The missing 70% - Coz Crosscombe, Andrew Beddo and Simon Gillham

Reaching the 70% of the population who are significantly underrepresented in our churches.

We’re talking about everyday Australians — people who’ve gone straight into the workforce rather than university. That includes hairdressers, plumbers, builders, business owners, factory workers, truck drivers, IT staff, and media creatives — as well as many in marginalised communities.

Within this group, there’s huge diversity:

• Some are winners — financially successful builders and entrepreneurs.
• Others are respectables — valuing hard work, morals, and family.
• Some are survivors — juggling multiple jobs and doing it tough.
• And there are those living in hard places — facing struggles with welfare, addiction, and family stress.

Yet while this group represents the majority of Australians, they make up only a small minority in our churches. Why is that? And how can we do better?

• Andrew Beddo — principal trainer at the Vocational Bible College, equipping gospel workers for everyday Australians.
• Coz Crosscombe — director of The Well Training Program at Mount Druitt, focused on training leaders from marginalised communities.
• Simon Gillham — vice principal at Moore Theological College, working on cross-cultural and literacy challenges in ministry.

We discuss why this group is missing from many of our congregations, the cultural and learning barriers they face, and how we can shape ministry, training, and preaching to better reach them with the good news of Jesus.

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