18th June 2025

A Quiet Resurgence of Faith?

from Travis

This week The Economist published an article "The West has stopped losing its religion" along with the supporting data that their conclusions were based on. It follows on from many other research based, data-driven observations that something is happening across the Western World. There are articles speaking of the turn back to religion in the UK, with one research survey seeing church attendance among 18-24yr olds quadrupling since 2018. There are articles noting the rise of faith among young adults in the US, especially among young men. In our own Australian context there seems to be, what Hannah Felbourg called, a "hidden undercurrent" of Australians turning to Christianity.

Nearly 785,000 Australians who identified as having no religion in the 2016 Census listed Christianity in 2021, according to a study released by social research firm McCrindle... “These aren’t just shifts in census data—they represent real spiritual journeys,” Mr McCrindle said. 

Anecdotally, I often have the chance to connect with other pastors from around NSW and Australia and hear a little of what is happening in their church contexts. Their stories back up the data: stories of the once churched returning to reconnect with faith in community, stories of the un-churched turning up open and curious to explore faith for themselves, stories of the already-churched 'leaning in' and engaging afresh. It is not an avalanche and alongside the good news stories there continue to be stories of those who are drifting away from their faith and church. Yet what pastors I know seem to be experiencing is a noticeable shift towards a quiet resurgence of faith among our communities as people search for hope, peace, joy, meaning and purpose.

I think we can (in Jesus' words) "take heart!" and be encouraged by this emerging trend. I believe we should allow it to spur us on and help fuel our focus as we seek to share the Good News of Jesus with a world who so desperately need Him.

Let us, then, keep passionately interceding over our country. Let us keep praying by name for our neighbours, work colleagues, family and friends to come to know Jesus. Let us renew our commitment to living as salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16) among the people God has placed us, helping to point them towards Jesus with our lives, love and conduct. Let us be prepared to give an answer for the hope we carry within us (1 Peter 3:15) and be on the look out for open door opportunities to have spiritual conversations. And let us give thanks to God, that He is always on the move!!

Baptism... and baptisms

We are celebrating and sharing God's joy in seeing Joel share his testimony and be baptised as a "line in the sand" moment last Sunday! If you missed it, we recorded Joel's testimony and baptism on Sunday night, which you can watch below.

Our next Baptism Service is only a few weeks away, with many others currently working on writing down their testimony and preparing for their line in the sand moment. If you are feeling prompted to consider baptism as your next step in following Jesus, please let us know here.

Welcome to Ministry Partnership

Over the past month we are thrilled to welcome 20 people into Ministry Partnership at NVBC!! Ministry Partnership is our way for people to say "count me in" to the life of NVBC, including participating in the discerning and decision-making aspects of our church life. We think it is a really healthy and helpful thing, one which reflects the New Testament pattern of churches being made up of communities of individuals who are deeply committed to one-another and to following Jesus together.

Our newest ministry partners are: Leigh & Laura H, Alma & Noel M, Melissa & Kelvin P, Jody M, Peter & Janice W, David & Jane W, Matt L, Chloe E, Matthew & Sheryl E, Olivia D, Hannah C, Indy D, Catherine C and Bunty R!

There are so many encouraging God-stories among them, of how each was drawn to Jesus and found there way to worshipping here at NVBC. Some are relatively new to the life of NVBC whereas others have been connected for many years (or even their whole life!). The common story between them is that each one loves Jesus, loves his church here at NVBC and is ready to say "this is my church!" So next time you see one of them, shake their hand &/or give them a high five and thank them for their heart to sow into the life and future of our church as we keep pursuing Jesus together.

(And hey, if you feel it is your turn to join them in becoming Ministry Partners - let us know)

Rego's Close Soon

We are looking forward to taking some of our year 4-7's to this year's State Kids Camp. If you are a parent of a year 4-7 we encourage you to take a look at this peak faith experience happening in the upcoming school holidays. Rego's do close soon though, so time to get on it!

Prayer Night

TONIGHT

(Wednesday June 18)

We invite you to join together with us for a powerful night of praying for one another, our church and world.

This Sunday

This Sunday AM Travis will continue our Exodus series (ch33), tying the past 3 weeks together as we celebrate worshipping a Covenant Keeping God!

This Sunday PM Zach will continue our Mark series (Mark 6:1-13), looking at the authority that Jesus sends his disciples with.

Seniors Service

Thursday 26 June

Our monthly communion service with hymns, prayer and testimony is coming up. This month Noel and Alma will share their story.

Lots Coming Up!

Coming up: we've got combined events for youth, worship night for all, State Kids Camp for our yr4-7s, Soul Survivor for Young Adults and a Connect Weekend for the whole church.

You can find details on any of these and many other upcoming events on our whatson page

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