Now, where and how for Sydney Anglicans – with Raj Gupta and Zac Veron
Posted on September 26, 2023
Filed under Sydney Diocese
From the Pastor’s Heart, an important episode on the future of the Anglican Church in Sydney –
“We engage in a ‘Stockdale Paradox’ discussion, confronting the brutal facts about attendance, finances and National Church Life Survey data about mission, newcomers and maturity.
Plus we review the recent Sydney Anglican Synod debate where leader after leader poured out their heart.
The gap is widening between the diocese’s declining attendance and Sydney’s growing population.
- While there are COVID factors, the National Church Life Survey trends are clearly observable and are worrying.
- There’s a difference between having a heart for evangelism and knowing how to engage effectively.
- While gross giving has increased, real giving (adjusted for inflation) seems to be down.
- There’s a clear difficulty with strategic planning and implementation.
- What to do about the accelerating trend of people moving to larger churches.
We look at the hard facts and attempt to chart a way forward.
Zac Veron is the senior minister of Bayside Anglican Church, Sydney.
Raj Gupta is the senior minister of Carlingford Anglican Church, Sydney.”
– Watch or listen here (though it’s recommended you watch so you can see the charts).
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