Together with Focus on the Family Canada, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) administered the Parenting Faith survey last spring. Recently, the results were unveiled in a comprehensive 254-page report. This distinctive Canadian study sheds light on the factors that facilitate or impede the passing on of faith from today’s parents to their children.
A key finding that stands out is the confirmation that there is a decline in church attendance, which may be disheartening. However, amidst this trend, the report highlights that 99 percent of surveyed parents recognize their responsibility in imparting and exemplifying their faith to their children.
This revelation is indeed uplifting, underscoring the valuable role that Focus on the Family plays daily in supporting parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends who are nurturing the spiritual growth of children.
Here are some additional insights from the report and the potential opportunities for empowering parents to nurture their children’s faith:
- Over time, there has been a significant shift in how parents perceive and fulfill their role as influencers of faith in their children’s lives. While past generations often emphasized blind obedience to religious beliefs without providing explanations, today’s parents express a desire to offer more rationale for their faith and encourage their children to critically engage with Christianity. They prefer engaging in faith discussions with their children, often seizing casual moments like car rides between activities for these conversations. Unlike their predecessors, contemporary parents prioritize leading by example over traditional practices such as reading the Bible or sharing personal testimonies. This shift towards more conversational and relational faith-sharing methods is a positive development, showcasing to children a lived-out faith experience.
- When seeking guidance in nurturing their children’s faith, surveyed parents tend to turn to their peers and podcasts. Fewer parents find assistance through parenting courses offered by churches or ministries. While parents feel supported in their own spiritual growth within their local congregations, they seek additional support specifically tailored to their parenting challenges. This insight informs the initiatives at Focus on the Family Canada to provide resources such as online articles, broadcasts, and magazines aimed at equipping parents in their faith journey.
- The survey indicates that ministry experts believe parents may not be adequately preparing themselves for guiding their children’s faith formation. In contrast, the surveyed parents express confidence in their current approach to faith upbringing and are reluctant to make significant changes. This presents an opportunity for fostering better communication and understanding between churches and parents. Focus on the Family Canada aims to serve as a supportive resource for all individuals invested in nurturing the next generation’s faith.
As a father of two teenage daughters, I empathize with the desire for genuine connections with my children and the aspiration to authentically live out my faith. I am grateful that Focus on the Family Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to assisting families through every life stage. As the survey underscores the importance of authenticity, our ministry will persist in developing valuable resources to aid parents in engaging their children in meaningful conversations about faith and exemplifying their beliefs.
If you require support on your parenting journey, our caring and counseling team is available to assist you. Our certified Christian counselors offer complimentary, one-time phone consultations and can provide referrals to local counselors nationwide. Our team is prepared to offer prayers and support for any challenges weighing on your heart. Reach out to us at 1.800.661.9800 or via email at [email protected]. Parenting is a multifaceted journey, and you are not alone in navigating it.
Warm regards,
Jean-Paul Beran, MA
President