The 2006 census reveals that people are increasingly reluctant to identify themselves with a church they don't go to. The Anglican figures in Sydney show a 8 per cent decline in the last five years and were especially severe in the among 25-35-year-olds. In many parts of South Sydney region, "no religion" has become the preferred self-identification. For example, in the Leichhardt area it is now a whopping 43%, with Catholic 26% and Anglican 15%.

Although this isn't so in every part the region, it is a sign of the coming collapse of "cultural Christianity'. It may even be in some way caused by the Mission in that when Anglicans are seen actually to stand for something, a number of people who are Anglican in name only would rather not be identified with us. All I know is that it shows something of the challenge before us.

A Sydney Anglican Creative Arts College?

Do we Sydney Anglicans need a creative arts college? This thought occurred to me after I visited a non-Anglican church on a wet long weekend recently. Sure there was much that I could criticise, but more importantly, there was much that I admired, especially the high quality of the music and the overall welcome and presentation.

I then did what a bishop always does when he visits other churches. I began to wonder about infrastructure and logistics. The team on duty were obviously not the very top and yet they were excellent. How did they get such good musicians, and such depth of talent? Where did all these people come from?

I then noticed that associated with this particular church was a creative arts college. They seriously invest in the arts in their Christian outreach and upbuilding.

I think they are really on to something. The arts in a broad sense (not just the high art of opera or fine music) are everywhere. Any minister will know one of the biggest tasks in what happens on Sunday is finding good quality, uplifting music. In fact, it could probably be argued that our society is more interested than ever in the arts in the broadest terms.

Shouldn't Sydney Anglicans be more explicitly creating and enhancing such things? There have been some valuable first steps like a weekend conference dedicated to contemporary church music (Twist). But it is an interesting weakness that we do not have any explicit institutional investment in the creative arts. As yet.

It may be more of a mission priority that it first looks.