Tweenagers in the church: an empirical perspective on attitude development

Abstract

A sample of 10,153 churchgoing young people between the ages of 8 and 14 years completed the Scale of Attitude toward Church, together with a range of other indices. The data demonstrated that even among churchgoing young people: attitude toward church became less positive between the ages of 8 and 14; girls held a more positive attitude toward church than boys; liking the music and singing, liking being part of a bigger group and liking the leader were significantly associated with a more positive attitude toward church; all‐age acts of worship and opportunities for young people to leave the all‐age worship to participate in age‐related activities were significantly associated with a more positive attitude toward church; having friends in the church and having parents who model Christian discipleship at home were significantly associated with a more positive attitude toward church.

Acknowledgement

This analysis was sponsored by the St Christopher's Education Trust.