Strategies to increase the retention of the children of members - with Al James 

A suggestion - that the most senior youth leader sends an email to parents explaining the content for that week. It will be good preparation for the leader (ensuring they are prepared for church) - and it's educating the parents (whether they believe or don't believe) in the things of God. This gives the parent a greater chance to talk with their child about what is being covered. And perhaps most important of all - it's a chance to PROVE to parents that what is happening in youth group is life changing - valuable - critical. Schools do the same thing - they communicate with parents in the hope of creating commitment from three directions - student, teacher, parent. Youth leaders may also feel that if they notify parents of deeper themes being discussed at church this may give them the chance (if they are wise in their approach) to discuss deeper topics - the kinds of issues that will become tests for authentic faith in the future - sexuality, money etc. One way to discuss a deeper issue would be to write out what will be said in full (and tell parents this is the exact content) - giving the parents the chance to choose whether the child attends that week. Parents will say yes almost always - due to their confidence about exactly what is being said - and due to their being respected - included). I presume that churches formally transition people to a higher age group (by visiting the higher group before the official start - meeting people in the higher group) but if not - I believe this is important too. Those who have long been in the higher group for a while and who show signs of authentic faith could be asked to 'mentor' new people. Youth groups should mimic what Jesus did to train the disciples. Jesus' discipleship training school was a mixture of theory and practice. And not just practice at church - practice in the world so faith grows to be something that belongs not just at church but in the world. Free car washes - rubbish clean up - service to the old - street evangelism etc). Youth carol service in the park. Learn and Do. One idea I hope to try in a big city where school is taken very seriously is to provide children the chance to come straight to church on a Friday in the hope of doing some homework before a Friday night gathering. Getting homework done early in the weekend is a nightmare for parents - if the church solves the problem for families the parents are going to get their kid to youth group EVERY WEEK! It also leads to families being better organised - with this enabling them to make Sunday ONLY for church and for rest. And a final idea - invite parents to come half an hour early when picking up their kids - for a cup of coffee or tea or drink - and something small to eat. Believing parents can get to know other believing and non-believing parents through this structure - and they will likely see what their kids are doing - which builds buy in. The most important principle taught in my youth group - which grew from twenty-five people to three hundred over a decade - was not just to invite - and not just to welcome people when they were new to church - but to INCLUDE. We played football in the park and new people would come. INVITE WELCOME INCLUDE.

Our small [ish] evangelical church in Southern Sydney gets much of (1) in that random visitors will come at least, and (2b) especially people from more charismatic/pentecostal backgrounds. However most don't stay after 1 or 2 visits. I think this is similar across evangelical churches in Sydney that aren't huge in size. How do we increase that kind of retention?

(3) - what kids lol ... most of us (including yours truly) don't have kids in the first place for whatever reason, for it to even be an issue.