Why we gather
From the earliest days of the Christian movement, followers of Jesus kept gathering often at great cost, facing persecution, risking imprisonment, torture and death. They could have kept faith private, but they understood something central: Jesus came not only to reconcile individuals to God, but to restore his family.
That is what a church is. Not a building, but a worshipping community of imperfect and even dysfunctional people. And it is within this community that God shapes us. The church is God's recovery community!
Our Sunday church services are open to all people. Everyone is invited. Whether you believe or not, you will find our environment friendly, accessible and relaxed.
Our services are a great context to begin to explore your relationship with God. Even if you are just curious, come along and see what millions of people all over the world are on about.
First time ever, or first time in a long time?
We'd love to have you join us this Sunday.
You may not know if church is for you. Maybe you are just curious. Or maybe you feel it's time to lean in a little to the growing sense that God is trying to get your attention.
Wherever you are at, our Sunday services are public and for you. You can be entirely anonymous, with no expectation to participate, follow protocols, or dress a certain way. Seriously, just come as you are.
If you want to connect a bit deeper, our host team are nearby to help you meet people. Or make your way to our Connect Lounge to grab a free coffee and meet others who are also coming for the first time.
Locations
Coming to church?
What to expect
Arrive from the car park and make your way into the venue. One of our team will be there to welcome people as they arrive. They are here to help and direct you to anything you need assistance with.
From there, make your way into the auditorium and grab a seat.
Coming with kids? We run kids programs during the service. If you'd like them to join in, check them in at one of the kiosks in the entry foyer. Our kids team can help you register and answer any questions.
You can sit anywhere you like in the seating areas. It is fairly obvious and self-explanatory, so there is no special protocol to follow or right place to be.
A bit of movement and noise is normal during the service as families settle kids, people arrive, and others step in and out when they need to.
If your picture of church is a room so quiet you can hear a pin drop, that's not us. It feels much more like a family gathering.
Format Of The Service
Our services are for everyone, wherever you are on your faith journey, even if you are not sure you have one. You may have experienced churches that feel formal or require you to know certain traditions, patterns or protocols. That’s not us. There’s nothing you need to know before you come.
What you will find is the messiness of a family atmosphere, with people from different walks of life and age groups gathering together. Music is a key part of the service, along with prayer and teaching, all designed to help you discover a God who is trying to get your attention, inviting you in, and creating opportunities to respond.
That response is always an invitation. Nobody expects you to do anything, and it is a personal choice how much you want to lean in.
Kids Programs
Every Sunday we run our Kids Church programs alongside each service. Kids Church provides children with an age-appropriate opportunity to engage in church, learn about Jesus, and participate in worship through story and song.
Babies & Toddlers
A gentle care space with parents nearby, songs and play for the littlest.
Preschoolers
Active play, Bible story time and craft tailored for little explorers.
Primary Kids
Worship, age-appropriate teaching, group games and team activities.
Ways to Connect
Connect Lounge
At our Barrabool Hills morning service we run a Connect Lounge as the first port of call for anyone wanting to meet our team.
Post-Service Cafe
Coffee, snacks and somewhere to land after the service — the easiest place to bump into someone and stay a while.
Questions?
Will I fit in?
New people come in all the time, so being here for your first time won't mean you'll stick out.
You'll find us as just fairly normal people, crossing different cultures and at different stages of life and faith journey — including many who are just dipping their toe in the water searching for God.
You'll fit in. It's really up to you how much you want to lean in.
Can I leave early?
During the service, there's nothing awkward about leaving early if you need to.
There is always some movement of people in and out, so feel free to move around, find a different seat, stand at the back or watch the service on the screens in the foyer if that is more comfortable.
Are people friendly?
You'll always feel welcome and hopefully in a place that somehow feels like home even if you've never stepped foot in a church before.
Our host team are also looking out for people who look like they need some help. And our Connect Lounge is open after the service to make it easy to lean in a bit more.
You won't find an overbearing, well-oiled and artificial welcoming machine. We think you'll find real people, who are warm and glad to have you around.
Are there any differences between campuses?
Aside from location, the number of people creates a different vibe.
Barrabool Hills is our largest campus, typically with around 500 people at the morning service. Moolap is a bit smaller and a little quieter, which some people prefer.
Is there anything I need to know to participate in the service?
There's really nothing you need to do other than arrive and grab a seat. You can participate, stand up, sit down or just observe and you won't look out of place.