The document discusses trends in evangelization within the Australian church context, highlighting a decline in religiosity and an increase in the readiness to share faith among congregation members. It reveals that effective churches are focusing more on newcomers and community service, but face challenges in inviting others to church. Key insights suggest that integrating outreach efforts and nurturing faith-sharing can enhance parish vitality.

1. Trends in Evangelisation
Finding a Way Forward
© 2012 NCLS Research
Dr Ruth Powell
Director, NCLS Research
Associate Professor, ACU
www.ncls.org.au
Proclaim Conference
22nd August 2014
Powell, R. (2014). Trends in Evangelisation: Finding a Way Forward.
NCLS Research Report. NCLS Research. Sydney.

3. National Church Life Surveys – www.ncls.org.au
Surveys of church attenders & leaders.
Five waves: 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006
and 2011.
E.g. Participants in the 2011 NCLS
• 3000+ local churches
• 260 000+ individuals
• 23 denominations
• 8 languages
Primary Sponsors
23+ Participating
Churches
Anglican
Apostolic
Australian Christian Churches
Baptist
Brethren
Catholic
Christian Missionary Alliance
C3 Churches
COC Australia
Congregational
CRC Churches International
Church of the Nazarene
Churches of Christ
Four Square Gospel
Lutheran
IPMF
Presbyterian
Christian Reformed Churches
Salvation Army
Seventh-day Adventist
Uniting Church
Vineyard Fellowship
Worldwide Church of God
and Independent
congregations,
House churches
and other Christian
communities
National Church Life Surveys (NCLS)
Largest database on church life in the world
2011 NCLS - Protestant: 2062 churches, Catholic: 254 parishes.

5. Figure: The religiosity of Australians: belonging, beliefs and behaviour
There have been major changes in the broader context that impact on
all churches. There has been a decline in the religiosity of Australians.
Trend 1: Major changes in the broader context

7. Q. Which of the following best
describes your readiness to talk to
others about your faith?
a. I do not have faith, so the
question is not applicable
b I do not like to talk about my faith;
my life and actions are sufficient
c I find it hard to talk about my faith
in ordinary language
d I mostly feel at ease talking about
my faith and do so if it comes up
e I feel at ease talking about my faith
and look for opportunities to do so
Readiness to share faith

8. Lack faith/NA,
1
Life and actions
sufficient, 17
Hard to express
in ordinary
language, 15
At ease if
occasion arises,
52
Look for
opportunities,
15
Trend 2: An increase in readiness to share faith
Most are at ease: One in seven (15%) of Catholic Mass attenders feel at
ease talking about their faith and look for opportunities to do so.
Source: 2011 NCLS Attender Survey - Catholic
Attenders who are at ease and look for
opportunities to share faith are:
• highly involved in church life
• experiencing personal growth in faith
• helping people in practical ways

9. 1
17
15
52
15
1
8
21
52
18
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Lack faith/NA
Life and actions sufficient
Hard to express in ordinary language
At ease if occasion arises
Look for opportunities
%
Protestant 2011
Catholic 2011
Catholic 2006
Catholic 2001
Which of the
following best
describes your
readiness to
talk to others
about your
faith?
Readiness to share faith: comparisons
Source: 2001, 2006, 2011 NCLS - Catholic Church and 2011 NCLS - Protestant
Similar to Protestants: Similar proportions of Catholic (15%) &
Protestant (18%) attenders look for opportunities.
Changes in the past decade: There has been an increase in the
proportion who look for opportunities and a decline in those who think
that life and actions are sufficient.

10. Source: 2006 NCLS Operations Survey – 188 responses from Catholic sample parishes
%
Catholic 11
Anglican 13
Baptist 24
Churches of Christ 21
Lutheran 12
Pentecostal 28
Presbyterian 25
Salvation Army 15
Uniting 5
All Churches 17
Has this parish
offered significant
training for lay
people in the
following leadership
or ministry roles in
the past 2 years?
(Mark ALL that
apply)
Outreach/
evangelisation role
Some Protestant churches offer training.
Readiness to share faith: provision of training

11. From an individual focus to a community focus
“The parish is where the Church lives.
Parishes are communities of faith, of
action and of hope. They are where
the gospel is proclaimed and
celebrated, where believers are
formed and sent to renew the earth.
Parishes are the home of the Christian
community; they are the heart of our
Church.”
- US National Conference of Catholic
Bishops
(Source: Rebuilt, preface)
Evangelisation requires the involvement of the whole faith
community.
Christians understand themselves to be called
into a relationship with God, with others in the
church and with the wider community.

12. Nine Core Qualities of Church Life
Internal Core
Qualities
The inner life of the
community of faith
Inspirational Core
Qualities
Relate to leadership
and direction
Outward Core
Qualities
How churches focus
beyond themselves
Churches that are effective in evangelisation have built up a
range of Core Qualities that contribute to overall vitality.

13. Trend 3. Effective churches are reorienting
themselves to ‘newcomers’

14. Newcomers: Attenders who were not attending any church five
years ago. Includes first-timers and returnees.
Defining the ‘newcomer’

15. Nerida is 46 years old, married, employed and
has a university degree.
Her mother was a significant influence on her
faith, but she hasn’t been attending church in
recent years.
Nerida has been feeling there was something
missing and also wanted her children to learn
about God. She didn’t shop around, but went
to her local parish, after a friend invited her.
She is not sure what she believes, but goes to
Mass to worship God, share in the Eucharist,
pray and reflect.
She has been growing in her faith this year and
puts this down to the life and witness of
everyone at her parish.
A profile of Nerida, the Catholic newcomer
What would your
parish look like if it was
focused on Nerida?
Each week Nerida’s chair came that little bit closer…

16. Newcomers and Denominational Differences
Source: 2011 National Church Life Survey
Newcomers are found in congregations of all sizes and across all
denominations.
11.0%
8.1%
7.6%
7.5%
5.9%
3.7%
3.4%
5.8%
0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% 12.0%
Pentecostal
Anglican
Other Protestant
Baptist/ Churches of Christ
Uniting
Lutheran
Catholic
TOTAL

17. Half of all Catholic newcomers are in their 30s and 40s.
Average age
The average age of a
Catholic newcomer is
46 years old.
Comparisons:
Baptist - 40 years
Pentecostal – 35 years
Source: 2011 NCLS Attender Survey - Catholic newcomer
5
10
25 24
15
12
7
2
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+
Age of Catholic newcomers: 2011
Age group
Catholic newcomers: age profile

18. 39%
33%
30% 32% 34% 36% 38% 40%
Newcomer
Overall
Degree
Newcomers are most commonly…: The most common characteristics of
Catholic newcomers are that they are female (56%), married (68%), university
educated (36%) and Australian-born (68%).
Compared to all Mass attenders, newcomers are closer to the
‘average Australian’. They are more likely to be:
• male
• separated or divorced
• university educated
44%
39%
34% 36% 38% 40% 42% 44% 46%
Newcomer
Overall
Male
10%
6%
0% 5% 10% 15%
Newcomer
Overall
Separated/divorced
Catholic newcomers: demographic profile
Source: 2011 NCLS Attender Survey - Catholic newcomer

19. Education & friends
• Religious ed. teacher/chaplain (16%)
• School teacher (13%)
• Peers/friends (10%)
Church contacts
• Minister/priest of a local church (7%)
• Sunday school teachers (7%)
‘The most significant people to
show me what faith was about’:
Catholic newcomers: significant people for faith
The role of parents and
family is critical for all
2011 NCLS Catholic new arrivals = Newcomers not previously in a parish/
switchers from another denomination/visitors who do not attend elsewhere
Parents
• Mother (77%)
• Father (48%)
Other family
• Spouse (16%)
• Grandparents (16%)
• Other family (16%)

20. Catholic newcomers: Why you came to this church
In the 12 months before starting at their current parish,
34% didn’t visit or attend any other church and 34% visited
one other church.
Do Catholic newcomers shop around? Not really.
What triggers the first church attendance?
One in five say ‘Something missing’…
When you began
attending a local church
again, what situation or
event was most
important in your decision
to attend?:
Top 5 reasons for newcomers (out of ten options):
1. Thought something was missing in my life (19%)
2. Moved to a new area (17%)
3. Wanted my children to have a religious upbringing (14%)
4. Spouse invited me to attend/accompanied spouse (11%)
5. Felt guilty about not attending (8%).
2011 NCLS Catholic new arrivals = Newcomers not previously in a parish/
switchers from another denomination/visitors who do not attend elsewhere

21. Top 5 reasons that Catholic new arrivals give for attending:
1. To worship/experience God (58%),
2. To share in the Eucharist (35%)
3. I need a time of prayer or reflection (30%)
4. To make sure my children are exposed to the faith (15%).
5. To learn more about the faith (10%)
People could choose two options from a list of 12.
What are the main reasons you attend church services?
To experience God
Catholic newcomers are growing in faith mainly due
to church worship services
Newcomers were most likely to say the church was the source of
their growth in faith in the previous year (34% vs 19% overall).
Catholic newcomers: Views about worship services
2011 NCLS Catholic new arrivals = Newcomers not previously in a parish/
switchers from another denomination/visitors who do not attend elsewhere

29. Source: 2006 NCLS - Catholic Church
Parishes with plans to help integration
Once a person has joined your parish, are there any
planned procedures designed to ensure that he or she
becomes integrated into the life of the parish?
Catholic
2001
Catholic
2006
Catholic
2011
Protestant
2006
Follow-up visits by clergy or others from parish 46 39 34 70
Invitation to join a social, faith discussion or other
group 31 41 35 59
People extend hospitality and invite them for meals 14 11 16 55
Invitation to take up a task within the life and
ministry of the church 46 55 52 42
A group or course for new Christians / orientation
programs for new members 4 3 5 22
Other (please specify) 11 5 5 3
At least one of the above 72 75 74 88
Protestants use a range of ways to intentionally help
integration. Here are some ideas:
Source: 2001, 2006 & 2011 NCLS Operations Survey

30. Trend 4: There has been an increase in acts of
service

31. Trend 4: An increase in acts of service
Figure: Involved in church‐based
community service, justice or welfare activities
46
48
52
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
2001 2006 2011
%
Catholic attenders
Figure: Attenders who informally helped
others in three or more ways
In both Protestant and Catholic parishes more attenders are …
• serving others informally
• involved in local church-based activities related to community service,
justice of welfare.
Informal = lent money, cared for sick, helped in personal
crisis, visited person in hospital, gave away possessions,
donated money, contacted MP
24
20
25
29
31
13
15 15
18
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
1991 1996 2001 2006 2011
Church‐based - Protestant
Church‐based - Catholic
Source: 1991 NCLS, 1996 NCLS/CCLS, 2001 NCLS, 2006 NCLS and 2011 NCLS - Attender Survey

32. The way forward is the integration of both word and deed.

33. Trend 5: A decline in inviting people to church

34. Inviting others to church
Q. Would you be prepared to invite
to a church service here any of
your friends and relatives who do
not currently attend a church?
a. Yes, and I have done so in the
past 12 months
b. Yes, but I have not done so in
the past 12 months
d. No, probably not
e. No definitely not
c. Don’t know
Source: 2011 NCLS - Catholic Attender Survey

35. 20
2
18
34
27
11
1
7
40
41
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Don’t know
Definitely wouldn’t invite
Probably wouldn’t invite
Willing, but didn’t invite
Invited in last 12 months
Protestant 2011
Catholic 2011
Catholic 2006
Catholic 2001
Inviting others to church: comparisons
Inviting has declined: In the past decade there has been a decline in the
level of inviting and an increase in ‘don’t know’.
Levels have also declined for Protestants (43% in 2006 to 41% in 2011).
Source: 2001 NCLS, 2006 NCLS and 2011 NCLS - Attender Survey

36. Some clues from churches
1. Discover a sense of vision and direction
2. Promote a strong sense of belonging among
attenders
3. Focus on people beyond church life
4. Encourage attenders to invite others to church
5. Be an empowering leader
6. Nurture growth in faith and movement
towards commitment
7. Aim for joyful, inspiring services
8. Introduce contemporary worship
9. Encourage informal acts of helping
10. Look after the young
11. Be willing to try new things
The research finds no ‘magic bullet’
to attract newcomers.
What Attracts Newcomers?
Faith-sharing matters for overall
parish vitality. It is strongly
associated with other qualities.
Source: Powell et al, 2012, Enriching Church Life

37. Summary
Trend Implications
1. There have been major changes in
overall context that affect all churches
Everyone is learning what authentic and effective
evangelisation looks like in this time and in their
place. Churches need to reflect and experiment.
2. There has been an increase in
readiness to share faith
* Family members are significant for sharing faith:
how are you supporting and equipping them?
* There are evangelists in your parishes: Identify and
them, support them, celebrate with them, learn from
them.
3. Effective churches are reorienting
themselves to the newcomer
In many parishes this will be a major shift in culture
and will not happen quickly.
4. There has been an increase in acts
of service
Building bridges that are authentic points of
connection are important. However, we need to
guard against being busy servicing consumers.
5. There has been a decline in inviting
others to church
This is of concern.
What is currently stopping your people from inviting?
What needs to change?

39. Dr Ruth Powell
Director, NCLS Research
Australian Catholic University
rpowell@ncls.org.au
www.ncls.org.au
@NCLSResearch
NCLS Research
Powell, R. (2014). Trends in Evangelisation: Finding a Way Forward.
NCLS Research Report. NCLS Research: Sydney.

40. Rev Ed Vaughan: Edward Vaughan grew up in a Catholic home in Sydney. His faith
journey led him to the Anglican church, were he is now a minister. Ed is currently the
Senior Minister of St John's Anglican Church in Darlinghurst. Previously he worked as
the minister of a Church of Ireland (Anglican) church in Dublin for six years. He is
passionate, although somewhat troubled, by the issue of how church and society
relates in contemporary Australia.
Greta Wells: Greta EC Wells is an Associate Lecturer in Pastoral Studies at Alphacrucis
College, Sydney - it is here she teaches 'Communicating the Faith', a subject that aims
to reshape Pentecostal engagement with the evangelistic task. Her personal research
interests also include ministry within the postmodern context and Pentecostal
responses to mental illness. Greta is married to Mark and they attend a charismatic
Vineyard church.
Rev Pete Davies: Pete has been the Associate Director of Church Development for the
NSW & ACT Baptist movement since 2005. He has 15 years in pastoral experience
(Hornsby and Hawkesbury Valley) and was the church planter who commenced the
church at Hawkesbury Valley. Pete spent 3 years with Ambassadors for Christ before
coming into his current role.
Our Panel