Statistics published by the Australia 's Christian Research Association (CRA) show two shock results, the first, that the fastest growing Australian Christian church is the evangelically conservative main stream Christian Brethren Assemblies (no association with the Exclusive Brethren).
Second, CRA senior researcher Dr Philip Hughes says that external statistical analysis shows that Pentecostal long term increase is not showing up. This appears to be on two fronts; the first that any growth is coming from member families, and the second, traffic is busy through their 'entry and exit' doors.
The same set of figures according to the CRA show that 'a continuation of existing decline' of main-line churches will be devastating over the next 20 years, in particular for the Salvation Army due to 'the ageing factor'. This 'also applies' to the Uniting Church , which has additional issues over homosexual clergy and its liberal policy on relationships.
Mark Tronson 55, a Baptist minister and Chairman of Well-Being Australia , is in a unique position to survey the Australian church, viewing it intimately from both the inside and the outside.
For 23 years he has been connected with Australian cricket, serving the team as chaplain until 2001, then focusing on Life After Cricket, as well as editor of the Retired Australian Cricketers Bi-Annual Newsletter.
In 2007 he established Cricket family respite in the Tweed .
Moreover M V Tronson has established two respite ministry facilities for Australian Institute of Sport athletes (Moruya 1992 and the Tweed 2006).
He also has an art ministry with a gallery in Moruya (2003), initiated the Moruya Basil Sellers $10,000 Art Prize, was for five years on the Arts Council and in 2007, established an art studio in the Tweed .
M V Tronson puts forward 'three reasons' as to why the Christian Brethren Assemblies show reliable, sustainable and undeniable statistical growth.
He claims that these 'three ingredients' for such 'satisfying' long term growth are there for any denomination and congregation to adopt.
"Historically, long term Christian sustainable increase has never been about self indulgence." M V Tronson explained. "It has been about personal convictions, with the 'three main principles': adherence to sound Salvation focused doctrine with clearly defined values and outcomes; sin results in the destruction of relationships; and individuals need to accept repentance."
These three central ideas illustrate 'historical evangelical Christian living'. Anyone who exhibits such attitudes will 'create a response' in others.
"When these 'three principles' are expressed in community, by 'denominational direction' or 'the local corner church', classical New Testament scenes are repeated. In some situations this has led to persecution, yet in others there has been sensible community recognition," M V Tronson explained.
'These tenets', M V Tronson claims, illustrate 'satisfying' growth of a group such as the Christian Brethren Assemblies, who are statistically minor within Protestantism as 'unlikely candidates' for national growth attention.
M V Tronson, an evangelical himself, makes three points correlating their theological emphasis to this statistical analysis:
First, evangelical Christians are seeking a clear unequivocal Gospel direction which is aligned to the great truths of Salvation through Jesus Christ alone. The Christian Brethren Assemblies fit here comfortably.
Second, evangelical Christians are sick to death of being led up the proverbial garden path that accepts that personal and corporate sin is not destructive. The Christian Brethren Assemblies have traditionally never been short on emphasizing this. Jesus Christ's death on the Cross at Calvary taking the place of sinners is central a hallmark of their theology.
Third, the Biblical announcement is that repentance is essential for Salvation is a catch cry of evangelicals. The Christian Brethren Assemblies are never caught short on this either. This message, when coupled with an emphasis on 'the blood' of Christ, carries great poignancy, and asks, "the last time repentance and the blood of Christ was emphasized wherever you gather for worship?"
"I recall the resurgence of the Australian cricket team when coach Bob Simpson was appointed, his call was 'Back to Basics' and back to basics it was. Hours of it. Fielding drills, net batting, bowling practice. The results of this strategy have now been entrenched in legend.
"According to the statistics provided by the Christian Research Association, the Christian Brethren Assemblies have something going for them. Their back to basics theology illustrate that the results are as satisfying as they were with the cricket team," M V Tronson reflected.