Anglican evangelical ministry across Qld has a rich history. Rev Jeff Roper came to Brisbane to start a CMS branch at the end of the 1950s, and with the CMS League of Youth, reaped the fruit of the Billy Graham Crusades. There has been faithful evangelical ministry for decades, holding strong in the face of increasing liberalism and at times, significant progressive activism. EFAC in Qld has long been the place for lay people to find their home. There are more lay members than clergy members, which has always been a great blessing. In recent years, the membership of EFAC has grown, and it is hoped this will stimulate even more strategic connection and creative thinking for future Gospel impact.

Following the gradual change within Melbourne Diocese over the last 30 years, my prayer is that there might be similar transformational change across Queensland, and particularly in Brisbane Diocese.

The two dioceses in the country which are at the forefront of the liberal/progressive growth are Perth and Brisbane. While some smaller Dioceses are also liberal/progressive, they don’t have as much influence because of their size. Perth and Brisbane have significant influence.

Queensland has three Dioceses – Brisbane, Rockhampton and North Qld. It is great that for more than a decade, the Bishops of Rockhampton have been evangelical. The Diocese of Nth Qld, while geographically large, has a proportionately small number of parishes. In both Nth Qld and Rockhampton Dioceses, BCA is providing wonderful ministry in many rural and regional areas, and there are great growing evangelical churches in the cities of Cairns and Townsville, including one associated with the Diocese of the Southern Cross.

Here is a more detailed snapshot of the Brisbane Diocese, noting that these figures are as accurate as possible with the information available.

Currently there are 158 active clergy across the Diocese of Brisbane. 23.4% of those would align with the evangelical end of the spectrum. While Diocesan statistics would give a larger number, I estimate the number of parishes in the Diocese to be 117, as many (particularly in the western region) are unviable. 22.2% of those 117 are led by evangelicals.

Both clergy and parish figures are close to 25%, which is encouraging. While one would expect that these figures might equate, evangelical parishes are more likely to have more than one stipended clergyperson, which is the case in at least 3 parishes.

The Diocese is divided into southern, northern and western regions. The Southern Region has the strongest representation with close to 30% of parishes clearly evangelical or led by evangelicals. The Southern Region is also where two churches associated with the Diocese of the Southern Cross began, and both they, and those who chose to remain, are now doing well. The Northern Region used to be stronger than it is now, but due to purposeful attrition of evangelicals over the last 25 years, previously strong evangelical parishes are no longer that. There are currently 5 parishes led by evangelicals which equates to 10% (down from previously 11 parishes which would have been 23%). Due to the smaller number of viable parishes in the Western Region, just over 30% are led by evangelicals.

 It is also significant that there are vacancies in parishes that are seeking a clear evangelical leader (currently approx. 8), and with some retirements in the next couple of years, these figures will change.

These figures should encourage us. Please pray that EFAC across Queensland will continue to shine a light for Godly gospel ministry, that brings many to Christ.

Rev. Lynda Johnson is the Chair of EFAC Qld.