31st March, 2004

Australian churches: The expectations of those taking part...

Ocean Grove Baptist Church, Victoria.
Around 370 attend weekend services.
Says Senior Pastor Andrew Merry: “We hope the 40 Days of Purpose will bring the church together with a unified focus and provide an opportunity for individual spiritual growth along with a chance to reach to others in our community.”

Anglican Parish of Port Hedland, Western Australia.
Around 80 people attend weekend services.
Says Rector Bill Ross: “We’ve been going through a process in our church here looking at how we grow people and grow the church in the community...I would hope that many people in the church gain a fresh understanding of their purpose and use the opportunity with something with a catchphrase like “what on earth am I here for?” to invite people of their acquaintance, at work or in the neighbourhood to come and share the experience for the six weeks that it’s on.”

Seaton Christian Family Centre, South Australia.
Around 800 attend weekend services.
Says Pastor Ian Hunter: “We see it as a great way to help the church become more committed to the basic things, I guess, that we should all be doing...(and), secondly to increase the number of people involved in small groups in the church...and, thirdly, for the opportunity it presents for one-on-one evangelism.”

...and the experience of one which already has

Kruger Parade Baptist Church, Redbank, Queensland.
The church of around 300 took part in “40 Days of Purpose” in October last year.
Says Senior Pastor Ken O’Rourke: “Before the campaign, we understood that churches were experiencing 22 per cent increases in church attendance and 79 per cent increases in small groups and I would have settled for half of that...but we saw a 50 per cent increase in attendance and a 300 per cent increase in our small groups. It was a great blessing right from the start.”