Join the Christian Research Association’s Senior Research Officer to explore the growth and decline of Christian churches in Australia in the 21st century.

According to statistics from the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church, membership growth in Australian Adventist churches between 2004 and 2014 averaged 1.3 per cent per year. In the same period, the Australian population grew by 1.5 per cent per year. It appears the church is failing to hold its own.

What are the factors affecting the growth or decline of Christian churches in Australia? To what extent are those factors affecting the Adventist Church? What causes some to maintain membership despite multiple disagreements with church policy while others revoke membership over single issues or simply drift away? And why is the drop-out rate of children growing up in churches across all denominations above 70 per cent?

Presenter

Rev Dr Philip Hughes, Senior Research Officer, Christian Research Association. Hughes has served as Senior Research Officer with the Christian Research Association since 1985. He is a former Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Justice Research at Edith Cowan University. He is now an Honorary Research Fellow at Edith Cowan and at MCD University of Divinity.

The Christian Research Association formed in 1985 to serve the churches of Australia. Its task is to provide up-to-date and reliable information about religious faith and church life in Australia. Its work is supported by religious bodies in Australia including the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Presentation title

“Understanding growth and decline in Australian churches in the 21st century.”

Presented by

Sydney Adventist Forum with Avondale College of Higher Education

Cost

Freewill offering.

Note

• Seating in the Level 2 Conference Room limited to 150.
• Entry to Level 2 Conference Room through foyer on level two. Access level two directly from new multi-deck car park.
• Parking at Sydney Adventist Hospital on Saturdays is free.