Beyond Sunday services, churches across the country are actively discipling and reaching out. See what’s working in local churches—from small groups to outreach events—and how your church might grow in impact.
Local churches around Australia are actively discipling and reaching out—are we using every opportunity?
According to the latest NCLS findings, 91% of churches run some form of discipleship activity beyond Sunday worship. Whether it’s through small groups, youth programs, or women’s ministries, churches are nurturing faith beyond the pulpit.
Even more, 78% run regular small Bible study, discussion or prayer groups, and 47% run short-term faith exploration courses like Alpha or Lent studies. Interestingly, Catholic parishes are almost twice as likely to offer short-term groups compared to Protestant churches (79% vs. 43%).
In terms of evangelism, seven in ten churches offer some form of outreach or evangelistic activity. This might look like guest speaker events, community fairs, or courses that invite newcomers to explore faith.
Churches also see themselves as active in four key areas:
- Welcoming new people (80%)
- Witnessing visibly in the community (63%)
- Building relationships in the local area (70%)
- Discipling current and new members (77%)
What could your church do more intentionally?
Sometimes, the most effective way to grow is to invest in what's already working—and extend the invitation to one more person.
More information
Read the research reports for more detailed findings.
