One Generation from Extinction: How the church connects with the unchurched child

When Robert Raikes started his first Sunday School in 1780, he saw his idea grow to reach 300,000 unchurched children within five years - this in a nation widely ignorant of Christian ideas and values. Mark Griffiths has used Raikes' pioneering work in examining child evangelism in the UK. Working from extensive local and national research (leading to a PhD), he considers how children 'tick', what basic theology is at work in Christian outreach, and what constitutes best practice in child evangelism. His text is studded with insights and observations, and brings together the author's passion for his subject with the rigour of careful research. This is an unparalleled resource, laying the foundations of future growth.

Table of Contents:
Contents Acknowledgments 11 Issues of Ethics 13 Foreword 15 Introduction 17 Part 1 The History and Prac tice of Children’s Outreach 1 Robert Raikes and the Sunday School Movement 23 Robert Raikes Robert Raikes’ England Raikes’ model of child evangelism (1780–1800) 2 Child Evangelism at the End of the Twentieth Century 57 ‘Fifties Freefall’? All-age worship Bill Wilson and the Metro Sunday School Midweek attendance 3 Child Evangelism in the Twenty-first Century 67 The questionnaire Analysis Conclusion 4 Four Key Projects 80 Introduction The Fraserburgh project The Leeds project The Hastings project The Liverpool project 5 The Slough and Windsor Project 109 Introduction The Saturday club Home visits School visits Small groups Part 2 Connecting with the Unchurched Child 6 Theology 145 The spiritual state of the pre-evangelized child Child evangelism as Christian education Child evangelism as encounter Conclusion 7 Sociology 206 Social environment and influences on the child The state of the church 8 Practice 228 Professional teachers Hymn-singing and prayer Rewards, prizes and incentives Connection between Children’s Outreach Project and parents Meeting a clear social need and empowerment Communication Connection between Children’s Outreach Project and church Connection between Children’s Outreach Project and local schools 9 Conclusions and Recommendations 285 1 Methodology and Literature Review 301 2 The Self-completion Questionnaire 311 3 Survey and Quantitative Research (Phase 2): 314 New Zealand and Australia Bibliography 321

About the Author :
Revd Dr Mark Griffiths is a Practical Theologian. He is tutor in Missional Research and Practical Theology and also oversees Children, Young People and Family Ministry at St Padarn's Institute, the training arm of the Church in Wales. He has led and been involved in leading several growing churches, holding positions from Children's Pastor and Associate Minister, to Senior Leader and was New Wine's Head of Children and Family Ministry for 13 years. He has written 9 books primarily on family ministry and its links to church growth.