Abstract
Australian National Church Life Survey(NCLS)findings reveal that a key characteristic of vitality in church life is inspiring and empowering leadership. Drawing from analysis of NCLS 2011 survey data of Victorian Baptists, and a small set of follow-up interviews, this article discusses where Victorian Baptist churches and leaders are at their best in inspiring and empowering people: inspiring the involvement of the whole people of God in ministry and mission; encouraging and giving permission for innovation; inviting participation through identifying, utilising and supporting people’s gifts; welcoming the contribution of different cultures and abilities; and fostering transformation in the direction of the Kingdom of God. There is room for improvement in all these areas, and especially for Victorian Baptists in encouraging the gifts and contributions of members who are younger and newer to church. But where leadership that inspires to action and empowers and mobilises people’s gifts is present, churches are more likely to show health and vitality in a range of areas.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 212-233 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Australian E-Journal of Theology |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2014 |