Ken Ham (in his book Already Gone) suggests that even though the research data suggests that the church may be better off by eliminating these programs, that would be too radical. He wants to be "solution" oriented, to focus on the positive rather than be negative. Mr. Ham suggests a makeover of cirriculum and teachers as a starting point. Cirriculum needs to be more apologetic, focusing on specific answers to specific questions and issues common in our culture. Teachers need a new passion and sense of awe in representing God before students.
Mr. Ham's solutions to revitalize a christian education (CE) program that appears to have an 80% failure rate are not new and the problems he is trying to solve are not new. What is new is the accelerating rate of failure and the statistical research to prove it. How long will our churches continue to pursue what is failing, and failing quickly? We need to seek a biblical answer rather than one steeped in man's wisdom. The church's response in times of decline has often been pragmatism, that is, to become more relevant, creative, entertaining, and stimulating in the eyes of man, which has meant a step back from God.
In his final chapter, "Welcome to the Revolution", Mr. Ham suggests that to change the trend we need reform in four areas- parents, christian educators(defined as Sunday school and elementary Christian school teachers), youth pastors, and pastors. Mr. Ham starts with parents and says this, "If our survey should teach you anything, it's that you can no longer depend on the Sunday school and youth ministries in your church to educate your kids in the things of God. In all honesty, this was never their responsibility in the first place. This is your job; this is your responsibility; you need to step up to the plate and take charge." To each of the other three groups targeted for reform, Mr. Ham offers soul searching action points, and yet these challenges are not new, but rather, are good reminders. A refreshing challenge to youth pastors was to "equip the parents"; and don't just say that but actually make it a priority.
One is left, again, with a certain disconnection between church and reality. Statistics shout that Sunday school isn't working and yet man says "let's be positive, it just needs reform". Mr. Ham tells parents they cannot depend upon and look to the church to teach their kids the things of God but his solution amounts to updating the potency of the drugs that parents are so addicted to (ie Sunday school, youth groups, children's church, VBS, etc) for teaching their children about God. If we continue 'as is' we indeed become irrelevant and even hypocritical because we know it isn't working but continue to go through the motions because we honor the traditions of men more than the word of God. Jesus Christ, the head of the church, is bringing about encouraging change.
