AUSTRALIA'S CHANGING - Spiritual Climate - McCrindle (PDF)

AUSTRALIA’S CHANGING Spiritual Climate  Australia’s Changing Spiritual Climate 02 Australia’s spiritual climate report is produced by: McCrindle Research Pty Ltd Suite 105, 29 Solent Circuit Norwest NSW 2153 AUSTRALIA mccrindle.com.au [email protected] +61 2 8824 3422 Authors: Mark McCrindle, Sophie Renton Data visualisation and design: Hendrik Zuidersma-Ros, Ben Duffin Cover photo credit: Hendrik Zuidersma-Ros (Berowra Vally National Park) Title: Australia’ spiritual climate: Church, state and the Australian community Publisher: McCrindle Research - mccrindle.com.au Publication date: October 2021 URL: mccrindle.com.au ISBN: 978-0-6489132-3-8 © McCrindle Research Pty Ltd 2021 This report is copyright. Fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review is permitted under the Copyright Act. In addition, the Publisher grants permission to use images and content from this report for commercial and non-commercial purposes provided proper attribution is given such as ‘Australia’s spiritual climate By Mark McCrindle & Sophie Renton’, is used by permission, McCrindle Research.  CONTENTS Introduction 04 Australia’s renewed spiritual search 06 The shift from materialism to meaning 10 Opportunities for community in the digital age 14 Church and state 18 Responding in these challenging times 24 Let’s discover the future together 25 Demographic summary 26 Research methodology 27 Australia’s Changing Spiritual Climate 03  Mark McCrindle Founder and Principal McCrindle Robert Lowry, 1868 INTRODUCTION We live in an era of entertainment saturation and screen ubiquity where any reflecting or wondering is easily interrupted. The busyness of our lives, distractions of our times and influencers in the media and social media alike, seem to overwhelm any yearnings of the soul. It is easy to point to declining adherence to Christianity and the rise of secularism as evidence of the result. Yet there is more to the story. Amidst any trend, look for the counter trend. As this research shows, below the headline figure of Christianity edging towards minority status, is a rise in the pursuit of spiritual meaning, a renewed priority on community and a desire to contribute to others. The openness of Australians to attend a church service if invited, and the strong support for protections of religious freedom and expression highlight the positive sentiment towards Christianity and a recognition of the role of faith in the future of our community. Despite the accelerating changes, technologically and socially, or maybe because of them, most Australians are still seeking spiritual meaning and wellbeing. As prior periods of great ructions have shown, and perhaps it is something of the human condition, when stability wanes and uncertainty rises, attention is given not only to the temporal, but also the transcendent. MY LIFE FLOWS ON IN ENDLESS SONG; ABOVE EARTH’S LAMENTATION, I HEAR THE SWEET, THOUGH FAR-OFF HYMN THAT HAILS A NEW CREATION; THROUGH ALL THE TUMULT AND THE STRIFE, I HEAR THE MUSIC RINGING; IT FINDS AN ECHO IN MY SOUL—HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING? Australia’s Changing Spiritual Climate 04  Australia’s Changing Spiritual Climate 05  AUSTRALIA’S RENEWED Spiritual Search Australia’s Changing Spiritual Climate 06  In recent years the spiritual climate of Australia has been one of growing secularism. This is seen in the rising proportion of Australians identifying with no-religion, growing from 19% in 2006 to 30% in 20161. While Christianity is still the most common religion in Australia, the proportion identifying with Christianity has been declining in recent years (64% 2006 cf. 52% 2016)1. Amidst these changes, however, faith and spirituality continue to be a key element of an Australian’s identity (69% strongly or somewhat agree)2. Faith during a pandemic The experience of COVID-19 is creating a new context, where many Australians are experiencing a renewed spiritual search. During the pandemic almost half of Australians have thought more about the meaning of life (47%) or their own mortality (47%). A third of Australians have thought more about God (33%), while three in ten (28%) have prayed more.3 47% 47% 33% 28% Thinking about the meaning of life Thinking about their own mortality Thinking about God Praying DURING COVID-19 AUSTRALIANS ARE SPENDING MORE TIME % much/somewhat/slightly more Australia’s Changing Spiritual Climate 07  Younger Australians are leading the way in the renewed spiritual search, being more likely to have had spiritual conversations, thought about the meaning of life, thought about God, prayed, and read the bible more. Regular churchgoers have become active in their faith The pandemic has also seen regular churchgoers take greater ownership of their faith and spirituality. More than half of regular churchgoers (57%) strongly/somewhat agree they have taken on greater responsibility for their own spiritual growth. Almost two in five (38%) believe the pandemic has made them more active in their ministry as they can’t just leave it to the paid church staff.4 Regular churchgoers are also reading their Bibles more (45%) and praying more (63%)3. Once again younger Australians are driving the spiritual search with Gen Y churchgoers (53%) twice as likely as Baby Boomers (23%) to strongly/somewhat agree the experience of COVID-19 has made them more active in ministry as they can’t just leave it to paid church staff (44% Gen Z, 32% Gen X, 19% Builders). Gen Z Gen Y Gen X Baby Boomers Builders Had spiritual conversations 41% 35% 23% 13% 16% Thought about the meaning of life 61% 58% 45% 34% 34% Thought about God 44% 40% 33% 24% 23% Prayer 39% 35% 26% 20% 20% Read the Bible 32% 26% 15% 9% 9% % MUCH/SOMEWHAT/ SLIGHTLY MORE 57 % of regular churchgoers strongly/ somewhat agree they have taken on greater responsibility for their own spiritual growth during COVID-19 Australia’s Changing Spiritual Climate 08  Church attendance in a pandemic Despite the pausing of public gatherings and physical church doors being closed in states battling COVID-19 outbreaks, church attendance has largely remained steady. Two in five Australians identifying with Christianity are attending church at least monthly now (39%) and during 2020 (40%). This is only a small decrease of six percentage points from monthly church attendance prior to 2020 (46%). Younger Australians that identify with Christianity have been more likely than their older counterparts to attend church at least monthly prior to 2020, during 2020 and today. AUSTRALIANS IDENTIFYING WITH CHRISTIANITY ATTENDING CHURCH AT LEAST MONTHLY How frequently do you attend church (whether in person or online)? AUSTRALIANS IDENTIFYING WITH CHRISTIANITY CHURCH ATTENDANCE Please select the response that most applies to you. * Gen Z and Builders have not been included in this analysis due to their sample size Gen Y Gen X Baby Boomers Currently 62% 28% 25% During 2020 63% 26% 26% Prior to 2020 67% 33% 33% Currently During 2020 Prior to 2020 Weekly Fortnightly Monthly Quaterly Annualy Less than annualy I do not attend church 26% 25% 6% 7% 6% 8% 8% 7% 10% 9% 15% 15% 29% 29% 29% 10% 7% 8% 11% 13% 22% Australia’s Changing Spiritual Climate 09  THE SHIFT FROM MATERIALISM to meaning Australia’s Changing Spiritual Climate 10  A silver lining of COVID-19 has been the reprioritisation within many Australians’ lives. The focus has shifted from materialism, and the accumulation of more, to people and community. Four in five Australians agree COVID-19 has clarified the relationships in which they want to invest their time (79%) and, positively, has strengthened their family/ household relationships (79%)3. The experience has also ushered in a return to local and a focus on community, with half of Australians (53%) valuing a strong local community more than they did three years ago5. Churches are making a positive difference to the community Throughout the pandemic Australians have seen the positive impact of the church. Half of Australians (49%) have seen local churches be more active in their communities during lockdown and COVID-19. It is not just during lockdown, however, that Australians are seeing the positive impact of the church. Three in four Australians (76%) agree the churches in their local area are making a positive difference to their community. 53 % of Australians value a strong local community more than they did three years ago 79 % Clarified the relationships in which they want to spend their time 79 % Positively strengthened their family/household relationships 76 % of Australians agree the churches in their local area are making a positive difference to their community SILVER LININGS OF COVID-19 Australia’s Changing Spiritual Climate 11  Local businesses and schools seen as instrumental to rebuilding community Australians not only have a positive perception of the local church, just over half (54% see local churches and faith-based groups as extremely/very important to rebuilding local communities and connection in a post COVID-19 world. The importance of church, however, in community building is rated well below that of local businesses (84%), local schools (81%) and cafes, shopping centres and dining precincts (79%). Those who identify with Christianity (69%) are more than twice as likely than those who do not identify with any religion or spiritual belief (33%) to believe the local church is important for rebuilding local community. Australia’s Changing Spiritual Climate 12  HOW IMPORTANT ARE EACH OF THE FOLLOWING TO REBUILDING LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND CONNECTION IN A POST-COVID-19 WORLD? Extremely/very important Local businesses Local schools Local cafes, shopping centres and dining precincts Local community groups/volunteer organisations Local and State Government and government organisations Local sporting organisations Local arts, theatre and cultural organisations Local pubs, clubs and night spots Local cinema and entertainment precincts Local churches and faith-based groups 84% 81% 79% 72% 71% 64% 58% 57% 56% 54% Australia’s Changing Spiritual Climate 13  OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY in the digital age Australia’s Changing Spiritual Climate 14  Most would be likely to attend a church service if invited Two thirds of Australians are likely to attend a church service either online (64%) or in-person (67%) if personally invited by a friend or family member. Three in ten Australians are extremely or very likely to attend a church service online (31%) or in-person (33%) if they were invited by a friend or family member. Far from religion and spirituality being only for older Australians, younger Australians are twice as likely to be extremely or very likely to attend a church service if personally invited by a friend or family member. Despite a renewed focus on community and a reprioritisation of relationships, many Australians are feeling lonely and disconnected. Australians are most likely to say the biggest negative impact of COVID-19 has been on their social health (42%) rather than on their financial (28%), mental (17%) or physical health (13%).6 Almost three in five Australians (58%) have experienced increased feelings of loneliness.3 While the shift to digital platforms for churches may have seemed like a disruption, it has created a new way for people to access the gospel and has provided a continuity of connection. Two in five Australians (40%) have accessed a Christian church service in a way they wouldn’t normally during lockdown and COVID-19. Three in ten Australians are extremely or very likely to attend a church service if they are personally invited by a friend or family member 21% Gen Z (45%) are twice as likely as Baby Boomers (21%) to be extremely/very likely to attend an online church service if personally invited by a friend or family member 45% GEN Z BABY BOOMERS Australia’s Changing Spiritual Climate 15