Loners, Irreligious and Struggling

Dear Pastors

The much awaited 2018 Census Results were out last week. I think it is one of the best and most fascinating reads every five years. It tells us about ourselves, how we are made up, how we live, where we live, in what kind of houses we live, how much we earn, how we spend our money, what kind of work we do, how religious we are, to say nothing about how we are changing and so much more.

For example, there are now 4.7 million of us living in NZ, 73% of us were born in NZ and a growing 27% were born overseas. 17% of us are of Maori ethnicity and 15% Asian (up from 6.64% in 2001). By the way, this alone explains why our church attendance figures are ‘as good’ as they are. Most main line denominations have seen a massive increase in attendance from Asian peoples in the last 20 years especially the Catholics. They have helped us keep our numbers up and likewise the viability of many churches. What follows are three insights from the census that I think are particularly interesting for us as Pastors and could perhaps inform us about where fruitful mission and ministry opportunities are located. There are many others I could have chosen.

Loners

In this article in the Sunday Star Times last Sunday based on the census results we learn that growing numbers of New Zealanders are living alone, and it's coming at a financial and social cost.

Newly released Census data shows that 405,000 people (approx. 24% of all households) now live alone, 36,000 more than did in 2013.It was the second-most common household type, behind two-occupant households - at 519,561.

That number is higher than those with three people, at 258,909, and four people, at 238,719.

Economist Shamubeel Eaqub said much of that increase was due to the population ageing. People were also marrying and having children later in life, which could mean more time spent living alone beforehand.

The "typical Kiwi family" was changing, he said and it would not be long before people living alone were the most common household type.

When I stopped and thought about this issue for a few minutes I realised that I knew a lot of people living alone. What might be the outreach opportunities be given this information?

Irreligious

A quick search will tell you what all the main media outlets have already covered. Just 37% of us state an affiliation with a Christian Religion and 48% state no religious affiliation (up a massive 35% from 2013). Funny side note: There are some 4000 of us that say they have a new affiliation of a ‘pastafarian’ kind, called the church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster’……seriously!

As different ones have said, “at least we are being honest” or “the census figures are at last reflecting what has been true for well over 30 years”. However it is important to remember that actual regular church attendance sits around 9-12% depending on your definition of regular. And what is of most concern I think is that this figure continues to decline. This of course is an issue that is pretty much central to an ongoing discussion in books, articles and the blogosphere.

Struggling

This article was written in April this year before the census results came out. I have referenced it as I think it is an excellent analysis of the current state of affairs as far as income vs cost of living is concerned.

As I write this I remember so clearly one of PM David Lange’s many one-liners. He said, when responding to this very issue that the problem for the middle class is “that they are to rich to be poor and to poor to be rich”. Boom, he nailed it and that was in the mid 80’s. At an initial and rather quick reading of the census data this situation is as true as ever.

What challenges does this present to us as pastors and what mission opportunities does it offer?

I hope you can ‘dig’ into the census results. It is a gold mine of very interesting information and I guarantee inspiration for a few sermons.

Blessings

Alan

Announcement

Raising Resilient Kids evening seminar for parents in Hamilton and Cambridge in November with Kathryn Berkett. All info here.

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.