Declining members in Christian organisations in Australia
If Christianity was a football club (say the Australian Christian Football Club – ACFC), and membership was the most critical indicator of the club’s viability, how would the ACFC fare?
Who is responsible for ensuring that the club continues to attract members?
Religious Affiliation in Australia, 1971 – 2021
Waves of migration have shaped Australia’s religious profile. Over the years, the growth of Christianity in Australia was a function of migration. One can conclude that domestic evangelisation in Australia was never a strong suit. The ability of the ACFC to retain existing members, and attract new ones domestically, has never been strong.
Christian affiliation by generation, 2021
As the number of Christians declined in the newer waves of migration, the inability to retain existing Christians, and attract new ones in Australia, has resulted in millennials having the highest proportion of No religion (46.5%) and Other religions (14.9 %).
Decline in Christian affiliation
The number of people affiliated with Christianity in Australia decreased from 12.2 million (52.1%) in 2016 to 11.1 million (43.9%) in 2021. This decrease occurred across most ages, with the most significant reduction for young adults (18 -25 years).
SEE
We ask ourselves, as Catholics in Australia, how is it that:
A club with over 3,000 organisations employing more than 220 000 people (in 2016) throughout Australia?
A club with over 1,759 Catholic schools reaching 793,897 young people throughout Australia?
A club with over 11,400 branches (local parishes) throughout Australia?
A club with an estimated national wealth of $30 billion (in 2018)?
is struggling to retain existing members, let alone find new ones?
JUDGE
Why is this club struggling?
Is it the brand?
Is it the strategy?
Is it the leaders?
Is it the existing members themselves?
Is it something else?
ACT
What can we, the members, do to stop and reverse this decline?
