Church in Post-Sixties New Zealand by Kevin Ward

It is widely accepted that over the past 50 years the church in New Zealand has been experiencing steady and persistent decline. Some have foreseen its virtual demise while most see its influence in society becoming almost insignificant. This book examines how true this narrative is among Protestant churches in New Zealand, and by placing it in the context of other similar western societies, seeks to come to some understanding of the factors which might explain this and what the implications for the future of churches and Christianity might be. It also examines churches which have countered this trend by showing vitality and growth over this period to see what might be learned from them for a more vital Christian presence in the future. Part of the story is told by focussing on the particular stories of four different kinds of churches in Christchurch.