Australian Church History

It was truly a blessing to spend time learning from Pete Tong how the Australian Church has developed over the last 220 years. In just 4 weeks Pete ably led us on an inspirational journey which left us in awe of Christians who went before us.

For me, the course has awakened a thirst to learn more about the great men of faith who have made the Australian church what it is today.

To begin with, we need to thank the Brits – in particular, a group named the Elland Society who included the likes of Charles Simeon & John Newton. These men used their influence and made it their mission to ensure that the first chaplain sent to Australia on the First Fleet be an Evangelical Christian.

Burdened with the overwhelming task of preaching the gospel to a nation of criminals (!!) the first two chaplains, Richard Johnson and Samuel Marsden, were also lumbered with the burdensome role of magistrate for the colony as well – an awkward mix which proved difficult when they had to sentence a man to death one day and then meet with him the next to share the gospel! Despite this, they were known for their compassion. I was particularly moved to learn that on many occasions the Anglican chaplains used the proceeds of their own farms to fund the Christian ministry they were doing, as well as to buy medicines for convicts who couldn’t afford to do so themselves.

We had some woeful bishops and some great ones over the years. One of the best was Rev. Barker (1854-1882) who insisted on evangelicals, rather than high church ministers, coming out of the UK to minister to the colony. Barker set up Moore Theological College, paving the way for sound Bible centred training of Anglican clergy. He also started what we now know as Anglicare.

Over the past 220 years the Aussie church has played a key role in the establishment of schools, hospitals & universities, shaping the fabric of Australian society. This is both something to be proud of and to be humbled by. We have inherited a rich legacy and I wonder whether we are passionate enough to sustain it – or too consumed with our own comforts?

One thing is certain…with less than 10% of Aussies in a Bible-believing church, there is much more work to do.