Jenan Taylor
23 July 2024
A new evangelism project aims to share Christ’s message where many young people are likely to gather – TikTok, YouTube and other social networks.
The Anglican Parish of St Matthew’s Glenroy and St Linus’ Merlynston hopes its new evangelism project will counter some of the spiritual influence people face from groups and individuals unconnected with the Church.
Titled A Minute with Rev Rob, the project comprises short video clips in which parishioners discuss their Anglican faith and experiences of God with vicar the Reverend Rob Koren.
Mr Koren said the parish wanted to act on Jesus’s commission to baptise people wherever they gathered, and recognised today these included internet platforms.
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He said members decided to pursue evangelism on social network platforms informed by research data about large numbers of young Australians accessing them for their spiritual growth.
According to a 2022 McCrindle report, about 46 per cent of Generation Z Australians turned to TikTok at least once a week for help in their spiritual life.
Mr Koren said the parishioners’ key concern was that people were at risk of being influenced in their spiritual beliefs by inauthentic organisations and individuals.
“Some of the spiritual practices that some people propose on TikTok are dangerous and can lead to depression and anxiety,” Mr Koren said.
“We just want to give an alternate viewpoint that’s centred around our Anglican tradition. An approach that’s not just from someone promoting themselves, but grounded in reality, and Christ-centred.”
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Congregant Ian Mack said he participated to testify how his faith made his life richer and more connected to God and others in the community.
Mr Mack believed it was important Christians were present in the spaces that spiritually curious young people were attracted to, if they wanted them to consider their perspectives.
“If you’re not there, or they don’t hear your voice there, how can they feel that connection, and call of God?” he said.
Mr Mack said he hoped the program would encourage people to go into a real church and see if there was a connection between them and Jesus.
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