Evangelical/Pentecostal churches have increased across Auckland, according to Dr Peter Lineham of Massey University.

New Zealand Christian Network (visionnetwork) plays a significant role in connecting evangelical and Pentecostal Christians, not only in Auckland but also around the country, and many church leaders at local and national level say this greater connectedness is an integral component of this growth.

Dr Peter Lineham, Associate Professor of History and Head of the School of Social and Cultural Studies at Massey University, spoke at a recent Auckland Church Leaders meeting on "Stock-taking: Where the Church is at in 2010 in Auckland." He said not all new Christians are evangelical or Pentecostal, but this grouping is now a significant one in the wider Church.

Some of the important points made from his, and others', research included:

• The constant rise of unbelief by Aucklanders in the past 40+ years is shown in a number of surveys. Asian and Pacific Island immigrants have swelled the numbers in many churches, especially the historic churches like Catholic, Presbyterian and Methodist, and this has further served to mask the true level of unbelief by so many Pakeha.
• The Catholic Church has coped reasonably well, whereas others, such as the Anglican Church, have markedly declined. Catholics have significantly benefited by their school system and huge immigrant support.
• Evangelical/Pentecostal churches have increased across Auckland. Not all new Christians are evangelical or Pentecostal but this grouping is now a significant one in the wider Church.
• Many churches are aging, e.g., mean ages and the proportion who are female in Anglican Churches is 61.4 years (67.8% female), Baptist 49.5 years (56.7% female), Catholic 54 years (58.7% female), Presbyterian 62.7 years (64.1% female) and Union/Co-operating parishes 63.7 years (66% female). (The average adult age is New Zealand is about 46 years.)
• About 50 per cent of the youth of Auckland are Pacific Island or Asian. This has huge evangelism implications.
• Immigrants appear to be more open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ than long-term New Zealanders.
• It seems clear that the increase in ‘no religion' in the censuses have come mostly from the periphery of the churches, and committed core people still have a clear sense of denominational identity. This is leading to a renewed theological awareness in many churches.

Dr Lineham indicated that an ethnic strategy for outreach in Auckland is necessary, as the city is especially multi-cultural, with a high proportion of immigrants. Too many churches are maintenance-minded with programmes that just serve their own structures. It is imperative that every church becomes more missional in its planning and outreach.

Signs of Hope

1 Comments

1. drienie makes this comment

   Wednesday 16 June, 2010

   I am from South africa, it will help me alot if i can meet evangelical christians, i am also charasmatic. Cant we start something on facebook i will appreciate it very much Thanks Drienie