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Spiritual Hunger on the Rise in Australia: Research

by | Thu, Nov 5 2020

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New research has found Australian churches are seeing an increasing spiritual hunger in their communities, alongside deep cynicism about the church and the relevance it has for their lives.

McCrindle Research has released a report titled “The Future of the Church in Australia”.

It attributes the impact of COVID-19 as well as pre-pandemic trends such as family breakdown, declining mental health, and increasing loneliness as being key factors in the openness to spirituality among Australians.

The study was based on interviews with more than 30 church and charity leaders, and reveals that churches have a long way to go to rebuild trust with their communities after high-profile cases of leaders abusing their power.

McCrindle Research founder Mark McCrindle says “It feels like we are at a defining for the church in Australia” and that “there is a deep longing for something more than post modernist individualism”.

The report found that the transition of church activities to an online platform amid the pandemic, could be important in reaching people more effectively.

Mr McCrindle says during the pandemic, church has largely taken place through friendships, homes, and the laity.

Phil Pringle from C3 Church Global says online church is “possibly the greatest tool to the church, for us to reach others in an unprecedented way”.

Alpha founder and London vicar Nicky Gumbel says “this is the greatest evangelistic opportunity of our lifetime”.