Family Trends Report

The 2025 Family Trends Report

INTRODUCTION: The Family Crisis is a Discipleship Crisis

Churches across America are seeing a troubling pattern: Kids raised in Christian homes, even those highly active in church, are walking away from faith as young adults.

The data is clear: our current approach to family ministry is not enough. Most church models rely heavily on Sunday programming while unintentionally sidelining parents from their God-given role as primary disciplers.

In 2025, families are busier, more fragmented, and more overwhelmed than ever before. Parents know they should be leading spiritually—but many don't know how.

This report explores where the breakdown is happening, what it means for the future of the Church, and what pastors can do about it—starting now.

SECTION 1: Three Alarming Family Discipleship Stats

1. 88% of Christian teens leave the church by age 18

Source: Lifeway Research and Barna Group

This generation is facing an identity crisis.

Many teens feel disconnected from faith because they've never seen it modeled consistently at home.

Youth group alone isn't enough—faith must be lived out in the home.

2. Only 10% of Christian families regularly talk about God together

Source: The Gospel Coalition

Most parents outsource spiritual teaching to church staff.

Bible reading, prayer, and discipleship rhythms are often assumed but not practiced.

Without reinforcement at home, weekly sermons fade fast.

3. Parents feel ill-equipped: 61% say they don't know how to disciple their children

Source: Awana + Barna "Children's Ministry and Family Discipleship" Report

Today's parents are overwhelmed and under-resourced.

The digital age, mental health struggles, and cultural confusion make parenting harder than ever.

Families need confidence and tools—not more guilt.

SECTION 2: What's Causing the Breakdown?

❌ Cultural Pressure + Confusion

Families are bombarded by secular values, digital noise, and performance culture. Parents often feel they're losing ground.

❌ Program-Centered Ministry

When churches focus only on kids and youth programming, they unintentionally separate the family unit instead of strengthening it.

❌ Lack of Vision for the Home

Most families have never written down their values, defined a mission, or created intentional rhythms. They're surviving, not building legacy.

SECTION 3: 5 Ways Churches Can Equip Families Now

1. Train Parents as Disciplers

Teach parents how to lead spiritually at home. Offer tools like simple devotionals, conversation starters, or a "Family Mission Night" guide.

2. Redesign Your Family Ministry Strategy

Shift from program-only to partnership. Every kids/youth program should include a parent piece (weekly texts, take-home guides, discipleship checklists).

3. Host Vision-Casting Moments

Use moments like baby dedications, baptisms, or family events as catalytic training points for parents. Give them a path forward.

4. Offer Coaching & Resources

Launch short-term family discipleship courses (online or live) that walk parents through how to cast vision, define values, and build faith rhythms.

5. Create Church-Wide Rhythms

Model what you want families to do. Weekly church-wide prayer focuses, family nights, or challenges can create alignment across home and church.

SECTION 4: What Happens When We Don't Act?

More teens will leave faith behind—and never return.

Marriages will drift. Parents will feel alone. Kids will adopt cultural values by default.

Churches will remain busy but impact-less at the generational level.

The church will grow older—but not deeper or more rooted in homes.

CONCLUSION: The Church is the Catalyst

Families are hungry for clarity. They're not looking for perfection—they're looking for help.

The local church is uniquely positioned to activate a movement of families living on mission. But it won't happen automatically. It requires vision, training, and a commitment to partner with parents—not just program their kids.

LEGACYMAKERS