Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Introduction to the Module 12

In this module we look at the Christian Church in Australia. We will not confine ourselves to the Catholic Church since all those who are baptised form in fact the Christian Church - a point which was made in an earlier module in this unit.

The church is a multifaceted phenomenon. This implies there are many different ways of observing or studying it. Many of the modules have studied church from a theological or historical viewpoint. It is now time to take a somewhat different look at church. Much in the following readings explore church from the discipline of sociology. It is important that the reader note this and not be looking for faith perspectives where none were intended. Sociologists are concerned with describing the phenomena as they see it, as it is gathered up in surveys, statistics, observations or interviews. What use the churches make of this data is up to the churches. To disregard the data would seem foolish as it is reasonable to suppose that the data reveal some underlying motives, trends, feelings or convictions.

It will be apparent that much of the data collected in Australia comes from the work of the Christian Research Association. This in itself shows that at least some Christians think it is important to gather data about the churches.

Introduction to Reading 12.1

The first reading by Hughes, a researcher with the Christian Research Association, gives us a profile of the churches in Australia using the 1991 census figures. We have had another census since then (1996) so a page of statistics is inserted so that you can make comparisons and there is a question on this issue in Exercise 12.1. In this unit on church we have been speaking about the Christian Church and frequently specifically about the Catholic Church. Hughes’ figures range over the whole religious scene in Australia and thus include religions other than Christian. This gives a fuller picture of the society in which Christian Churches live out their mission.

Note that this reading and others in this module deal mainly with sociological and cultural matters. They are not theological as such, but pose questions for the churches, such as, what do we do about the data? what changes can we make? how do we prepare for the future without abandoning our religious traditions? what is essential to our traditions?

This chapter makes use of the 1991 census figures as well as the data from the National Life Survey of 1993.

Exercise 12.1

12.1.1 Compare the 1991 census figures with those of 1996. What differences can you see and how would you explain these?

12.1.2 Note down the major religious changes in Australia since World War II.

12.1.3 Itemize the changes in the ways Australians relate to the churches.

12.1.4 Is Bibby’s research applicable to Australian churches? Explain your answer.

12.1.5 Of what use is contemporary sociological data to a theological understanding of church? (For this one you might find it useful and helpful to consult with a minister or priest or some other knowledgeable person.)

Introduction to Reading 12.2

The second reading gives a very broad understanding of the way religious communities, Christian and others, have developed in Australia. In this chapter the author focuses on Christian Churches in some detail.

It gives some of the history of the religious communities in Australia since 1788. Note it covers more than the Christian Churches. It includes other world religions or faiths such as Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism.

The pattern of immigration before and after World War II is quite different. Note the differences and main trends since World War II with the Orthodox, for one, suddenly registering large increases in their numbers from various countries in Eastern Europe. Note too the historic origins of the Australian-born church, the Uniting Church in Australia in 1977.

In the last section of the article some patterns in the settlement of religious communities are identified. The question then is : how do these trends impinge upon the churches today?

Exercise 12.2

12.2.1 With reference to the development of Christian Churches in Australia, take the period from settlement to World War II and compare it with the period from World War II to the present.

12.2.2 In summary fashion note patterns in the settlement of religious communities in Australia since World War II.

Introduction to Reading 12.3

The third reading by Ian Breward is the chapter "Discerning The Spirit In Australian Society". Here the author is trying to detect the trends in society, mainly in recent years, and how the churches have responded. He deals with the issues of corruption, changing gender roles (at some length), the place of Aborigines (the debate about land rights has become more intense since Breward wrote), Australian theology, leadership problems. The issue of ecumenism, its ups and downs in Australia, is also brought into focus.

One of the more difficult roles of the Christian Church is to read the signs of the times, that is, to discern what are the trends in society and the church and evaluate them. Hence the title of this chapter is important. It brings us back to the pneumatological aspect of the church, that is, that the church is lead by the Spirit. This presupposes that the people who make up the church are prepared to listen to and obey the Spirit. This is not an easy task as Breward shows in his description of the women’s ordination debate when sincere Christians on both sides of the debate are trying to discern the Spirit. The same could be said about Native Title.

Exercise 12.3

12.3.1 How have gender roles changed in Australia? How have the churches responded?

12.3.2 What does Breward see as the problems of leadership in the churches? Do you agree with him?

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