Spirituality, not religion, makes kids happy...Relationships more vital to tweens' emotional health than going to church
Think Middle School ministry is just a necessary bridge to gap the awkward growth from 'kids' to youth? Think again. The link between spirituality and happiness is pretty well-established for teens and adults. More spirituality brings more happiness. Now a study has reached into the younger set, finding the same link in "tweens" and in kids in middle childhood.
This is an interesting article in light of a number of youth ministry studies, books and dynamics that discuss the importance of 'Presence" of an influencial adult in young lives rather than teh formal religious programming of 'fatih'.
Specifically, the study shows that children who feel that their lives have meaning and value and who develop deep, quality relationships — both measures of spirituality, the researchers claim — are happier.
