As we look toward 2025, the role of the church has never been more critical—or more complex. Parents and children are navigating a world of increasing demands, distractions, and cultural shifts. For many of us, the church steadfastly remains a source of hope, a foundation of faith, and a place to grow together as a family.

Yet, with declining trust in institutions, changing attendance patterns, and shifting economic headwinds, it’s clear that church leaders must adapt to these challenges to meet the needs of today’s families. 

The goal? To make church the place parents and children want to be—a space where they’re ministered to, equipped with biblical principles, and rooted in a welcoming community.

Here are five challenging trends shaping church families in 2025 and how we, as leaders, can respond with strategies to strengthen their ministries.

1. Declining Trust in Churches

In a society where trust in institutions has hit historic lows, churches are not immune. Trust in churches fell from 37% in 2021 to just 32% in 2023. For parents, this increased skepticism can translate into concerns about safety, transparency, and authenticity within church communities. If these concerns are not addressed, they may be tempted to switch churches or stop attending church altogether. 

How Can We Respond?

To build trust, churches need to prioritize transparency and demonstrate genuine, consistent care for their families and communities. This starts with creating a welcoming environment where parents feel secure leaving their children. For example:

• Safety First: Implement policies for background checks, clear emergency protocols, and child protection training for volunteers.
• Financial Communication: Offer regular updates on church finances, ministry goals, and how their generous contributions make a real impact on the community.
• Authentic Connections: Host family-focused events where parents can meet church leaders and build relationships with other families.

Trust takes time, but by intentionally fostering a culture of integrity and care, churches can become special places of love and belonging.

2. Changing Attendance Habits

With their packed schedules, sports practices, and digital distractions, families are attending church less frequently. In fact, 43% of Christians report that they attend church less than once a month. This creates a big challenge for keeping people engaged, connected, and discipled.

How Can We Respond?

Rather than worrying about lower attendance numbers or pushing people to show up, churches can embrace hybrid ministry models that meet modern family needs while also encouraging them to attend more often in person. Here are some strategies you can use to get started:

• Midweek Engagement: Offer virtual Bible studies, family devotionals, or prayer requests to connect with parents and kids during the week. 
• Digital Resources: Create a church app with access to children’s lessons, family activities, and discipleship content.
• Flexible Programs: Host weekend services or small groups at varied times to give families options that fit their schedules.

By meeting families where they are—both in person and online—churches can deepen engagement and make faith a consistent part of their lives.

3. Declining Christian Self-Identity

The percentage of Americans who identify as Christians has dropped sharply over the decades—from 90% in the 1990s to just 63% in 2023. At the same time, more people (especially youth) consider themselves to be non-religious. This decline reflects a broader cultural shift away from traditional faith practices, and this trend clearly has an impact on how people interact with our churches.

How Can We Respond?

As leaders in the church, we must focus our efforts on reaching unchurched families and reinforcing biblical values within their communities. This challenge can feel intimidating, but fortunately there are many tried-and-true outreach strategies your church can use, such as: 

• Public Outreach Events: Host community gatherings that attract people from your neighborhood like block parties, family movie nights, or sports clinics. These are great ways to introduce families to the church in a less formal way.
• Parent Empowerment: All parents struggle with knowing how to effectively guide and deal with their children. Provide practical workshops and resources that help parents handle conflict, manage their time, and even teach faith at home. These not only help parents do better, they also build biblical principles into their children’s daily lives.
• Personalized Ministry: Through these outreach efforts, take time to get to know families personally. Ask insightful questions and listen to their stories. This will allow your team to offer tailored support that addresses their unique spiritual needs.

The Church’s mission to make disciples is more vital than ever. By being intentional with our outreach and discipleship efforts, we can reintroduce families to the life-transforming power of Christ.

4. Cultural Tensions Impacting Families

According to Pew Research, 80% of U.S. Adults feel that religion is losing its impact on society. On top of this, nearly half of Americans feel conflicts between their religious values and mainstream culture—a statistic that has risen in recent years. 

This tension leaves parents grappling with how to guide their children through complex issues, especially when the Bible teaches its values and society teaches the opposite. 

How Can We Respond?

It’s crucial that we equip parents with practical tools and insights to navigate cultural challenges through a biblical lens, empowering them to lead their families in faith.

• Faith-Based Discussions: Offer age-appropriate guides or sermon series on topics like social media use, peer pressure, or identity. Create spaces in your church and at home to have open and honest discussions, where questions can be freely raised and answered.
• Parent-Child Resources: Provide devotionals or conversation starters that help families discuss difficult topics at home. Fortunately there are an abundance of resources available for free online or for purchase. 
• Workshops and Seminars: Host parenting classes and invite guest speakers to address real-world issues from a faith perspective. 

By partnering with parents, churches can help families thrive spiritually in any cultural moment.

5. Shifts in Generational Attendance

Since COVID, adults over 55 years old are attending church less than ever before. Attendance among Millennials (people between 27 to 42 years old) has grown significantly—up from 21% in 2019 to 39% in 2022. This renewed interest in faith among Millennials has a ripple effect on their children’s spiritual development.

How Can We Respond?

As parents, Millennials are eager to find churches that align with their values and provide enriching experiences for their children. As church leaders, we can demonstrate this by showcasing:

• Eco-Friendly and Service-Focused Outreach: Host events that combine fun with purpose, such as park cleanups or offering “local missionary” outings that provide practical services to people in your community.
• Interactive Children’s Ministry: Use technology to create engaging Bible lessons that impact young lives.
• Mission-Focused Events: Like most generations, Millennials value events that are focused on a specific mission. From outreach projects that serve the local community to international family mission trips, offering purpose-driven events will attract Millennials and their families.
• Inclusive Leadership: Involve Millennial parents in conversations for planning and leading family ministries to make sure programs resonate with their very real needs.

By creating family-friendly experiences that reflect Millennial family priorities, churches can nurture faith that spans multiple generations.

Let’s Move Boldly in Shepherding Families Through 2025

The trends shaping family ministry present both challenges and opportunities for church leaders. By addressing trust issues, adapting to changing attendance habits, and equipping families to navigate cultural tensions, churches can continue to make eternal impacts in their communities.

As you prepare your church for the coming year, remember that parents and children are looking for a place to belong—a sanctuary where they’re not only welcomed but ministered to, equipped with godly principles, and rooted in a supportive faith community.

From the team at Subsplash, we hope you can make 2025 the year your church becomes the place where families flourish—where parents feel inspired, children grow in faith, and every single person feels at home.