Spirituality - Australian Style

"A shy hope in the heart" is the way Gary Bouma describes the Australian approach to religion and spirituality in his new book. Unlike Americans, Australians are reluctant to "trumpet encounters with the spiritual" he argues.

If spirituality is measured by participation in organised religion one might conclude that its withering on the vine. Much of the present vitality is dependent on those over aged 50 and many are still hoping the young folks will come back and keep things going. A recent study suggest that barely 20% of Gen Y (defined as those aged between 16 and 30) are involved with organised churches. This number shrinks dramatically if considered on a weekly basis.

But if one measures spirituality by interest or belief in God or even a presence or higher force then upwards of 80% of Australians come into view. Aussies are perhaps more engaged or spiritually wired than first thought.

If Gary's right, how do we talk to the vast number of Australians who see that there is more to life but who aren't buying what we're selling? Or should we actually start by listening to them? If so, what might we listen for?

The Aussie House

Culture means many things to different people. Most simply, its about how we live our lives. Everything from the homes we live in to the way we work and play is a matter of culture. Even the way we think about the world and even express our emotions are shaped by culture.

So when Aussie Christians seek to express the eternal word and truthfulness of Jesus in contemporary Australia should we work with these cultures or against them?

Let's consider the house. For the most part in anglo Aussie culture houses are like castles - well protected with entry by invitation only. People tend not to 'drop in' but will call beforehand. They're often set back from the road and behind a fence so you can't see if anyone's home. No one really feels comfortable visiting the house of someone they don't know. When we enter a house there are the rooms we sit in but also rooms we'd never think of visiting without an invitation. Houses are private space, often very private space.

So how does this affect mission? Well, although littering through the letter box is safe most Anglicans are allergic to door knocking, even when it is made easy (see Stuart's article). Having a home group can be tricky especially when houses are small and hospitality to large groups of strangers is an uncertain thing.

What kind of challenges does housing pose to mission in contemporary Australia and what means have you found to bridge the gap?

Cooperating in Mission

Working together in God's vineyard is the call of Fresh Expressions Australia. When we work cooperatively all kinds of things can happen. Let me tell you about something that was unthinkable only 12 months ago.

In October 2006, 12 men and women from St Paul's Chatswood in the Diocese of Sydney representing the English-speaking and Chinese congregations flew into the diocese of Ballarat for 6 days intensive mission. The visit was the invitation of the rector of South Ballarat, the Revd Mark Schnerring, and at the blessing of the Bishop, the Right Revd Michael Hough.

The team partnered the parish in reaching out to their urban and semi-rural communities.

Wherever possible, Sydney and Ballarat people were paired for visitation and a range of hospitality events. The rector used the time of mission to launch a new young adults’ ministry, a men’s breakfast, and a ladies’ craft meeting. The team(s) were also trained on the job and shared extended times of prayer and debriefing. On the final Sunday, two evangelistic services were conducted and at the ‘altar call’ some 19 people ‘came forward’.

What's so fresh about this you might ask?

Only that people from the most Evangelical and Catholic dioceses in the country found ways of working together. It showed that our shared faith in Jesus means that we have more in common than we realise. It showed that if we're serious about crossing cultural boundaries in Australia today that includes even the strongest cultural boundaries within our own Church. Following our Lord out into his mission field we might find more of God's workers working together.

Do you have a story about unlikely partners finding common ground in mission?