AUSTRALIANS AND CHURCH Dr Ruth Powell NCLS Research
NCLS Research Resources for churches to nurture life and health 2
“ For God so loved the world… . Love God. Love your neighbour as you love yourself. 3
1. IT’S COMPLICATED The relationship between church and community
IS RELIGION ‘GOOD FOR SOCIETY’? (Nov 2019) Strongly agree/agree religion is good Four in 10 (41%) agree for society: 2016, 2018 and 2019 41 religion is good for society 45 39 40 33 35 30 Percentage 25 20 36% are neutral or unsure. 15 23% disagree 10 5 0 2016 2018 2019 5 Source: 2016, 2018 and 2019 ACS run by NCLS Research (n~1,200)
VIEWS OF RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS & PEOPLE “Religious leaders should not try to influence Confidence in institutions how people vote in elections” Some/a great deal/ complete Strongly agree 64% Schools & education 80% “I have my own way of connecting with God without churches or religious services” Business & industry 72% Agree/strongly agree 40% Courts & legal system 61% “What is your personal attitude Federal Parliament 42% towards members of the following religious Churches 37% groups? – Christians” “Do you think that churches and religious Positive or neutral 88% organisations in this country have too [Very positive 27%, Somewhat positive 30%, much power or too little power?” Neither positive nor negative 31%] 6 Too much/far too much power 51% Source: 2018 AUSSA (n=1,260)
ROLE FOR CHURCHES IN SOCIETY (Nov 2019) Support the poor 59% Encourage good morals 57% Conduct weddings, funerals, baptisms etc 56% Provide opportunities for worship 47% Give meaning and direction to life 41% Provide chaplains for hospitals and other institutions 38% Provide social services (e.g. aged care) 38% Allow community groups to use church buildings 37% Challenge injustice in society 34% Run social activities 30% Provide schools 25% Give leadership at public events such as Anzac Day 14% Convert people to the faith 12% Give public comment on political issues 11% Other role 4% No role 15% 7 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Source: 2019 ACS run by NCLS Research (n=1,272)
2. STAND IN THEIR SHOES Where you stand determines what you see
Australians are moderately religious or spiritual 11
RELIGIOUSNESS INDICATORS (Nov 2019) 22% attend services frequently 32% pray or meditate 28% had mystical experiences 61% belief in God/higher power 45% say faith or spirituality is important in life decisions 12 Source: 2019 ACS run by NCLS Research (n=1,272)
WHAT ABOUT JESUS? (Nov 2019) Which of the following Which, if any, of the following statements best reflects your statements reflect your beliefs about understanding of Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ? 20 A normal human being He was a real person who 57 actually lived God in human form who 26 lived among people in the 1st Century He is a mythical or 22 A prophet or spiritual leader, 29 fictional character not God 4 Other Don't know 21 21 Don't know 13 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Source: 2019 ACS run by NCLS Research (n=1,272)
RELIGIOUS? SPIRITUAL? BOTH? NEITHER? Religious? Spiritual? 14 Source: 2018 ACS run by NCLS Research (n=1,200)
Four approaches Neither ‘SBNR’ Practising Non-practising 15 Source: 2018 ACS run by NCLS Research (n=1,200)
CLUES FROM AUSTRALIANS TO HELP CHURCHES CONNECT
CLUE 1: MAKE AND KEEP FRIENDS
RELATIONSHIPS MATTER The research shows positive links between having at least one close contact and: • Being attracted , rather than repelled by actions by Christians • Being open to an invitation to attend a Christian event • Attending church services and other events 18 Source: 2018 ACS run by NCLS Research (n=1,200)
CLUE 2: TRY INVITING THEM
INVITING IS KEY FOR NEWCOMERS Wider sociological Australian newcomers confirm it research confirms it For newcomers to Australian Inviting outsiders to churches, influential factors in their activities by friends decision to start attending a new and relatives is the church were knowing people who most common way in already attended there or being which people join invited by someone. religious groups. . 21
Would Australians go to church if invited by close friends and family? (Nov 2019) Yes, I am fairly certain I 21 would 40% say I would probably say yes to ‘yes’ 19 this I am unsure if I would say yes 16 or no 16% are not I would probably say no to 9 this sure No, I am fairly certain I would 17 not 26% say I do not have any close 18 friends or family who attend… ‘no’ 22 0 5 10 15 20 25 Source: 2019 ACS run by NCLS Research (n=1,272
MOST COMMON REASONS FOR A ‘YES’ Relationships Connection Curiosity To support or affirm Appreciated the idea Curious about their friend or family of connecting with attending, or open member. other people at to trying something church new or different. “I would attend because it is “It’s a nice social “I would accept as I important to the experience if you go like to be open person who invited to church and mingle minded.” you, otherwise they with and get to know wouldn’t have invited other people.” you.” 23 Source: 2018 ACS run by NCLS Research (n=1,200) .
SOME HAVE TRIED AND DECIDED AGAINST IT Within the last five years, have you ever gone to a Christian church and been open to getting involved, but decided not to get involved? 11 13 76 24 No Yes Unsure Source: 2019 ACS run by NCLS Research (n=1,272
CLUE 3: INVITE PEOPLE WHO USED TO ATTEND
Figure: Would accept an invitation to church Used to attend People who used to attend (41%) Yes, 10 are more likely be open to an Unsure, invitation (10%). 13 No, 18 26 Source: 2018 ACS run by NCLS Research (n=1,200)
CLUE 4: HAVE FUN WITH FRIENDS, FOOD AND MUSIC
ATTENDANCE IS LINKED WITH CLOSE CONTACT In the previous 12 months… 33% of Australians went to a church event 73% of Australians with at least one close contact went to a church event 28 Source: 2018 ACS run by NCLS Research (n=1,200)
Figure: Attendance at events in preceding 12 months Regular church services, Christmas, and Easter were most common 29 Source: 2018 ACS run by NCLS Research (n=1,200)
Figure: Attendance at events in preceding 12 months A close contact more than doubles the likelihood of attending a church event 30 Source: 2018 ACS run by NCLS Research (n=1,200)
WHAT TYPES OF CHURCH EVENT WOULD AUSTRALIANS ATTEND? 1 Apart from such special occasions as weddings, funerals, etc., would you go to a regular Christian church service if invited by close friends or family? 2 Would you go to a musical event hosted by a local church , if invited by close friends or family? 3 And would you go to a meal hosted by a local church , if invited by close friends or family? 31 Source: 2019 AUSSA
54% WOULD GO TO A MEAL IF INVITED 100% 90% 29 80% No 70% 17 60% Unsure 50% 40% 30% 54 Yes 20% 10% 32 0% Source: 2019 AUSSA (n = 532, missing = 286)
51% WOULD GO TO A MUSICAL EVENT IF INVITED 100% 90% 36 80% No 70% 13 60% Unsure 50% 40% Yes 30% 51 20% 10% 33 0% Source: 2019 AUSSA (n = 532, missing = 286)
Figure: Openness to attending events if invited Yes Unsure No 60 54 51 51 50 38 36 40 29 30 17 20 13 11 10 Meal Musical event Regular Christian service 34 Source: 2019 AUSSA (n = 532, missing = 286)
CLUE 5: BUILD CONFIDENCE
LOCAL CHURCH LEADERS POSTIVE Local church leaders rate their effectiveness highly 36
CHURCH ATTENDERS OPEN TO INNOVATION 22% 2016 17% 17% 2011 Percent of attenders 2006 who agree church is ready for something 13% 2001 new has increased 37
NEWCOMERS TO CHURCH ARE POSITIVE ▪ Newcomers do not go ‘church shopping’ ▪ Come because ‘something missing’ ▪ Stay because they find community ▪ Belong and behave before belief: Open to learning and growing in faith. ▪ Positive and confident about future 38 Source: 2016 NCLS
Clues from Australians to help churches connect Clue 1 Clue 2 Clue 3 Make and keep Try inviting people Invite people who friends to special events used to attend . Clue 4 Clue 5 Love God. Have fun with Build confidence Love your neighbour friends, food and among church as you love yourself music. attenders 39
THANK YOU Our mission: to use credible research to identify signs of hope, to nurture life in both leadership and churches as well as to encourage the wider community to reflect on its spiritual journey and the churches place within it. 244 Young St, Waterloo NSW 2017 E. info@ncls.org.au Ph: 61-2-9139 2525 To cite material in this document: PO BOX 827, Strawberry Hills Powell, R. (2019). Community and NSW 2012, AUSTRALIA. www.ncls.org.au Church Summit Presentation. ABN: 23 256 203 959 Sydney: NCLS Research. 40
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