First Time to CBC?
Welcome!
This page will provide you with some detailed information about who we are and what we do. We all know visiting a place for the first time may be daunting, so hopefully most of your questions/concerns will be addressed here.
Who are we?
Camden Baptist Church is a member of the Baptist Union of Australia and our church family consists of a wide range of people, all ages and backgrounds. We love to have visitors and you will be assured of a warm welcome. Please let one of our greeters at the front door know that you are visiting so we can make your time with us special. We also have people within the congregation that you can be seated with (if you choose). They are there to answer questions during the service or help you as you may require (e.g., Where are the toilets?).
When you arrive:
- If it is your first visit then it is probably best to come around 5-10 minutes before the service time. If you are driving then there is plenty of free parking and buses stop along the Old Hume Highway. For service times amd directions please see Information.
- You will be greeted on the door by our welcoming team who will give you one of our weekly bulletins.
- If you have children and it is school term time, then they are welcome to join Kids’ Church or stay in the Church with you. Children are a special part of the Church Family. Your "greeter" will gladly help you with this.
Other Questions/Issues
- What do I wear?
- I haven't been to church since I was a child, what can I expect to happen in a service?
- I'm a bit nervous about singing in front of people especially because I won't know the words?
- What is Communion? Will I be expected to be part of it?
- Do I have to give money?
- Do you only operate on a Sunday?
- I have a disability will I still be able to attend a service?
- Do I need to bring a Bible?
What to wear:
Wear what is comfortable for you! There is a wide variety of what people wear to our Church because each person has there own comfort level. We come to worship God, not one another’s clothes.
What to expect:
Going somewhere new can be very challenging, and if you have never been in a church then you may have concerns about how a church service is conducted and what will be involved. It is important to remember that we all had a first time at church (some may remember it better than others)! Here is briefly what to expect at our church services:
- Our Pastor and Worship Leader direct what happens next so everyone knows! We generally start with singing and stand to do this. Don’t worry if you do not know the songs. There are so many songs that most people need the words, so all the words are projected onto a screen. If you don’t want to sing then you don’t have to – no one will mind or even notice.
- We then have announcements about events coming up etc. Often there will be a Bible reading, and possibly some more singing. If you have a Bible then feel free to bring it, if you don't have one then don't worry. If you would like one, please let the door greeter or the Pastor know, or email us and we can send one out to you.
- The “Offering” is where members of the Church Family volunteer to contribute financially to help the Church. Sometimes we also have a special offering for the missions we help to support. It is never expected that visitors will contribute to either of these Offerings, although you can if you wish; you are a guest with us, so please just pass the collection bag onto the next person. Prayers are offered throughout the service so we can focus on talking to God. Prayer is a personal thing and there is no specific way that it is carried out. Feel free to bow your head, close your eyes, or whatever way you best commune with God.
- Our Pastor’s talks are based on the Bible and provide not only something to think about but also some ways of practically applying these lessons in our lives. They can also be quite challenging so feel free to talk to the Pastor at the end of the service or contact him at another time.
- Once a month there is Communion during the service. This is a special part of our service where we take time to think about the sacrifice Jesus made for us. We do this through the symbols of bread (representing Jesus’ body) and wine (representing His blood). We are given some to eat and some to drink, which we do as individuals when we feel ready. Communion is open to everyone to take part or not, but it is important that you understand the significance of these symbols. Feel free to talk to the Pastor if you are unsure. Do not feel awkward or embarrassed if you pass on this, it is a personal decision and everyone serving communion understands this.
- When the morning service finishes we invite you to stay around for some morning tea.
No way! God is with us every moment of our lives. Our church conducts small groups during the week at a variety of times. Check out the Small Groups page to find out more.
Small groups not only provide encouragement and practical support, they help nurture every person’s walk with God – no matter what point you may be on that path. Sometimes for a variety of reasons people feel they would like to start in a Small Group before going to a Church Service. If you think this may apply to you let us know your need and we will help.
Our church also has other programs that any member of the community is invited to attend. We have programs for Boys, Girls, Mums with Pre-schoolers, Seniors and Playtime, as well as Men and Women. Our web site contains information on all these groups and our Events Calendar will let you know “What’s On”.
If you feel the need to talk to someone about your faith journey or other things that may be troubling you please contact us at the church office on 4655 9949. We will endeavour to help you or provide appropriate referrals. We have access to a wonderful network of resources and services.
For those with disabilities:
Our church is wheelchair friendly and we have designated disabled parking spaces near the front door of the church (enter from Pindari Avenue). We also have a hearing loop in the church. If there is something that you need in particular please phone the office before your visit and we will see if we can arrange it for you.
Can we recommend a Bible?
Yes and no! While we can thoroughly recommend the Bible, the version you chose is totally up to you! If you have been confused because you have seen different versions of the Bible or letters like NIV, NLT, CEV, or Life Application Bibles or Devotions Bibles – don’t worry! These are Bibles for different purposes. Some use language that is appropriate for its audience without losing the meaning or intention. Others may contain special notes relevant to their target audience (for example, women, teenagers). Other ones may contain more maps, or historical data or practical application guides.
As it will depend on what suits you it maybe worth reading the same passage in a few different versions to see which one you prefer. You can try this at www.biblegateway.com. If you are buying a bible in a Christian Bookshop, ask for help. The assistants are very good at working out the Bible that will fit your needs and interests.
If you have a Bible then feel free to bring it (no matter the version), if you don't have one then don't worry If you would like one, please let the door greeter or the Pastor know, or email us and we can send one out to you. The church uses the New International Version (NIV) and this seems to be the most common version used by our congregation.
