-
Source: Reuters -
Watch Video
-
Related
The hallmark of a recession is economic uncertainty so ONE News has looked at where New Zealanders are turning to find security in their lives.
And it seems many are flocking to the church, and even the marriage altar.
While for many a recession means losing jobs, for others it's about finding God.
Peter Nicholls Christadelphians believes people are worried about the future and paying the bills.
History has shown major world events are often followed by a spike in church attendance, with 9/11 the most recent example.
But now churches have told ONE News their numbers have been up every Sunday since this recession hit.
The Baptists have probably seen the biggest increase and national leader Rodney McCann says one of his board members predicted the surge in numbers.
"He was saying it for exactly that reason, that at times like this people do look for that help that they normally don't look for," McCann says.
And it's the same for mid-week Bible study courses with 900 people signing up after an ad campaign in January.
The response in New Zealand was 30% greater than when the ads played in Melbourne and Adelaide 18 months ago and that is being attributed to the credit crunch.
"In this world a lot of prices are going up so to have something free you know, if you come to the course, the course notes are free, the Bible is free, you know that's all free. God's message is free to anyone who wants to hear it," Nicholls says.
And while tying the knot is generally an expensive exercise, White Tie Catering in Christchurch is experiencing a huge increase in bookings.
Managing director Tina Duncan believes the turbulent world is leading budding brides and grooms to the altar.
"What we're finding is that in a sort of recession like this that people want to nest so they want to want to create a lovely kind of security bubble around them," Duncan says.
So if it's true that money is the root of all evil, churches are hoping that a shortage of it will bring people closer to God.
Latest NZ News Video
-
Kiwi speaks to TVNZ7 from Everest base camp (1:59)
-
Immigration advisor Bill Milnes discusses claims (4:34)
-
Dance to save Shakti service (0:41)
