Education and the Church
Australia is becoming an increasingly educated nation (2006 national census). The 2006 National Church Life Survey results show that church attenders are also becoming more educated. But how do the two compare? How educated are church attenders in comparison to the nation, and what impact can this have on church ministry?
Australians more educated than before
More Australians attend school and university than previously. In 2006, 84% of 16 year olds living in Australia were attending school, compared to less than half in 1971. Similarly each successive generation is more likely than the last to have completed school, and more likely to have a tertiary qualification. This has led to Generation X and Y being the most highly educated generations on record.
One driving factor for this increase is that education is now more than ever intrinsically tied to employment. Changes in the labour market have resulted in fewer opportunities for those who have not completed year 12. This is likely to be one source of motivation for increasing levels of education.
Amidst this change there has also been a narrowing of the gender divide, as a higher proportion of women in each successive generation have achieved a non-school qualification. For example, men aged over 80 years are almost three times more likely than women to have obtained a non-school qualification; however for those aged 20-39 men and women were equally as likely to be in this category. (A Picture of the Nation, 2009).
Church attenders more educated than before
In alignment with the national trends, National Church Life Surveys show that the church is also becoming more educated over time. In 2001 23% of adult church attenders had a university degree. By 2006 this had increased to 27%. Similarly the percentage of those with no non-school qualifications has decreased from 55% in 2001 to 50% in 2006.
Church attenders more educated than wider community
Church attenders are more highly educated than the nation as a whole. In 2006 27% of adult church attenders had completed a university degree, whereas only 16% of the population of Australia has completed a degree at the same level. This difference in education levels between church and the nation is also seen in those who have completed a trade certificate, diploma or associate diploma (Australia 27%; church attenders 23%). Further, there are fewer church attenders who only have school qualifications (Australia: 55%; church attenders 50%). It is worth noting that while younger generations are more likely to be highly educated, and even though the church has an older age profile, the church still attains higher education levels than the national average.
What does this mean for ministry in churches?
The Australian church is more educated than an already educated nation. What does this mean for ministry? First, the church must be able to specifically relate to a highly educated population. The proportion of university graduates has been increasing for decades and this trend shows no sign of slowing. The church must become adept at ministering to them. University graduates have unique characteristics that when catered for can result in increased effectiveness to this expanding section of society.
These important results could also risk distracting the church from another important concern. The fact that the church is already educated higher than the nation as a whole spotlights a gap in the demographics of the church, i.e. those who are not university graduates. Historically, much of the church in Australia has struggled to reach blue-collar workers, and those with less education. This should be seen as an ongoing challenge for churches, even while education levels are slowly increasing. In an era of the rise of graduates it is important that this section of society is not forgotten.
About University Graduates:
University Graduates (as compared to the population average):
- Have some of the highest incomes among Australians
- Are more likely to be employed
- Are more likely to be busy
- Are more likely to work more than 40 hours per week.
- Are more likely to be involved in a range of community groups, including business, school and educational cultural, social justice and environmental groups when compared to the wider population. Therefore they are more likely to be significantly involved in their wider community.
- Are more likely to be involved in leisure activities such as dining out, movies, parties, concerts and outdoor activities other than sport.
- Have a higher confidence in science than the population in general.
University graduates are busy, but motivated, involved in their community, and have an active social life. They do not shy away from group participation and can be keenly interested in spirituality. This group values contemporary services and churches where issues of daily life are discussed. They like their church modern, and relevant. These preferences do reflect the younger age grouping of this category.
Source: Profiling Australians: Social and Religious Characteristics of the Population, (2003), NCLS Research.
In Conclusion:
- More Australians attend school and university than previously
- Churches need to value education as part of the path of development for attenders
- Older generations have gained knowledge and experience in different ways to younger generations, who have highest levels of tertiary education in Australia’s history.
- Churches need to communicate / teach in a way that connects with a range of levels of education
- There remains a gap between church attenders and the wider community.
- Churches need to continue to find ways to relate to the majority of society who are not educated at tertiary levels.
Bibliography:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics, ‘2070.0 - A Picture of the Nation: the Statistician's Report on the 2006 Census, 2006’, 2009
- 2001 Attender Survey, [computer file], 2001 National Church Life Survey, NCLS Research, Sydney.
- 2006 Attender Survey, [computer file], 2006 National Church Life Survey, NCLS Research, Sydney.
- Bellamy, J and Kaldor, P., 2002 Initial Impressions 2001, Adelaide: Openbook.
- Bellamy, J; Castle, K; Kaldor, P; Black, A; Hughes, P; and Secker, N., 2003 Profiling Australians: Social and Religious Characteristics of the Population, Adelaide: Openbook.