Crowd Church Talks
Series: Origin | What does the Bible say about? | Mark’s Gospel | Alpha Course Online
What If The Flood Story Isn't Just About The Rain (Genesis Part 10)
Dan Orange peels back the familiar children's story to reveal the profound theological depths of Noah's Ark. Far from just animals marching two-by-two, this ancient narrative chronicles God's grief over creation, His divine "de-creation" and the extraordinary faith of one man who built an ark on dry land. Most powerfully, Dan reveals how Noah's story whispers Jesus' name - while Noah saved a few, Jesus became the ultimate ark, sacrificing Himself so all could be saved. A thought-provoking exploration that challenges us: when the world rushes toward a cliff, will we have faith to walk the other way?
When Someone Else Gets The Win (Genesis Part 9)
Ever felt that sting when someone else gets the recognition you wanted? Pete Butland unpacks the story of Cain and Abel to reveal it's not just about murder – it's about our fundamental view of God. Using emergency Christmas presents and unwanted toffee pennies as illustrations, Pete exposes how we often give God our leftovers while keeping the best for ourselves. The real question: do we truly believe God is enough? When we don't, we become like Cain – resentful, bitter, and unable to celebrate others' success. But when we know God's abundance, we can give our best without fear and rejoice when others receive His favour.
Evil Is Not What You Think It Is (Genesis Part 8)
We can tend to either dismiss evil as superstition or distance it as something that happens to "other people". This week, Will Sopwith challenges both perspectives, revealing how evil operates closer to home than we might think. Drawing from Genesis, he unpacks three key components of evil - the pursuit of power, the perversion of good, and the perpetration of pain - while showing how God both judges and limits its impact.
But here's the hope - while evil is real, we're not powerless against it. Through Christ, we have practical ways to resist its influence and participate in God's restoration plan.
Growing Up Is Learning What To Want (Genesis Part 7)
Ever wondered why the things we want most aren't always what's best for us? This week, Jenny Mariner continues unpacking Genesis' wisdom on desire and decision-making, revealing how growing up spiritually isn't about having all the answers – it's about learning to want the right things. Through everyday objects and surprising insights from The Karate Kid, Jenny shows us why God's 'no' might actually be the path to our best 'yes'. From dealing with daily choices to life-changing decisions, discover how ancient wisdom speaks directly into our modern struggle between following our hearts and trusting God's guidance.
Why You Matter More Than Kings (Genesis Part 6)
In a world obsessed with status, Genesis drops a revolutionary bombshell on humanity: you're made in God's image. Not just kings, not just the special few – everyone. Dave Connolly unpacked what this means for us today, moving beyond surface-level selfies to something far deeper. Through stories of starlit skies and pottery wheels, we discovered how bearing God's image isn't about looking like Him, but carrying His essence. The evening sparked rich discussions about human worth, grace versus perfection, and how seeing God's image in everyone could revolutionise our Monday mornings. Because turns out, you matter more than kings – and that changes everything.
When Everything Looks Good But God Says No (Genesis Part 5)
Ever felt torn between what looks good and what God says is good? This week, Jenny Mariner tackled one of the most challenging aspects of faith - those moments when God says no to something that seems perfectly right. Through a fresh look at Genesis, Jenny explored how our culture's "follow your desires" narrative contrasts with God's invitation to deeper trust. From chocolate cake cravings to life-changing decisions, she revealed how God isn't restricting our joy but inviting us into something better. The following discussion got refreshingly real about relationships, power, and what it means to trust God when everything in us wants to say yes.
Can Science And Faith Tell The Same Story? (Genesis Part 4)
Ever wondered if your faith can survive a physics degree? This Sunday, theoretical physicist Josh Edmundson shared his journey from defending young-earth creationism to discovering a richer understanding of both science and scripture. Through university studies and deepening faith, Josh found that Genesis isn't trying to be a scientific textbook - it's answering much deeper questions about who God is and who we are. Joined by molecular biologist Will Sopwith, the conversation explored how both science and faith require humility, and how bringing your questions to God often leads to deeper understanding rather than doubt. A fresh perspective on the age-old debate of whether science and faith can truly coexist.
Why Genesis Changed Everything We Know About God (Genesis Part 3)
What if everything you thought you knew about God came from centuries of tradition rather than what Genesis actually says? This week, Steve Connolly helped us discover how these ancient texts present a radically different picture of God - one that challenged the beliefs of its time and still challenges ours today. From tackling big questions about science and faith to exploring what it means to trust a God we can't fully understand, we discovered why Genesis isn't just another creation story - it's a revolutionary declaration about who God is and what that means for us today.
Did God Design Us To Be Environmental Guardians? (Genesis Part 2)
When it comes to environmental issues, Christians often feel caught between denial and despair. But what if Genesis offers a different perspective altogether? In this service, Matt Edmundson explores God's original design for humanity's relationship with creation. Moving beyond both exploitation and nature worship, Genesis reveals how we're called to be guardians rather than owners. Discover what the Hebrew word for "dominion" really means, why God started Adam with just a garden, and how caring for creation isn't just about following trends - it's about living out our basic human calling as stewards of God's good earth.
Finding Life in the Chaos (Genesis Part 1)
Ever felt like everything's chaos? In our first look at Genesis, Jack Mariner unpacks how God doesn't just show up when everything's sorted - He specialises in bringing life from nothing. From those first mysterious words, "the earth was formless and empty," we discover a God who's always moving, always breathing life into situations that seem hopeless. Whether you're starting 2025 full of hope or barely crawling into the new year, this message reminds us that God isn't finished yet. He's still in the business of bringing order from chaos, still creating something beautiful from nothing.
Who is the Holy Spirit? - Alpha Course 08
Who is the Holy Spirit? This is a great question, especially as Christians believe that He is as much part of the Trinity as God the Father and Jesus, yet He is also the least understood part of the Trinity. Today, John will kick start a two-part mini-series in our Alpha Course, looking at the Holy Spirit.