Teresa Neumann (February 27, 2008)
Veteran church planter gives 7 reasons why. One has to do with equipping and releasing youth. "In Iraq today, 19-year-old soldiers lead squads of 48 men. They are trusted to fight battles for us. Yet we won't let people that age preach in our pulpits until they are 'proven.' Something is wrong with that."
As one example, Grady uses missionaries Jack and Carol Hanes, currently pastors of Penrith Christian Life Centre near Sydney, who moved to Australia in 1987 knowing that the Christian population in the country at the time was tiny. Says Grady: "They soon learned that if they were to be successful in this very secular society they would have to modify their American style and do things the Aussie way," which he adds, is an out-of-the-box approach to church.
Today, notes Grady, Jack Hanes is the director of missions for the Assemblies of God (AOG) in Australia, planting one new church every four days in the country. Hanes' own church has grown to 2,000 members in 21 years; Hillsong Church (an AOG affiliate) has a membership of 20,000.
Hanes gave seven reasons why churches in Australia are growing:
1. Christians aren't religious
2. They have a wild, daring spirit
3. They are aggressive about church planting.
4. Their worship is fresh and vibrant.
5. They give sacrificially.
6. They focus on youth.
7. They release their women.
To read Hanes' assessment of the growth of God's Kingdom in the Land Down Under in detail, follow the link provided.
Source: J. Lee Grady - Faith News
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