This article first appeared in Evangelicals Now here
Why are Sydney Anglicans in decline?
Sydney Anglicans are often (rightly) held up as a bright light in an otherwise darkening denominational structure. But is the light beginning to dim?
In a revealing, insightful and helpful report to the Sydney Anglican Synod, the facts on church size were revealed and analysed. The report is worth reading in detail, but in summary it shows that over the decade 2013–2023 the number attending Sydney Anglican churches declined by 7% (or 14% if you measure it by the size of the growing population). In 2013 adult attendance was 47,801. By 2023 this had declined to 44,592. Meanwhile the population of Sydney continues to grow – from 4.76 million people in 2013 to 5.26 million in 2023. It is expected to grow by another million by 2041.
The report noted a decline in areas where the church used to be strong, and small growth particularly in Western Sydney where the population expansion is largely taking place. One of the key issues identified is the big problem of reaching new people. Newcomers are now only 5.4% of the attendance.
Another intriguing aspect is that there are fewer large churches, and the large churches declined faster than the smaller and medium size ones. Large means over 400, medium 200– 399, and small 40–199. There were 107 ‘house’ (i.e. less than 40), 213 small, 50 medium and 21 large. Meanwhile Hinduism and Islam are both growing – largely due to immigration.
The report makes a number of recommendations, one of which is to focus on evangelism rather than transfer growth. The perception is that churches that are growing are largely doing so because of transfer growth, either to relocation or because of church swapping.
Another issue is with leadership. The senior ministers ‘are no longer expected to just be preachers, but team leaders, vision casters, managers, event coordinators, fundraisers, change agents, and evangelists, serving in a context where one’s customers are also shareholders. This related to social changes such as two income families, dropping volunteerism, a shift from ‘corner store mentality’ to ‘full-service department store’ expectations, increasing compliance burdens, long-term assistants and team ministry, along with increasing congregational expectations.’
The report does not go into great details about societal changes or whether there are deeper internal causes – such as a change to a more managerial/programmatic style, a decline in prayer or theological and ecclesiological issues. Whatever the reason, Christians throughout the world should pray for Sydney Anglicans. A strong Sydney Anglican church is good not only for the worldwide Anglican communion but for all of us who care about the Lord’s cause in today’s world.
David Robertson, is the minster of Scots Kirk Presbyterian Church, Newcastle NSW and blogs at http://www.theweeflea.com
Reflections on Sydney Anglicanism – An Interview with the Australian Church Record
What is driving the notion of senior ministers ‘are no longer expected to just be preachers,…?
Senior Ministers were never just preachers! They were certainly always team leaders … one of the roles that you list.
Is it the case that there are senior ministers who enter their roles expecting only to preach? Is the problem of congregation decline simply one of Rectors needing to grow a spine?
I don’t think they were ever expected to be ‘just preachers’. After all they have to be pastors and leaders as well. The other roles are the roles listed, not by me, but by the report which I was quoting. The question is what priority leaders place on preaching….
Anglican decline in English speaking zones is an interesting topic! Divisions exist on BCP liturgical shaped services vs. more pentecostal or Presbyterian flavour worship. Within the traditional liturgy, the length and complexity of rites (plus variations) can be wearying. Morning Prayer was once the staple, and not everyone was attracted to weekly or monthly communion rites. The former often have the Apostle’s Creed, whereas the latter have the Nicene Creed typically. Weekly communion may have merits, but prolonged rites with the full Nicene Creed is not everyone’s taste. Is the Apostle’s Creed fundamentally more intelligible? The BCP can become a sort of ‘sub-ordinate standard’ and that adds unwelcome disputes or complexities at times. The school assembly type service in a large building used to draw lots of people. But is the modern version of that frequently slanted towards mums and children? I think a good number of men (especially retired or older) may favour a weekly prayer fellowship circle, a weekly dinner meet up, weekly bible study and attendance at a midweek communion service.
Sydney Anglican visitors to the UK used to talk about signing for 10% of the population as Evangelical Christian. This looks a long way short. Do we know the numbers for other networks/ Denoms. Do we know where those not with CofE are going? Other faiths, nones or other churches?
I do wonder about the model that Sydney Anglicans run with: multiple paid clergy doing everything, and yet not overly taxed individually with tasks. The corollary of this is the financial pressure on congregations just to support all these largely single purpose ministers.
The other problem with Anglicanism is the polity, with the chief minister a mini-Pope, not helped by the annual election for church wardens and vestry members. Presbyterianism is a superior polity with better Biblical credentials. I know, as a Presbyterian the past 40 plus years, and prior to that, I was a Sydney Anglican to age 33, during which time, at various times and places, I had been a warden (one year), member of vestry several times in several different Parishes, one three-year term as a member of Synod and a Parish nominator.
Notwithstanding the above, I have deep appreciation for Sydney Diocese for various reasons, not least being drawn to faith in our Lord Jesus in one of their church schools at age 15.