The reality in 2010 is that more believers don’t go to church regularly than those who do. Why have people left? Reasons vary according to the individual, but research and anecdotes reveal these reasons: child abuse by church people; fussy liturgy; no respect for women; church is non-participative;
So for many, the nexus between believing and belonging has broken. Tom Frame in his recent book argues that believing, which most Australians do, does not necessarily lead to belonging.
People have so many choices, and they have mobility to pursue their individual choices. This can be hedonism, endless entertainment, or it can be service in the community. Frame says: “There is a moral sense within, even if Australians are indifferent to organized religion.”
David Tacey supports this view: “People are rediscovering the sacred.”
If many Australians are believers, but non-churchgoers, how do they maintain a spiritual life?
We probably all know Christians who find their nurture and fellowship in small groups, meditation groups, with private spiritual directors or mentors, or in discussion groups of likeminded people. I personally now have about as many friends who used to go as those who still go to church every Sunday.
Does the decline in regular church attendance mean the collapse of morals and virtue, and the end of altruism in our society?
No, volunteerism in Australia is still strong, at both adult and youth level5. One reason governments will never close down the tax-free and rate-free status of churches is that, if they did, most community services across Australia would cease.
It would be very expensive, for example, for local councils to pay for the Meals on Wheels Service to shut-ins in their local community.
But as well as volunteerism, Australians with religious faith, whether they are regular church attenders or not, tend to choose careers which are people-oriented.
Philip Hughes of the Christian Research Association says: “Religious organisations have been highly involved in running welfare programs, as well as hospitals, aged care homes and schools. Consequently those with religious faith are more highly involved in these people-oriented sectors.” CRA’s research shows that people who grew up attending church who went into technical or skilled trades professions were more likely to drop out of church life. Church has become irrelevant.
In terms of mission strategy for Churches, Tom Frame argues8 that we can no longer rely on the connections between believing, belonging and behaving.
Each might be an entry point for people to a new church experience. Each needs a separate strategy, especially for the new generation of youth whom McCrindle calls “Generations Y and Z”.
Frame says: “The struggle for souls will be house by house.”
His predictions on the future of churches is quite gloomy: Pentecostals will become city-based sects; Left-leaning Liberals in the main churches will disappear; Roman Catholics and Orthodox will maintain themselves. The rest? It all depends on movements like Fresh Expressions, and on local churches being more flexible in their strategies.
Reference sources listed at http://eternity.biz/
