sticky faith
What is Sticky Faith?
Sticky Faith is a ministry framework and parenting philosophy backed by practical and proven ideas to help develop long-term faith in teenagers. It is foundational for the 1:5® Circles of Care spiritual development / mentorship program here at Village Christian.
Giving seniors a “graduation Bible” and hoping for the best just isn't cutting it. Roughly 50% of students walk away from the church after they graduate High School.
In response to this problem, the Fuller Youth Institute has conducted the College Transition Project, a national longitudinal study following over 500 high school seniors during their first three years in college. The goals of this research are to understand the dynamics of youth group graduates’ transition to college and to identify the relationships and best practices in youth ministries, churches, and families that can help set students on a trajectory of lifelong faith and service.
FYI’s research confirms that it’s never too early or too late to start developing faith that continues to grow and lasts. Sticky Faith gives parents and leaders both a theological/philosophical framework and a host of practical relationship and programming ideas that develop long-term faith in teenagers.
What creates Sticky Faith?
Intergenerational Relationships
Despite the age segregation that exists in our churches and broader culture, each young person is greatly benefited when surrounded by a team of five adults. We call this the new 5:1 ratio.
Whole Gospel
Many young people see faith like a jacket: something they can put on or take off based on their behavior. We seek to help students develop a more robust understanding of the gospel, one that integrates faith into all aspects of life.
Partnership with Families
Research demonstrates that parents are the #1 influencers when it comes to spirituality in young people—yes, even teenagers. We help leaders develop new ways to partner with parents, empowering them to nurture faith in their families.
A Safe Place for Doubt
Doubt is not toxic to faith; silence is. Young people want conversations in response to their hardest questions, not just answers. We offer tools and training for these discussions that deepen the faith of everyone involved.
Sticky Faith on NPR
Join Dr. Kara Powell for interfaith dialogue with other moms:
Resources
Sticky Faith
by Dr. Kara Powell and Dr. Chap Clark
Nearly every Christian parent in America would give anything to find a
viable resource for developing within their kids a deep, dynamic faith
that "sticks" long term. Sticky Faith delivers. Research shows
that almost half of graduating high school seniors struggle deeply with
their faith. Recognizing the ramifications of that statistic, the Fuller
Youth Institute (FYI) conducted the “College Transition Project”
in an effort to identify the relationships and best practices that can
set young people on a trajectory of lifelong faith and service.
Based on FYI findings, this easy-to-read guide presents both a compelling rationale and a powerful strategy to show parents how to actively encourage their children’s spiritual growth so that it will stick to them into adulthood and empower them to develop a living, lasting faith. Written by authors known for the integrity of their research and the intensity of their passion for young people, Sticky Faith is geared to spark a movement that empowers adults to develop robust and long-term faith in kids of all ages.
SUPPORTING RESEARCH READ AN EXCERPT
