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John Bellamy, Peter Mayrick

and Penny Andersen

July 2020

Version: 10 JUL 2020

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The authors wish to acknowledge:

• Provision by NCLS Research of NCLS datasets and combined Anglican-Protestant

statistics cited in this report.

• Provision of case studies by the Rev Canon Phil Colgan (St George North), the Rev

Roger Cunningham (Emu Plains), the Rev Steve Gardner (Canterbury) and the Rev

Canon Tom Harricks (Penrith).

Dr John Bellamy is a Senior Researcher in Anglicare’s Social Policy & Research Unit and is

a consultant to the Strategy and Research Group. He has been with Anglicare for 30 years

and was part of the team which developed the first National Church Life Survey in 1991.

Peter Mayrick is Co-Director of the Centre for Ministry Development, a Centre of Moore

Theological College established to assist pastors and their churches to function at the highest

level. Peter has been providing theologically-shaped consultancy, coaching and training in

ministry since 2012 and is a member of the Strategy and Research Group.

Dr Penny Andersen is a Research Officer in Anglicare’s Social Policy & Research Unit and

has been with the unit for over 10 years. Apart from writing research reports, Penny is the

Census and mapping specialist for the unit.

© Anglicare Diocese of Sydney, 2020

Enquiries regarding this study should be directed to:

Dr John Bellamy

Senior Researcher

Social Policy & Research Unit

Anglicare Diocese of Sydney

PO Box 284

Castle Hill, NSW, 1765

E: research@anglicare.org.au

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Executive Summary .............................................................................................................. 4

1. Introduction.................................................................................................................... 5

1.1 About this Report .................................................................................................... 5

2. Growth in Faith - Diocesan Statistics.............................................................................. 7

3. Previous NCLS Findings ................................................................................................ 9

4. Current Study – Anglican Sydney ................................................................................ 12

5. Factors Associated with Growth in Faith ...................................................................... 15

5.1 Church Services ................................................................................................... 15

5.2 Sense of Belonging............................................................................................... 16

5.3 Leadership............................................................................................................ 18

5.4 Personal devotions ............................................................................................... 20

5.5 Small Groups........................................................................................................ 22

5.6 Outreach, Ministry & Giving .................................................................................. 24

6. Conclusions ................................................................................................................. 27