Oh my goodness, you’re our first kids ever!”
- “We’re so excited to finally have children here!”
- “Let me just turn on the lights in the children’s room…”
Instead, greet them warmly but act like having children is completely normal for your church. Have your volunteers ready, your systems in place, and treat the children like the valuable guests they are.
Consider Investing in Part-Time Children’s Ministry Staff
If your church has the budget for one part-time staff person beyond the senior pastor, strongly consider hiring someone for children’s ministry rather than worship or other areas. A part-time children’s ministry coordinator can:
- Ensure consistency in preparation and programming every week
- Recruit and train volunteers more effectively
- Bring a younger, fresher face to the ministry
- Focus specifically on connecting with families in the community
This isn’t a silver bullet that will instantly fill your children’s ministry, but it demonstrates your commitment to families and helps ensure excellent execution week after week.
Prepare for Success, Not Failure
Many aging churches operate from a scarcity mindset: “We don’t have kids, so we don’t need to prepare for kids.” This becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead, operate from an abundance mindset: “God is going to bring families to our church, and we’re going to be ready for them.”
The difference in these approaches is dramatic. Churches that consistently prepare for children, even when they don’t have them, often find that families begin showing up. Churches that only activate children’s ministry when kids are present usually struggle to retain the families who do visit.
Learn from Real Success Stories
One pastor we worked with had six children of his own, but if it was only his kids, they wouldn’t staff the children’s ministry. His wife was the only volunteer, and she had to choose between attending the service or running children’s ministry with her own kids.
We encouraged them to staff the ministry every week regardless, and to recruit additional volunteers. Within a few months, he was calling to say they had families showing up regularly and children’s ministry was thriving. The consistency and preparation made all the difference.
4. Connect with Families in Your Community (External Outreach)
Having an excellent children’s ministry space and being fully staffed won’t matter if families don’t know you exist or have any connection to your church. To attract young families, you must intentionally go where families are and build authentic relationships in your community.
Understand This as an Outreach Effort
When you say “we would love to have kids to minister to,” you’re essentially saying “we want to do outreach to families.” Children don’t drive themselves to church—they come because their parents bring them. And parents bring their children to churches where they feel connected, welcomed, and valued.
This means your church members need to get out of the building and into the community where young families spend their time.
Go Where Families Actually Are
If you want to connect with families, you have to be intentional about being where families are. This might require changing your social patterns and weekly routines, but it’s essential for building relationships. Consider getting involved in:
Youth Sports and Activities:
- Volunteer at little league concession stands
- Help with team management or coaching
- Attend games and practices regularly (not just when your grandchild plays)
School System Opportunities:
- Volunteer as a reading buddy or tutor
- Help with school events and fundraisers
- Participate in community education initiatives
Community Family Events:
- Attend local festivals and fairs
- Participate in community service projects
- Join parent groups or community organizations
Neighborhood Engagement:
- Be present at HOA meetings and neighborhood events
- Organize or participate in block parties
- Volunteer for local charities that serve families
Build Authentic Relationships First
The goal isn’t to immediately advertise your church to every family you meet. Instead, focus on building genuine relationships and demonstrating Christ’s love through your actions and character. When people see your heart for families and your authentic faith, they’ll naturally become curious about your church community.
Shift Your Social Circle
This might be challenging, but consider how you currently spend your free time. If you’re primarily socializing with other retirees, attending senior adult activities, and spending time only with people your age, you’re missing opportunities to connect with families.
You don’t have to abandon your current relationships, but you may need to intentionally add activities and commitments that put you in contact with parents and children.
Partner with Other Churches
Consider collaborative approaches that can help multiple aging churches in your area:
- Joint VBS Programs: Partner with other small churches to create a larger, more appealing vacation Bible school
- Community Events: Work together to host family-friendly events that serve your entire area
- Resource Sharing: Share volunteers, supplies, and expertise to create better programming
- Family Exchange: In some cases, you might even ask a thriving church to “loan” some younger families to help kickstart your children’s ministry
Utilize Church-Based Community Outreach
While you’re building individual relationships in the community, also create opportunities for families to connect with your church property and programs:
Trunk or Treat Events: Host Halloween alternatives, but make sure you’re collecting contact information and following up with families afterward.
Community Service Projects: Organize family-friendly service opportunities that show your heart for the community.
Free Family Events: Host movie nights, game days, or educational workshops that provide value to families without any expectation.
Update Your Online Presence
Families will research your church online before visiting. Make sure your website includes:
- Clear information about your children’s ministry (but be authentic about your current size)
- Photos that accurately represent your church family
- Contact information and service times
- Your church’s mission and values clearly stated
Don’t portray yourself as something you’re not, but do make sure your online presence reflects a church that welcomes and values families.
Be Patient but Persistent
Building relationships in the community takes time. You won’t see immediate results from volunteering at one school event or attending a few baseball games. But consistent presence in the community, combined with authentic relationships and excellent preparation at your church, will begin to bear fruit over time.
For more detailed strategies on community outreach for aging congregations, check out our Episode 260: Revitalizing Your Aging Congregation – 3 High-Impact Strategies in 90 Days.
How to Attract Young Families to Your Aging Church: 5 Proven Strategies
“We are an older congregation with little to no ability to minister to children. What methods would you use to allow us to grow in size?”
This heartfelt question from one of our podcast listeners captures the reality facing countless churches across America. If you’re reading this, chances are you recognize your own congregation in that description—and you’re not alone.
The gray hair is getting thicker in the pews. The children’s ministry rooms that once echoed with laughter now sit mostly empty. The families that used to fill your sanctuary have either moved away or found churches that seem better equipped to serve their young children. You look around on Sunday morning and see the same faithful faces, but they’re all a generation older than the families you’re hoping to reach.
Here’s the truth that many aging congregations struggle to accept: your church didn’t become an older congregation overnight, and it won’t grow younger overnight either. But here’s the hope that keeps us going: it absolutely can happen.
Churches across the country are successfully learning how to attract young families, even after years of decline. It requires honest assessment, strategic changes, and consistent effort—but it’s entirely possible. You don’t need a massive budget, a brand-new facility, or a complete staff overhaul. What you need is a clear plan and the willingness to implement it.
In this article, we’ll walk through five proven strategies that can help your aging church begin attracting young families again. These aren’t theoretical concepts—they’re practical steps that real churches have used to revitalize their congregations and grow younger.
The journey from an aging congregation to one that successfully attracts young families isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. Let’s explore how your church can make this transformation happen.
1. Start with Heart Change: Face the Brutal Truth
Before you can attract young families to your church, you need to have an honest conversation that might be difficult to hear. The first step in learning how to attract young families isn’t about programming or facilities—it’s about acknowledging reality and committing to change.
Recognize What Really Happened
Your church didn’t become an aging congregation by accident. This has been a slow process, likely happening over many years. Maybe you’ve watched it happen. Maybe you’ve been hoping it would reverse itself naturally. But the time for hoping and waiting is over.
Whether your church leadership needs to call a family meeting with the remaining 30 members, or you’re still a good-sized congregation that has simply lost all its younger families, someone needs to say what everyone can see: “We aren’t where we used to be, and we’re not where we want to be in the future.”
Commit to Change or Accept the Consequences
Here’s the hard truth: you cannot expect families and young children to suddenly want to be part of your church unless you do something differently. Your fate is sealed unless you choose to change—but the encouraging news is that you absolutely can change.
This means acknowledging that there are reasons why young families either left your church or visit once and never return. And those reasons probably aren’t what you think they are.
Stop Blaming External Factors
It’s tempting to blame shifting culture, judge young families as shallow, or assume they just don’t like older people. But this kind of thinking will keep you stuck. Instead, ask the harder questions:
- What vibe is our church putting off to families in the community?
- When a family walks through our doors, what do they actually experience?
- What are we doing wrong that we need to change?
Get Leadership Aligned
This heart change must start with church leadership. Leaders need to model the belief that growing younger is both possible and worth the effort required. They need to shut down the negative self-talk and the voices saying “it’s not possible” or “young families today just don’t want what we offer.”
The truth is, young families are looking for churches where they feel welcomed, where their children are valued, and where they can grow in their faith. If your church can provide that—and communicate it effectively—families will come.
Remember: by God’s grace, it’s His will that your church would be effective. You don’t have to hope that God wants your church to reach families—you can know it. He has a heart for families, and if you have that same heart and put in the effort, you can trust that He will bless your efforts.
2. Create an Outstanding Physical Space for Children
Once your heart and mindset are aligned, it’s time to focus on the practical reality that young families face when they visit your church. The physical space you provide for children will make or break their decision to return.
Go Beyond “Clean” to “Fresh and Inviting”
Many aging churches think their children’s spaces are fine because they’re clean. But cleanliness is just the minimum bar—it’s not nearly enough to attract young families in 2025. When parents walk into your children’s area, they need to think, “I would be happy to leave my child here.”
Your children’s ministry space needs to look and feel:
- Fresh: When was the last fresh coat of paint applied? Are the colors bright and cheerful?
- Updated: Would the toys and equipment be considered safe by modern standards?
- Intentional: Does it look like thought and care went into designing this space for children?
Pay Attention to the Journey, Not Just the Destination
Don’t just focus on making the children’s room itself look good—consider the entire experience of getting there. If families have to walk down a dark hallway with old wood paneling and worn carpet to reach a basement room, you’re creating anxiety before they even see your beautiful space.
The route to children’s ministry should be:
- Well-lit and bright
- Clearly marked with cheerful signage
- Safe and welcoming
- Easy for parents carrying diaper bags and toddlers
Invest in Safety and Security Systems
Modern parents expect robust safety protocols. Your children’s ministry must have clear systems for:
- Check-in procedures: Parents need to know exactly who is receiving their child
- Child identification: Every child should be clearly identified and matched to their guardian
- Secure pick-up: Only the authorized person should be able to leave with each child
- Emergency procedures: Staff should know exactly what to do in various scenarios
Start Small but Do It Right
You don’t need to renovate your entire facility. Focus on creating two excellent spaces initially:
- A nursery area for infants and toddlers
- An early elementary space for preschool through early elementary ages
As your ministry grows, you can expand to serve additional age groups. But start with these core areas and make them exceptional.
Budget Realistically But Creatively
You might think this requires a massive budget, but that’s not necessarily true. Churches have successfully created outstanding children’s spaces for $10,000 or less by:
- Using volunteers for labor while hiring professionals for electrical and safety work
- Shopping at stores like IKEA for clean, modern, affordable furniture
- Partnering with local art students to create cheerful murals
- Focusing on lighting upgrades that make spaces feel bright and welcoming
Remember: This Is What Parents Expect
You might feel frustrated that physical appearance matters so much, thinking the spiritual aspect should be most important. But here’s the reality: this is what parents expect in 2025. You can call it unreasonable, but if you resist investing in quality children’s spaces, you’ll probably max out at far fewer families than you envision.
The goal isn’t to compete with Disney, but when families walk into your children’s area, they should immediately feel that their children are valued and that this church takes kids seriously.
3. Be Staffed and Ready Every Single Week
Having a beautiful children’s space means nothing if you’re not consistently prepared to use it. One of the biggest mistakes aging churches make is taking a “wait and see” approach to children’s ministry staffing. This strategy virtually guarantees that families won’t return.
The “If You Build It, They Will Come” Principle
More accurately, it’s “if you don’t build it, they definitely won’t come.” You must be prepared for children every single Sunday, whether you currently have children attending or not. This means:
- Volunteers are present and ready in the children’s area every week
- Curriculum is prepared and age-appropriate activities are planned
- The space is set up with lights on and materials ready
- Staff knows their roles and can provide excellent care
Train Your Team and Keep Them Engaged
Don’t wait until the first family shows up to start training volunteers. Recruit and train your children’s ministry team now, and have them serve consistently even if it’s just the pastor’s kids attending. This serves several purposes:
- Your team stays practiced and confident in their roles
- You work out any kinks in your systems before guests arrive
- When families do visit, everything appears normal and established
- Your volunteers feel valued and stay engaged in the ministry
Act Like It’s Normal When Families Arrive
When that first family finally walks through your doors with children, the worst thing you can do is make a huge deal about it. Don’t say things like:
- “Oh my goodness, you’re our first kids ever!”
- “We’re so excited to finally have children here!”
- “Let me just turn on the lights in the children’s room…”
Instead, greet them warmly but act like having children is completely normal for your church. Have your volunteers ready, your systems in place, and treat the children like the valuable guests they are.
Consider Investing in Part-Time Children’s Ministry Staff
If your church has the budget for one part-time staff person beyond the senior pastor, strongly consider hiring someone for children’s ministry rather than worship or other areas. A part-time children’s ministry coordinator can:
- Ensure consistency in preparation and programming every week
- Recruit and train volunteers more effectively
- Bring a younger, fresher face to the ministry
- Focus specifically on connecting with families in the community
This isn’t a silver bullet that will instantly fill your children’s ministry, but it demonstrates your commitment to families and helps ensure excellent execution week after week.
Prepare for Success, Not Failure
Many aging churches operate from a scarcity mindset: “We don’t have kids, so we don’t need to prepare for kids.” This becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead, operate from an abundance mindset: “God is going to bring families to our church, and we’re going to be ready for them.”
The difference in these approaches is dramatic. Churches that consistently prepare for children, even when they don’t have them, often find that families begin showing up. Churches that only activate children’s ministry when kids are present usually struggle to retain the families who do visit.
Learn from Real Success Stories
One pastor we worked with had six children of his own, but if it was only his kids, they wouldn’t staff the children’s ministry. His wife was the only volunteer, and she had to choose between attending the service or running children’s ministry with her own kids.
We encouraged them to staff the ministry every week regardless, and to recruit additional volunteers. Within a few months, he was calling to say they had families showing up regularly and children’s ministry was thriving. The consistency and preparation made all the difference.
4. Connect with Families in Your Community (External Outreach)
Having an excellent children’s ministry space and being fully staffed won’t matter if families don’t know you exist or have any connection to your church. To attract young families, you must intentionally go where families are and build authentic relationships in your community.
Understand This as an Outreach Effort
When you say “we would love to have kids to minister to,” you’re essentially saying “we want to do outreach to families.” Children don’t drive themselves to church—they come because their parents bring them. And parents bring their children to churches where they feel connected, welcomed, and valued.
This means your church members need to get out of the building and into the community where young families spend their time.
Go Where Families Actually Are
If you want to connect with families, you have to be intentional about being where families are. This might require changing your social patterns and weekly routines, but it’s essential for building relationships. Consider getting involved in:
Youth Sports and Activities:
- Volunteer at little league concession stands
- Help with team management or coaching
- Attend games and practices regularly (not just when your grandchild plays)
School System Opportunities:
- Volunteer as a reading buddy or tutor
- Help with school events and fundraisers
- Participate in community education initiatives
Community Family Events:
- Attend local festivals and fairs
- Participate in community service projects
- Join parent groups or community organizations
Neighborhood Engagement:
- Be present at HOA meetings and neighborhood events
- Organize or participate in block parties
- Volunteer for local charities that serve families
Build Authentic Relationships First
The goal isn’t to immediately advertise your church to every family you meet. Instead, focus on building genuine relationships and demonstrating Christ’s love through your actions and character. When people see your heart for families and your authentic faith, they’ll naturally become curious about your church community.
Shift Your Social Circle
This might be challenging, but consider how you currently spend your free time. If you’re primarily socializing with other retirees, attending senior adult activities, and spending time only with people your age, you’re missing opportunities to connect with families.
You don’t have to abandon your current relationships, but you may need to intentionally add activities and commitments that put you in contact with parents and children.
Partner with Other Churches
Consider collaborative approaches that can help multiple aging churches in your area:
- Joint VBS Programs: Partner with other small churches to create a larger, more appealing vacation Bible school
- Community Events: Work together to host family-friendly events that serve your entire area
- Resource Sharing: Share volunteers, supplies, and expertise to create better programming
- Family Exchange: In some cases, you might even ask a thriving church to “loan” some younger families to help kickstart your children’s ministry
Utilize Church-Based Community Outreach
While you’re building individual relationships in the community, also create opportunities for families to connect with your church property and programs:
Trunk or Treat Events: Host Halloween alternatives, but make sure you’re collecting contact information and following up with families afterward.
Community Service Projects: Organize family-friendly service opportunities that show your heart for the community.
Free Family Events: Host movie nights, game days, or educational workshops that provide value to families without any expectation.
Update Your Online Presence
Families will research your church online before visiting. Make sure your website includes:
- Clear information about your children’s ministry (but be authentic about your current size)
- Photos that accurately represent your church family
- Contact information and service times
- Your church’s mission and values clearly stated
Don’t portray yourself as something you’re not, but do make sure your online presence reflects a church that welcomes and values families.
Be Patient but Persistent
Building relationships in the community takes time. You won’t see immediate results from volunteering at one school event or attending a few baseball games. But consistent presence in the community, combined with authentic relationships and excellent preparation at your church, will begin to bear fruit over time.
For more detailed strategies on community outreach for aging congregations, check out our Episode 260: Revitalizing Your Aging Congregation – 3 High-Impact Strategies in 90 Days.
5. Use Your Life Experience to Serve Families (Internal Ministry)
While external outreach is crucial, you also need to create meaningful ways for families to connect with your church beyond Sunday morning services. Your aging congregation has something incredibly valuable to offer young families: decades of life experience, wisdom, and practical skills that many young parents desperately need.
Bridge the Generational Gap Through Service
Instead of seeing the age difference as a barrier, view it as an opportunity to create authentic intergenerational relationships. When older church members use their skills to genuinely serve young families, it builds the kind of community bonds that keep families coming back.
Offer Practical Life Skills Training
Many young adults today missed out on learning practical skills that older generations take for granted. Your church members can fill this gap by offering workshops and classes:
For Young Mothers:
- Cooking classes teaching budget-friendly, nutritious family meals
- Sewing and mending workshops
- Gardening and food preservation
- Basic home economics and organization
For Young Fathers:
- Handyman workshops covering basic home repairs
- Car maintenance basics
- Financial planning and budgeting
- Grilling and outdoor cooking
For Young Couples:
- Marriage mentoring programs
- Parenting classes led by experienced parents
- Home buying guidance
- Career development advice
Create Family-Focused Programming
Design programs that serve the entire family while creating opportunities for relationship building:
Parents Night Out: Provide free, high-quality childcare so young parents can have date nights. This serves families practically while demonstrating your commitment to supporting their marriages.
Family Movie Nights: Host family-friendly movie screenings with free snacks and childcare for the youngest children during the film.
Intergenerational Game Days: Create opportunities for different generations to play together, building relationships naturally through shared activities.
Community Meals: Regular potluck dinners or hosted meals that bring families together with longtime church members.
Leverage Your Professional Experience
Your church members likely have decades of professional experience that could benefit young families:
- Career Mentoring: Connect young professionals with experienced church members in similar fields
- Small Business Guidance: Help young entrepreneurs with practical advice and networking
- Educational Support: Offer tutoring or homework help for children
- Flip the Script! Ask some younger members to host Technology Training: Teach practical computer and smartphone skills to the older folks.
Provide Respite and Support
Young families often feel overwhelmed and isolated. Your church can provide practical support that makes a real difference:
- Meal Trains: Organize meals for families with new babies, sick children, or other challenges
- Childcare Co-ops: Help families share babysitting responsibilities
- Transportation Help: Assist families who need rides to appointments or events
- Emergency Support: Be available for unexpected childcare needs or other crises
Create Mentoring Relationships
Formal and informal mentoring relationships can be incredibly valuable:
- Grandparent Adoption: Pair older church members with young families as adopted grandparents
- Marriage Mentoring: Experienced couples guide younger couples through relationship challenges
- Parenting Support: Seasoned parents offer advice and encouragement to new parents
- Spiritual Mentoring: Mature believers help younger families grow in their faith
Make It Authentic, Not Transactional
The key to successful internal ministry is authenticity. These programs should flow naturally from genuine relationships and care, not feel like calculated attempts to grow the church. When young families sense that older church members genuinely care about their wellbeing and success, they’ll want to be part of that community.
Start Small and Build Gradually
You don’t need to launch ten different programs at once. Start with one or two areas where your church members have particular expertise or passion. As relationships develop and trust builds, you can expand your offerings based on the actual needs of the families you’re serving.
Remember: Parents Drive the Decision
While children’s programs are important, remember that parents make the decision about where the family attends church. When parents feel valued, supported, and genuinely cared for by the church community, they’ll bring their children consistently. When they feel like the church only wants their children but barely tolerates them as adults, they’ll find somewhere else to go.
Your aging congregation’s wealth of life experience isn’t a liability when it comes to attracting young families—it’s actually one of your greatest assets. Use it wisely, and you’ll create the kind of intergenerational community that benefits everyone involved.
Also check out:
How to Attract Younger People to Your Church
Four Questions Young Families Ask When Looking for a Church
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