Gary Rucci
Lead Catalyst – Micro Movements Australia
Insights into Australia’s Growing Microchurches
Across every state in Australia there is a grassroots movement of microchurches emerging.
Like blades of grass in a Queensland lawn during summer, they are increasing in number and size daily.
While the exact number of microchurches in Australia remains unknown – and may never be known – what we do see mirrors that which is happening in the USA, they are growing at an exponential rate. A recent survey by Exponential USA, covering 20 microchurch networks, revealed 504 of the 1,076 microchurches represented were planted in the last three years!
It’s been well documented, the church in Australia was disrupted by the global pandemic during 2020. Some churches emerged stronger, however irrespective of denomination, the majority were either detrimentally affected, in decline, or decimated by the events that occurred. Amid the disruption, innovation emerged. Leaders began to ask a new set of questions about the future of the local church.
Driven by a determination to make disciples, microchurches started to spring up everywhere! Leaders began to experiment with different ways to reach people with the gospel.
Microchurches can be described as small, Jesus-centred communities of disciples, who are empowered by the Spirit, compelled by the love of God, and driven by His mission to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel in relevant ways to their local area. They are diverse and contextual by nature.
The following is a brief summary of some things we are observing about the microchurch movement here in Australia.
First, the label is not important. Call them microchurches, simple churches, house churches, café churches, messy churches, or missional communities, it doesn’t really matter, they are all marked by the same passion for Jesus and His mission.
Second, making disciples is not an aspiration, a vision strapline, or a program. It is their purpose, their passion, and their measurement of ‘success’. While they are zealous in evangelism, they remain compassionate in their witness, incarnating Jesus in tangible ways to their neighbourhood. They believe God’s Kingdom is extended when they see everyday irreligious Aussies embrace the gospel, surrender to Jesus as their Lord and King, commit to baptism, and become disciple makers.
Third, there are very few spectators in microchurches. The majority are involved and mobilised. Microchurches create an environment of relational accountability. The ecclesial minimums of worship, community and mission are constantly practiced and reinforced. Everyone is encouraged to live wholeheartedly for Jesus, to love each other, and to reach out to their neighbours and workmates with the gospel.
Fourth, they are frugal, adaptive and innovative. They don’t need a lot of money or resources, and they can adjust and pivot according to the people they are discipling. Microchurches adapt to the rhythm and routine of their faith community without being weighed down by buildings, structures, and programs.
Fifth, microchurches usually seek to ‘scale out’ rather than ‘scale up’. Some microchurches develop and establish themselves as larger churches, but most of them seek to ‘multiply’ rather than ‘grow’. Their apostolic DNA compels them to develop and send leaders out to do likewise, rather than retain them to establish a larger congregation in one location.
Finally, and significantly, several denominations in Australia have adjusted their ecclesiology and validated smaller expressions of church. In the process, new opportunities for leadership development, church planting, and church revitalization have been created. This recognition is mutually beneficial for microchurch practitioners as they remain connected to the wider Body of Christ, access resources, and retain vital relationships.
Microchurches are an exciting addition to the Australian ‘churchscape’. Let’s pray for God to continue to call people into His harvest and to bring people into His Kingdom.
