There are plenty of reasons for this, including the Millennial generation putting off milestones their reluctance to attach themselves to institutions, be they churches or political parties and their general support of marriage equality and gay and transgender rights clashing with some attitudes enshrined in institutionalised religion. Nearly half (47 per cent) of respondents aged between 20 and 34 identified as ‘No Religion’, compared with just 16 per cent of those aged 65 and up. Young people, in particular, were less likely to identify with any one faith. And New Zealand’s not exempt from the fall in faith: the 2013 census showed a 5.5 per cent drop in religious affiliation since 2006. As difficult as it is to measure belief, there’s global evidence that religious affiliation is declining, and the churches and traditions that played pivotal roles in shaping Western culture and society are losing their relevance. It’s a hard sell in a world where religion has increasingly higher buy-in. I personally believe we’re all designed to have a relationship with God it’s just a case of finding that it makes a difference.” “I think what resonates with people is that Jesus offers real answers to real-life problems.
… Arise is part of a solution that’s making church accessible and fun and relevant.” There’s no lecturing, she agrees, and rolls her eyes: “You get enough of that from everyone.”Ī Sunday service at Arise Church Photo: Elle Hunt / The WirelessĪrise’s medium might not be traditional, but it’s “the same Christian message – just in a vibrant and engaging way that’s going to help young people’s lives”, says Cameron. What John’s saying on stage, that’s how he lives his life. It’s honest if people say something, they really mean it. A blunt-bob-era Jessie J-lookalike, wearing fuchsia lipstick and a leather jacket, she met her now-husband at Arise.
“If you feel a connection to God, or you don’t and you feel like He could be an important part of your life, I guess that’s the number-one reason anyone would attend a church,” says Anna Chisholm, 26, who has been a part of the church for close to a decade. There are plenty of places young people can go to listen to loud music with their friends that aren’t church.
God works in mysterious ways, and many of them demand a multi-plug.Ĭameron’s upfront about it being a bid to make the Christian faith relevant and accessible to younger generations, but says it’s not the show that re sonates with Arise’s 10,000-strong congregation, many of whom are under 35. There are volunteers to guide you to a car park and a seat in the stadium a 14-piece band, featuring seven enviably confident and well-dressed young singers a camera crew, a smoke machine, a big screen. It’s hard at times – like a five-minute tangent when Cameron pulls a pastor on stage for an impromptu rendition of the Frozen theme – to pinpoint just how and where the Bible fits into this slick, enormous production. An Arise service is part rock concert, part variety show, part stand-up gig (“To quote from Bruce Almighty…”). “Sermon” may not even be the right word for it. We’re sitting in a changing room at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua, which is serving as a makeshift green room – complete with a rider of Phoenix juices and scented candles – before Cameron takes to the stage to give his sermon as lead pastor of Arise Church. Out of that, faith became personal for me.”īut that service was “nothing like this”, Cameron agrees, nodding his head towards the source of thumping bass on the other side of the wall. I was connecting with God, I felt His presence, and I felt that was what was missing. John Cameron, founder of Arise Church Photo: Supplied