A new study conducted by The Barna Group of Ventura, California shows that while many aspects of Sunday school remain constant, there have been significant changes.

Church reliance upon Sunday school has remained stable: 19 out of every 20 Protestant churches (95%) offer “a Sunday school in which people receive some form of planned or systematic Bible instruction in a class setting.” Nearly the same proportion of churches - 97% - offered Sunday school eight years ago, when the tracking research began.

Those leading mainline churches (8%), pastors under 40 years of age (10%), and predominately white congregations (12%) were least likely to prioritize Sunday school. On the other hand, those most likely to strongly emphasize Sunday school were African-American congregations (37%), Baptist churches (23%), pastors who have been leading their churches for 20 or more years (23%), charismatic churches (21%), and congregations with pastors age 59 or older (21%).

The changes facing Sunday school seem to be more about the form - not the function - of Sunday school. It appears as though churches are moving toward a 'label-less' future: they will offer summertime programs, but not necessarily VBS(Vacation Bible School), and they will continue to prioritize Christian education, but not necessarily Sunday school.”

To find out more, visit www.barna.org

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