1. Spirituality and Mission Rev Dr Philip Hughes Christian Research Association, Australia

2. Christian Research Association Formed in 1985 to conduct research for churches and their agencies of all denominations On the nature of faith in the Australian context Senior Members: Anglican Diocese of Melbourne Baptists of Victoria Catholic Bishops Conference ACCESS Ministries Converge (International) Lutheran Church, Australia Prahran Mission Salvation Army Seventh-day Adventists Tabor College (Victoria) Uniting Church, Synods of Victoria and NSW

3. Activities Major research projects of interest to all parts of the church Contracted research 'Clearing house' for research related to faith in the Australian context through 'Pointers' Major product: Australian Religious Communities: A Multimedia Exploration – Encyclopedia of 174 religious organisations. Used everywhere from Federal Parliamentary library, to universities, secondary schools to primary schools.

4. Great Challenge for Mission: Movement from Religion to Spirituality Will explore a little of this trend What it means for the population How churches might respond to it

5. 2009 – More spiritual than religious in Australia

6. Similar Trend in Many Parts of the World In most countries ' religion' is declining  Major exceptions are China and Israel In variety of countries, spirituality is growing – particularly in New Zealand, Japan, Uruguay and USA as well as Australia

7. Major Caveat Many countries have no parallel to northern European sense of spirituality (eg Thailand, Burma) Migrants from these countries into countries such as UK and Australia do not understand the European individualised spirituality Churches (and religiosity), including Baptists, are growing primarily among migrants in Australia

8. A Number of Theoretical Attempts to Explain Growth of Spirituality in Northern Europe David Voas – 'Another False Dawn for the Sacred' argues that it is a step towards secularity Carrette and King 'Selling Spirituality: the Silent Takeover of Religion' argue that it is a consumerist take over of religion Heelas and Woodhead 'The Spiritual Revolution' argue that has to do with changes in which people find meaning in life

9. Heelas and Woodhead Life was seen in 'life as' terms Identity was given by one's gender, ethnicity, social status, etc Identity now seen in terms of fulfilment of 'subjective life' Life is now what we want to make it as individuals and no longer determined by personal or social characteristics The movement from religion to spirituality a part of the widespread movement to a more individualistic way of putting life together

10. Origins of Change in 1960s and 1970s Change in worldview arose from  Change in methods of raising children: raised as individuals, rather than as part of community or even as subject to family Due to smaller families (and the pill) and capacity to pay attention to needs of individual child plus advice from Spock, etc.. Change in early life experiences – more 'pluralistic' due to pluralism in local communities, TV, etc. Post-modern individualism has deep roots in early childhood

11. Other Influences on Rejection of Institutionalised Religion / Pro Spirituality Mass media – introduced more pluralism and sought to develop 'consumeristic' attitudes Protest against institutions, including government and church, which seen to have wrong values in 1960s and 1970s  Failure of government in relation to war  Repression by churches of sexuality  Both seen to fail in terms of women's rights Increasing options for individuals in relation to occupation, etc.

12. Some Institutionalised Spirituality Neo-paganism, Wicca, Druids  Partly arise out of rejection of Christianity  Partly attempts to get back to nature-base These have remained small (but still growing)  16,851 Pagans  8,414 Wicca  1,048 Druids  5,400 other 'nature religion' including Animists  Total of about 32,000 people in Australia

13. Spirituality Today in Anglo Countries Mostly rejected institutional forms of Nature Religions because spirituality is 'individualised' New Age, Wicca and Pagan ideas have dissipated in weakened forms into the general community Thus people see spirituality in nature, but few claim natural powers as in Wicca Focus on wellbeing has roots in New Age but accepted by many outside the New Age movement as an 'aim' in life

14. Some Characteristics of Contemporary Spirituality (Fisk) Eclectic rather than particular in sources Focus on experience rather than dogma On this-worldliness rather than life-after-death Is practised and owned personally rather than collectively Is egalitarian in approach rather than dependent on hierarchies in institutions or in expertise; Takes a human-centred rather than a God-centred approach to life

15. In Australia – 2 Main Types of Spirituality Eclectic – drawing on a variety of resources to enhance personal life (8% of population in 2002)  69% believe in spirit or life-force (17% in God)  8% attend a church monthly or more often Nature – finds spirituality in nature and identity with nature (9% of population in 2002)  53% believe in spirit or life-force (21% in God)  4% attend a church monthly or more often

16. Is It Likely to Disappear? Lack of institutional forms makes spiritual very weak and amorphous Most people ignore the religious / spiritual in everyday life Thus, could be a step towards greater secularity However, many people aware that materialism is inadequate for dealing with life  Spiritual important in relationships  And in inner wellbeing

17. As Something Personal... People look for activities or events which will nurture their spirituality  Contribute to their wellbeing  Assist them to fulfilment in spiritual life For some: yoga, meditation For others: art, music, drama, film For some: some form of community / small group For many: 'holidays', relaxation

18. What are the Implications for Christian Mission?

19. Heelas and Woodhead, The Spiritual Revolution (2005): Churches Feeding the Subjective Self Doing Better Greater focus in the churches on the subjective self Mainstream churches focus on social justice and the community – which does not necessarily feed the subjective self Many evangelical churches have rigid ideas about how the self should be Charismatic churches often doing better in nurturing the subjective self How should respond depends on theology of mission, not on sociological description

20. Emphases in contemporary spirituality with connections to Christian tradition Spiritual recognises there is 'something beyond' Sees this in mystery in human life and in universe, awe in the beauty of nature (Psalms) Sense of mystery in line with the mystics of many religions including Christians Antidote to Protestant tendency to anthropomorphise God and 'take out' the sense of mystery

21. Recognition of Mystery in Natural World Present in the Psalms and prophets Problem arises when nature is seen as inherently mysterious rather than pointing to a transcendent Mystery Contemporary spirituality reminds Christians to recapture respect for creation and dedication to its care

22. Experience Rather than Dogma Many Christians traditions have emphasised experience rather than dogma True within the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox In a different way, also true within Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity Hence Pentecostals and charismatic have connected better with post-60s people than other denominational traditions

23. Protest against Institutionalism of Religion Has occurred frequently in Christian history Left-wing of the Reformation (Baptists) included such a protest Also present in Restorationism Need that protest again: to lighten the weight of Christian institutional baggage But the radical individualism of spirituality is a step too far!

24. Agree with Contemporary Spirituality Need to re-charge our batteries and care for ourselves Need time for reflection, time to step aside from business of life Need to express ourselves through music, art and drama In functionalism of Protestantism, have lost sight of these reflections and celebrations of roots in the Mystery of God

25. Heart of Christian Faith Fulfilment / wholeness of life Contained in term 'salvation' However, Hebrew and Christian traditions look primarily for that fulfilment in communal forms rather than individual – the 'shalom' of the Kingdom of God in which the whole community lives in purposeful harmony But find wholeness as focus on others rather than self

26. Protest against Contemporary Spirituality Find fulfilment not in focus on self-realisation through obeying 'inner impulses' Through contributing to one's relationship with others In contemporary society, all can develop own biography Biography becomes meaningful as make contribution to wellbeing of others and wider society

27. But not stay with focus on self Most people recognise that fulfilment found in relationships with others – primarily friends and family Also in contributing to wider society, through paid occupations and through voluntary activities Surveys and interviews with teachers: enhance spirituality through international or national aid, pilgrimage, theological study, with family

28. In Jesus' terms Purpose of Christian mission is to call people to love God and to love their neighbours as themselves Primary means of fulfilment of this is not attendance at worship services Numerous ways in which churches could open up ways for people to develop the relationship with God and with others

29. Individualistic approach to life means... People will increasing connect with Christian churches and other organisations through short- term involvements Through specific task groups and activities Through festivals and one-off events Less involved in long-term involvement in congregations Churches need to prepare for this in training of leaders, development of communication systems, and in change in financial systems

30. Other Activities Growing Pilgrimage very popular – many walking the Camino, for example Immersion experiences – eg in aid Meditation options Book clubs and film groups Use of music, art and drama Social justice / green activities Adult education … even theological education Chaplaincy

31. Through the 'spirituality movement' God is calling the church to renewal Diverse range of activities catering for variety of people Have communication patterns for inviting participation from wider community rather than depending on 'in-house' communications Professionalism in activities and 'fees for service' Congregation becomes the stable trunk of a large tree of the life of the church