I can still remember attending large extended family gatherings as a child. The meal was simple – nothing like the exotic creations of Masterchef, but large servings of wholesome country food. The group would be made up of ten or more adults and even more kids. The meal times had many traditions but one was where you sat to eat. The adults & parents all sat at the big table, while the kids had various other options ranging from a small table, to outside or whatever suited. What was clear was where you did not sit, and that was at the big table!
As I entered my teenage years a significant change occurred. I was invited to sit at the big table. This gave me a sense of maturity beyond my years or my wisdom. It was a sign that I was now taken just that little bit more seriously and it influenced my steps towards maturity.
Our society has a big table. It’s called national politics and it involves the debates that define the future of our nation. Over the last 25 years, it has become increasingly popular to suggest that the Christian Church no longer has a “place at the big table”. These opinions are heard from both inside and outside the Church. From the inside, there are theologians and Christian writers who contend that our rightful place is on the margins – that for a variety of reasons we no longer deserve a place at the table. On the outside, the Church is told by politicians that faith and belief is a personal and private matter, and therefore has no place in our community debate. Many commentators of politics and society suggest that the Church is no longer relevant in contemporary western society; that we stand for out-dated ideas and so are not welcome at the big table. It’s feeling like popular opinion, from both inside and out, is suggesting the Church does not have a place at the big table.
I would like to contend that we should resist this push and assert our place at the big table of politics & community debate and not be seen as some charity case or hangover from the past – a lame tradition as it were. The Church in Australia has every right to be part of the community’s most significant discussions, for three good reasons.
Firstly, it is the history of our nation. It is clear from history that our nation has been built on Judeo-Christian ethics and morality. Modern democracies are built on a clear understanding of the dignity of the individual and the equality of all people. This means every person deserves a vote and every vote counts. Most Australians would be oblivious to the fact that the equality of all people did not exist until the teaching of Jesus. This is a Christian ideal and one which shifted humanity’s ethics and underpins the democratic process. It could be argued that without the teachings of Jesus, we would still be ruled by the elite classes who believed that they were entitled to dominate the rest of us. The Christian Church is not peripheral to the morals and ethics of our community. It is central. In saying that, I am not suggesting a reinstitution for Christendom but at least a clear understanding of our history.
Secondly, where history may not be significant, demographics are. When asked about religious status in the Australian National Census of 2011, 61% of Australians ticked the “Christian” box. While regular church-going Christians might think that many people don’t understand what that actually means, it does show that Australians are still willing to tick a box indicating allegiance to Christianity. There also other signs that Australians willingly connect to a Christian worldview.
Despite the general perception that few Australians actually attend church on a regular basis, and those numbers have fallen, it may not be as dire as it first looks. There is certainly a growing sense that our new religion is sport. We love football of all codes and the enormous crowds at AFL games at the MCG and other stadiums around the country, demonstrate it most powerfully. McCrindle Research shows that over a period of one month, the four major football codes of our nation (NRL, AFL, ARU & NSL) have a combined attendance of 1.6 million. Over the same period of time, one month, 3.4 million Australians attend church. There are more than double the number of Australians in church than there are at major football fixtures!
Two areas of rapid growth in Australia over the past 30 years have been in Christian radio & religious schools. McNair polling says that each month, 3.3 million Australians listen to Christian radio, and of these, between 40 – 60% don’t attend church regularly. There has also been growth in the number of Australian families sending their children to Christian schools.
Jennifer Buckingham, Research Fellow at The Centre for Independent Studies in her paper, “The Rise of Religious Schools”, explores the growth of religious schools in Australia. By international standards, Australia has a higher percentage of non-government schools that have religious affiliation – 94%. This is close to 30% of all schools. Between 1976 and 2006, the largest growth in school attendance, (growing from 12% to 28%) was families sending their children to schools outside the traditional Anglican, Catholic or government system. The majority of this growth has been in low fee Christian schools.
In either of the cases mentioned, it is not suggesting that listeners to Christian radio or families sending their children to Christian schools adhere to all that is said and taught. What is key though is that they do not change stations or withdrawn their children from schools because of the Christian values of the station or institution.
Thirdly, the Christian church can confidently take its place at the big table of politics because of its contribution to the community. Recent research by Pareto Fundraising has revealed that four of the top five charities (based on fundraising income in 2012/2013) were Christian-based. In the book Driven by Purpose: Charities that make the difference (2012), (by Stephen Judd, Anne Robinson and Felicity Errington), the authors look at the history of non-profit organisations in Australia. One of their observations is that 23 of the 25 largest charities and non-profits are faith-based institutions. These groups work in areas of welfare, medicine, overseas aid and community development. This demonstrates that the Church contributes to the Australian community in very significant ways, and on that basis alone, we deserve that seat at the big table.
The Church in Australia and those representing a Christian world view have too readily accepted the theological and philosophical argument that our place is relegated to the private faith lives of people in their homes and families – quarantined to a place of personal choice but not public policy. When the role and influence of the Christian Church is compared to groups like the Union movement, the Green movement or the gay rights lobby, all of whom have an entrenched seat at the table, they have no more historic, demographic or value-adding credentials than does the Church.
The Christian Church can and should occupy a seat at the political table, the big table, the adult’s table, and we should take it with confidence. This is not an attempt to grab for power or influence. It’s the opportunity to contribute with grace, a heart of service and commitment to the good of every person, especially the powerless.
Image: Dean Browne on Flickr, used under CC License.
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