To ask how to encourage younger people to join in church

[Ihatecocomelon]

Just that really. I'm not entering debate about what exists etc.

What would draw your children or teenagers into going to church regularly?

Our church has plenty of the older generation but only a couple of younger children and maybe 2 young couples with babies.

Thank you 😊

@Ihatecocomelon
thank you that’s encouraging to hear
iys a very quiet village, main hub is the church but since we’ve moved here keep feeling it’s not really for us etc but also keep thinking it’s a shame as would love to join in with the community aspect !

That ^^ I was brought up c of e, and went to a c of e school. My mum went to church and I sometimes went with her
When she died, for some reason it was really important to me to get the chaplain to come and the ward arranged it just after she died. It actually brought me some comfort
I want to explore religion again but I'm just a bit nervous of going on my own and what's expected!

@IAmTheUsername
"They are a branch of Christianity."

That is incorrect.

They reject the Trinity, that there is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is the basis of Christianity. They deny the deity of Christ, His physical resurrection, and salvation by grace.
These make it non-Christian.

"I know first hand Jehovahs Witnesses consider themselves the true / proper Christians. The other lot have been persuaded off the true path by the devil."

They can consider themselves to be what they like - it doesn't make it so.

Bribery and brainwashing seems to have been the MO for the church over millennia, why not give that a go?

Funnily enough when I lived in a city I didn’t feel self conscious and attended things like carols and other events and never felt like I might get scrutinised but also appreciate it’s my own self consciousness keeping me back !

In the city where I lived, they’d also put on plays at the church and lots of non religious events like that so it felt easier to visit if that makes sense

Please read all my posts on this thread. Thank you 😊

Why not pop down to your local Kingdom Hall? In my years I have been to 3, each lots of families/ young people, bible study groups, a real social community. My sister made lots of friends her age when she moved at 22 through the hall. Fits the bill.They'll have a lot of leaflets about the truth and honestly any would be happy to sit with you for hours, its all part of the work. They too are interested and happy to talk about all faiths, you don't have to be a JW to go. You'd fit right in, you have similar thoughts even though you're walking on the devils path next door to the truth. They can even come to you, reach out. Plus someone needs to tell them about what Rick did. (Before anyone critises me for conversion- I am not a JW! More than I'm flopping the coin so to speak!).

It seems like you’re wanting a community thing, in which case no need to include or make reference to the church. If you ditch the church aspect then you might find people more attracted to it. After all, Christianity (or the Church with a big C) has committed so much evil in the world, it may put many people off.

However if you want to involve the church then as I said, brainwashing and bribery has been the MO for millennia & it’s never served the Christian church wrong!

I'm sorry I don't understand the tone of your reply, if you're being sarcastic or not.

I'm.not a JW.

I think I'll get this thread removed. I really wish other posters would read all my posts to understand what I mean.

Again I didn't post to brainwash or recruit I should have given it more thought before I posted. That's my fault and for those of you just joining I have autism.

@MNHQ please remove thank you

If you want community build up start up a community group without any religious aspect to it. You’d probably get many more people coming long tbh. Not everyone is religious and a community group is probably the way to go.

Perhaps not for kids, but as someone in their early 30s, I could possibly be tempted to attend a regular "Christianity for dummies" meeting/discussion group, especially if accompanied by tea and cake (or beer, if allowed). Somewhere to learn about and discuss key bible stories like the Good Samaritan, Tower of Babel and their relevance in modern-day society. Basically something where it is not about faith in a higher being, but about morality and the ways in which Christian thinking is reflected and challenged in society today.

I think the key is though that such events need to be led by engaging people, those who have a natural ability to feel newcomers feel welcome and included without it feeling like a recruitment event. My MiL occassionally attends church, and I accompanied her once to the nativity event which obviously was full of non-regular churchgoes, and the vicar was great. Lighthearted, engaging, and funny, basically perfect at drawing in non-converts.

I kinda have to as that's where it is. But yes unfortunately with the community part you'd have to endure the sermon and hymns. Which I'm not a fan of, however they are a bit more interactive now which is fun.

I certainly don't care if anyone is gay etc.

This

Yeah the new minister we have is funny and engaging. Not a boring old fart who preaches.

Again having autism makes it hard for me to explain what I like and why.

Op I totally understand what you mean were asking and I found it useful as you managed to address an issue I’ve been thinking about for a while. Thanks for raising it

Ah but they think you've got it wrong. Christianity is believing Christ is real. The one and true god is Jehovah, so they call themselves Jehovahs Withesses but are Christians but also they wouldn't want to be associated with your branch of it. I am so rusty on this. The other lot spend too much time worshipping Jesus which is wrong because he is not a god. Even wearing a cross to represent Jesus, not to represent god. Mainstream Christians celebrate many pagan holidays, however they try to reframe them.

It's in the name, Christians worship christ so I see your point. But I also feel if you believe in christ you're a Christian of some variety. But those who don't worship christ go by another religion.

Our church has a lot of families. We are the furthest point away from high church you can get which helps. Children are encouraged to wave flags, play small musical instruments etc. During term times there are 4 childrens groups run by dbs checked volunteers whilst their parents attend the service. The hymns are modern and all on the screen and the service is broadcast online too. The dress code is very relaxed with most wearing jeans. There are lots of community events, toddler Teddy bears picnics, fun day including free bouncy castle or Easter craft day, free bacon sandwiches in the community on some weeks and collections for the food banks etc. A lot more people came on the Sunday after the Queen died. They were welcomed but never pressure to come again etc. We have volunteer greeters too to help people with what to do and where to sit. I wish you luck. I finally feel at home at the church I go to. It's not the nearest one but it feels like home.

(I believe in many dietys and the Christian ones are not included- just want to make that very clear ! I just mean from their perspective!)

Food, such as a brunch/lunch after or before the service might help?

You could have differently themed food each time such as Italian, Autumn produce, bagels and so on.

It requires a little money and organisation though. I think it would be popular.

some ideas:

• staging a play
• a book club
• And what other posters have suggested, a local community meet up

Yes, you may not care about people being gay or the numerous (& horrific) stances the Church or Christianity has taken on other things, but many would. I know I would, as would many of my circle of friends.

You mention ‘enduring’ hymns & sermons, but not everyone wants to be preached at by a bastion of hypocrisy, an institution which has caused countless wrongs in the world. I certainly wouldn’t, and would not want to indoctrinate my children into such an institution.

As I said previously, if you want to create a community hub then do, if you only have a space in a Church hall, then do it. But if you want to encourage people to join, think about leaving preaching well out of it, especially when so many people don’t believe in God or think Christianity has anything of worth in a modern society.

Thank you, I'm rather food motivated and had thought of something like this.

When I was a child, my parents treated church like child care and respite. We'd be dropped off in the evening, then they'd go off to do whatever. I can't remember all the activities, but I do remember being taught to line dance, moonwalk, drama lessons, some crafty things. With a bit of praying at the end. Some churches sent buses around the streets to gather up kids. I don't know if churches still do that kind of thing, but it definitely got a lot of children through the doors back in the 90s.

Thank you. I'm sorry I seem to upset you, not my intention.

Please don't be so aggressive when I haven't been to you. Have a good evening.

Oh, I’m sorry you thought I was aggressive, I didn’t think I was at all. I was just putting my point across, and goodness knows that when you post on mumsnet you’re get a variety of opinions!

But having been brought up in the (Catholic) church, I feel strongly about indoctrination, and also about being honest about what the Church is and does. Also, given the predilection for Christian institutions to veer towards (& cover up!) numerous cases of child abuse, I’m wary about trying to indoctrinate children into it.