We are a community of diverse people doing our best to live a life grounded in the love of Jesus and his teachings. We seek to be a positive presence in our workplaces and neighbourhoods, and bring the hope of Christ into our real life. We are formed by the cooperation of the Uniting Church and Church of Christ in Greensborough, with the belief that we can do more for Jesus together than we could apart.
Worship helps us to engage with God’s story of love, challenging us to grow as people. Our relationships with one another help us to go deeper and see the love of Jesus as it has formed and transformed others. Serving helps us to see God’s Spirit at work in the world, and join in with the opportunities to love all people as God has loved us.
Here are some heartfelt words from our church community in early 2024 expressing what they enjoy about being part of Living Faith Church . . .
- “The strong feeling of welcome and acceptance of all”
- “Knowing that we reach out to our local community”
- “Gathering in Life Groups - it is a joy and a support”
- “Knowing we are from different denominational backgrounds yet united in our common love for Our Lord is very powerful”
- “Seeing the compassionate heart for people in need”
- “Being part of a big group and developing friendships”
- “There's a real sense of care”
- “Knowing that people will pray for you if you need it”
- “Worshipping together – Friends, Inclusivity, Social justice, Relaxed atmosphere”
- “Scripture-based services”
- “The reflective and uplifting message that is part of our weekly worship service”
- “Knowing that as a member of this congregation, I am loved, accepted, and upheld in prayer”
- “The interactions and connections between generations”
A short history of the Greensborough Regional Church of Christ
In the early 1960s, the Ivanhoe church (now part of Northern Community Church) felt the need for another church between the Ivanhoe and Hurstbridge churches. For its first few years, the Briar Hill church, as it was then, was an offshoot of the Ivanhoe church, with its finances part of the Ivanhoe budget and a shared ministry and membership.
In 1964, the Ivanhoe church borrowed $7,000 for the land on Lorraine Drive.
On 5th of December 1965, the Briar Hill church's first service and the building's opening occurred. A.B. Withers preached the sermon at the opening service. He was the minister at Northcote, and later provided some pastoral support when the church was between ministerial appointments.
In 1969, another $1,400 and $20,00 were borrowed to build the road and church, respectively.
There were 45 people listed as having membership in the church. Three of them are members today.
One of the members read one of the readings at the first service and at the 21st Anniversary service. Some other current members joined the church very early. As the church grew, it gradually distanced itself from its close ties with Ivanhoe.
In 1969, full independence was achieved, with a membership of about 80 and a full-time minister.
In addition to Ivanhoe, there was support from another 8 churches: Fairfield, Fitzroy North, Hurstbridge, Northcote, Preston, Preston East, Preston West, Thornbury and Reservoir. The furnishing of the original church was financed from funds from the then-defunct Northcote East church.
The initial ministry was from Ed Roffey, the minister at Ivanhoe, with assistance from Barry Jenkins, a student with the College of the Bible.
In 1982, Warren Hamilton was the part-time minister, but soon after, the church moved back to a full-time minister with the assistance of the Conference. Louis van Laar was appointed, and George Warren, separated by a couple of interim ministries, followed him.
In 1982, the building extensions were opened.
In 1998, Pastor Adrian Clark was appointed as a full-time minister.
The Church board was concerned about the church’s future and decided to explore the prospect of establishing co-operation with another church.
In 2003, Adrian spoke with Rev. Lynden Broadstock, the Greensborough Uniting Church minister, and raised the issue of establishing a cooperating church.
A short history of the Greensborough Uniting Church
The Greensborough congregation was a Methodist Church established in 1850.
A group of people met at Mr. James Mayger’s property in Greensborough to establish a Methodist congregation in the area.
In 1859, the barn was the worship centre where the Church first met and worshipped. A weatherboard building was built on Hailes Street, but it was demolished when the railway line was built.
In 1872, a brick Church was built on Main Street where it remained in use until 1966, when the church relocated to its present site at 37 Grimshaw Street, Greensborough.
The buildings were officially opened on 5th February 1966.
In 1972, the church became a UNITED Church when the local Presbyterian Church, St. David’s, joined.
In 1977, the church became part of The Uniting Church in Australia at Union.
In 1989, the Church, led by Rev. Peter Robson, was instrumental in founding The Greensborough Inter Church Council.
In 2003, Rev. Lynden Broadstock presented the idea of co-operation with the Greensborough Regional Church of Christ.
In 2004, the Church was renovated and upgraded to facilitate the use of the building by people with disabilities.
Conversations were started with the Church of Christ about the possibility of forming co-operation. The congregation at all age levels were involved in discussions about how they felt about the idea.
Anyone who was interested was invited to a series of workshops with the Church of Christ congregation to work out an agreement that could be put to both Congregations. Every aspect of Church life was discussed.
We worshipped together on a few planned occasions at both the Uniting Church in Australia site and the Church of Christ site, so that people would get to know one another.
After three years of discussions and negotiations, the decision was made to join together as a co-operating church,
In June 2006, both churches met together at Grimshaw Street as one congregation.
The Church of Christ property in Briar Hill was sold.
The slogan, “We can do more together for the mission of Jesus than we can do apart”, was adopted.
A one-day seminar was held, inviting anyone who wanted to attend, to work out our CORE VALUES.
Living Faith Church was formed
In 2012, everyone was involved in all deliberations to arrive at a consensus on all issues.
The congregation, Church of Christ Conference and the Uniting Church in Australia Presbytery of Yarra Yarra ratified our Co-operating agreement.
Deliberations took place about a name for our Church.
“Living Faith Church. The Uniting Church and Church of Christ in Greensborough” was the name chosen by popular vote.
We operate as ONE Congregation with ONE Church Council of Elders, ONE Uniting Church in Australia minister and ONE Church of Christ minister. We operate ONE bank account but support both denominations through Presbytery Mission & Service Fund and Church of Christ Affiliation Fund.