The gap between practice and identity

Is Christianity really in decline — or is something deeper happening beneath the surface? In this episode, the guys take a break from their recent mini-series' on Soul Reviaval's service teams to unpack a fascinating new report from Christian research group McCrindle on the state of Christianity in Australia. While headlines often focus on the drop in people identifying as Christian — from 61% in 2011 to 44% in 2021 — the data reveals a surprising undercurrent: over 784,000 Australians have moved from having no religion to identifying as Christian. They explore what might be behind this shift, especially among older Australians where crisis moments like divorce or bereavement can lead to renewed spiritual searching. Meanwhile, Gen Z is showing a greater openness to spiritual conversations than any other generation — and a stronger link between belief and practice, with more regular church attendance than their parents or grandparents. The episode also dives into the gap between cultural identity and active faith, why church attendance as a percentage of population is actually rising, and the growing need for intergenerational ministry. They reflect on how young people are searching for meaning, and why many are walking away from Christianity — often because the vision presented to them isn’t compelling or connected to real life. With regional areas shifting faster than the cities, and the population dividing into categories like prodigals, nomads, and resilient disciples, the team considers what this means for mission, discipleship, and the future of the church in Australia.