But then April 15 was no ordinary Sunday. This was the 10th birthday of Tamworth’s C3 Church.

C3 stands for Christian City Church, which had its birth in Sydney in 1980.

Ten years ago, Brian and Annette Bernays were called to leave C3 at Byron Bay and plant a new church in Tamworth, and the enthusiastic crowd on Sunday morning are glad they did.

Long time member, Heidi Browne coordinates the children’s ministry.

“It’s very much a family church, she says.

“It’s not just that we have a lot of families, but that the whole church feels like one big family. We are committed to each other and we embrace new people who come in.”

The family-ness shows too in the way the church members take responsibility for the work of the church, not just on Sunday, but everyday. C3 has a vigorous program of helping outsiders in beautiful ways.

Last year, each family was given a basket to take home. Each week they would add an item, a toy, a food package, a Christmas present.

Then, in December, they invited needy people to a big barbecue lunch and concert and presented each family with a hamper, lovingly packed by a member of the church.

Jon Gourlay is in charge of pastoral care. He joined C3 because he saw in it, “a place where our family could grow together. We came on a visit and were moved by the wonderful people, the worship and the teaching.

But it’s not just taught, it's lived out.

This is a community of different people who have been on a different journey.

Many have been liberated from all sorts of things, but we all come together to worship God.”

During Sunday’s service, Jon made a presentation to Brian and Annette and thanked them on behalf of the congregation for 10 years of faithful service.

Then there was a moving moment as members of the church came to the front and laid hands on their pastors and prayed that God would overflow them with His love for the next season.

Acting mayor, Helen Tickle also brought a message of encouragement from Tamworth Regional Council and thanked the church for the work it has done for the city.

C3 Church meets at 10am every Sunday at 204 Duri Road, just on the edge of town.

Visitors are always welcome.

They also run a children’s church, youth group, financial counselling, hospitality, pastoral care and a host of events and a quirky website at http://c3tamworth.org.au.