In 2006 the CRCA adopted a strategy to increase church health and effectiveness throughout the denomination in Australia. The churches agreed to the vision to be "A church reforming to reach the lost for Christ." The stated mission described what we as churches prayerfully and by God's grace hoped to achieve: "To multiply Bible-based Christian fellowships and congregations which equip and nurture their members and grow throughout Australia and beyond." So now 7 years on, how are we doing?
There is both good and bad news. And it is good to look at them both. In my work with churches I always remind them and myself that facts are your friends. Only when we honestly look at the facts about a church or a denomination can we both begin, by God's grace, to seize the opportunities and overcome the barriers before us.
Bad news first. In the first half of the past seven years we saw a gradual membership growth among our churches. We began to see a reversal of many years of decline (see chart). In 2010 we saw our overall denomination grow to over 9000 members -- something that we had not seen since 1997. And for that we had reason to rejoice and give glory to our God and Saviour. The bad news is that the growth we saw happen over two years slipped back into three years of decline. In the past year our churches had a decline in membership of just under 2%. The net result is that in 2013 we are exactly back at the membership levels of 2006, with a total denominational membership of 8715. [Note: these statistics are from the actual denominational statistics -- all the reported totals for 2012 and 2013 in the recently published 2013 CRCA Yearbook are not accurate.]
That's the bad news, and for some of us, this might be disconcerting. We add up the numbers and see the totals declining, and we get discouraged. But if we take our eyes off the big picture and look at the finer details of denominational statistics, there is still much reason to rejoice and give God the glory! It is true that a number of our churches saw more than 10% decline this past year (Bray Park in QLD; Casey, Hope in the Hills and Mount Evelyn in VIC; Perth in WA). But it is also true that 20 churches reported membership growth. Half of these churches had over 10% growth (Canberra in ACT; Dee Why in NSW; Redlands in QLD; Narre Warren, Cobden and South Barwon in VIC; Gateway and Grace in WA; Hallett Cove in SA). Some of the fastest growing churches in the CRCA this past year were Redlands (17%), Narre Warren (81%), Cobden (19%), Grace (19%), and Hallet Cove (66%). 250 people were added to our churches through these growing churches. And this is not just a numbers game. Every person counts. Every person represents someone aligning themselves with God and his people. There were births, transfers, and conversions. And when the lost are found and sinners repent and believe, we and all of heaven join in rejoicing (Luke 15:10).
We also see other signs of church health and growth in the CRCA. Back in 2006 the CRCA was engaged in a couple of church plants. While we have struggled with a few of our church plants, today there are 10 churches that are being actively planted by CRCA churches, with several more being planned. Planting churches is one of the most effective ways to seed the gospel into the hearts of our communities and lost Australians. We continue to see consistent church growth in Western Australia and this is also the state where we see the most church plants happening. By God's grace we pray that in the next decade we will see these new churches flourishing, other churches planted, and many people brought into fellowship with God and his people.
A further sign of church health is the growing number of churches intentionally seeking ways to be more effective in reaching the lost for Christ and discipling the found. At least 20 churches over the past 12 months have engaged me in my role with Ministry Formation to discuss ways to improve church health. In the past five years 16 churches have taken the NCD Church Health survey. Many of these churches have done multiple surveys. And it is a proven fact, that if churches implement strategies to address the NCD survey results, they will see improved church health. A growing number of churches are developing a Mission Action Plan (MAP) to increase church effectiveness in all areas of church life. Healthy churches are growing churches. This is not only something I strongly believe. Improving overall church health is also something I am singly committed to in my denominational role.
What will the statistics say about the CRCA in 2014? Will we be able to testify that the Lord added to our numbers daily those who were being saved? (See Acts 2:47) Allow me to encourage you in the mission God has given us as churches in Australia. Will you join me in devoting ourselves to prayer? Daily will you join me in praying for revival in and through the churches of the CRCA? In the words of Phillips Brooks, "Prayer is not conquering God's reluctance, but taking hold of God's willingness."
Will you join me in my commitment to growing healthy churches which equip our members to engage in God's mission in the world? Will you assist your church leaders in promoting the gospel in and through your local church?
Will you join me in raising up the next generation of disciples? In your family, in your church, in your neighbourhood, in your city -- may we about making disciples, teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded us (Matthew 28:18-20). Join me in encouraging those God has called to take up the mantle of the ordained ministry. And may the halls of the Reformed Theological College be filled with men and women eager to serve in full time gospel work -- ordained or unordained, paid or voluntary, here or abroad!
Finally, may all we say and do contribute to advance the kingdom of God in Australia through the CRCA. With the apostle Paul may we become all things to all people so that by all possible means we might save some. And may we do this for sake of the gospel. (see 1 Corinthians 9:22-23)
Let us remember that "my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)