Secularism has been rated the top roadblock stopping Sydney churches from seeing 10 per cent of their population in Bible-believing fellowships.
This month, Southern Cross will reveal the findings of its survey of Sydney's top Mission strategists which includes their tips for bypassing the five worst roadblocks.
The top three roadblocks are all closely linked to living in a fast-paced, materialistic society.
"Many Christians find it hard to resist the things our secular community is consumed with; every moment of every day is filled with hedonism," says rector of Naremburn/Cammeray, Rick Smith, who has been asked to lead the Diocese's working group on New Evangelistic Entities.
Zac Veron, rector of St George North, one of the nation's fastest growing Anglican parishes, adds that as Australians have become wealthier they have also become busier.
This not only drives the much discussed increase in "work/life pressure' but has led to a decline in community life, with less people willing to join church activities and less community spaces available to run them.
"On the ground it just means that ministry is hard work," says Dr Rod Irvine from Figtree Anglican Church.
"Somebody said that doing ministry in Australia was like plowing cement."
The way people now treat Sundays, agreed a number of those ministers interviewed by SC, is a further example of this trend.
"Our attitude to Sunday is a good case in point," says Dr Irvine.
"It often just becomes another leisure day and going to church is just a competitor with other leisure activities."
Phillip Jensen, the Dean of Sydney, says the new era requires a mindset shift.
“Congregations should no longer focus on church-based activities but instead be thinking how to take their mission out to the thousands of people who live in their entire parish,” Dean Jensen says.
Photo: Andrew Jacob
