Ministry News

New Growth for New Zealand

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Friday, 22 May 2009 09:38

Just as the current economic recession is affecting countries across the globe, so is it changing the landscape for churches worldwide. A couple of weeks ago we documented church growth in Ireland. The latest report finds a similar boon of spiritual interest in New Zealand, where Catholic, Presbyterian and Anglican churches say they've seen a definite spike in attendance.

"There's certainly a renewed interest," said Peter Beck, dean of ChristChurch Cathedral of New Zealand in Christchurch, the nation's second-largest city. "People are looking for a way forward. Instead of consumerism and individualism, which has really consumed us in these last decades, people have been shown the result of all that is to reap this whirlwind around the world and they are looking for something better. It's extraordinarily encouraging, really."

Beck added that the surging interest has prompted many church leaders to preach the gospel with more boldness, particularly during the holiday seasons that typically draw higher attendance. In industry-driven areas of the country that have been most affected by factory and company closings, many churches have had to increase their pastoral support.

"People are disillusioned by materialism," commented one Catholic priest, "but [this is] bigger than the recession." [stuff.co.nz., 5/13/09]