chocciecake

we lived here 13 years ago for a while and tried a few churches- came across many we disliked and found one that was ok, but we still didn't really dig it.

we have tried that church again, when we came back this time and gone 4 or 5 times, but looking around, i don't really see many people our age to be friends with, and its not really that thrilling anyway...not many people have gone ut of their way to greet us, other than the friendly oldies, but i was rather hoping some young couples would bother being friendly...we have gone out of our way to hang around and try talking to people.
we want a vibrant, up to date church, but not a happy clappy, everyone falls over all the time type, if you know what i mean!

but on the flip side, certainly not an old fashioned type...
preferably with lots of young families in it too!

we will travel anywhere on the gold coast to attend a good church, and will give most denominations a try if they are christian....

anyone have any good experiences? (or any ones to avoid? brief description please!)

Deancm

That's because Australia is not a religious country. People under 50 stopped believing in fairies.

chocciecake

thanks for the insult,deancm, thats really makes me feel at home and welcome on british expats...
i assume deancm, that you have no constructive suggestions here?
as i am over 18 and entitled to making up my own mind in what i believe , i don't need to be insulted!
if you have nothing constructive to add here, please don't reply, as i'm not looking to be made to feel insulted, belittled, or made fun of, on here...this is supposed to be a forum for support for people starting a new life in australia...

i shouldn't have to worry each time i post a topic that i am going to be insulted by people with nothing better to do than make trouble....

Deancm

Touchy! I wasn't insulting you, just stating a fact. Australia is not a religous country and if you want to join a church to meet people then good luck to you. I am sure you will enjoy spending your time with your 80 year old friends.

If religion is important to you maybe you would have been better moving to the bible belt of the US because Australia is definitely the wrong place to be.

kooga

And there was me thinking that Church was all about listening to a preacher preach a few sermons. Does it matter what the church is like? surely its between you and god, and not about entertainment value?

Sorry if i sound harsh it just seems like you are more interested in socialising rather than worship

moneypenny20

From what I understand from friends who are church goers, there is as much importance placed on worshippers being happy and making friends as the actual worship part of it. Many people, non believers included, find fantastic friends and a vibrant social circle at the local church.

The OP was asking people in the know about such a church, they were not asking if anyone approved of their beliefs. On such a topic I suggest if you (general) don't have an informative response you stay away from the thread.

To the OP, there is a church down this end of the coast that seems to have a young feel to it, they recently did a women's pamper evening for a gold coin donation and they also have a play group attached.

Just tried to find it but can't. If you PM 'Shiels' she may have more info, or can find out, I know her neighbour is a member of the church.

I also found this whilst searching. They are in Ormeau and they say the whole family will enjoy, whether it's what you're looking for I don't know

RenShen

Hello Choc,

My husband and the kids are catholic and have recently started going to the church attached to Assisi College in Coomera. Only been a couple of times but they seem to like it and I imagine that, being attached to a school, there might be more of a sense of community there. Perhaps you could give that a try. I have also heard good reports of the Catholic church at Runaway Bay.

From a completely non religious person who is happy for her husband and family to find enjoyment in going to church, I hope you find somewhere where you can enjoy your worship xx

And to anyone that feels the need to throw in a joke here about Catholics, priests or altar boys, keep it to yourself mate please. I am so over all that.

chocciecake

thankyou for the helpful suggestions moneypenny and renshen!

i don't know why my motives are being questioned about why i attend church?
i don't think it is anyone elses business, but i do care if my children have people of their own ages to make friends with, as i'm sure any parents would be, when they join a group of people...
just as i would also like to make friends too....there is nothing wrong with that, and seeing i believe that i can worship god in ANY church, then i may as well find a place that suits our family...

nice to see that anywhere you go there is always a percentage of people who are helpful, although it is a shame to see there are others out there who want to attack and degrade others,purely because they hold different beliefs....

last time i checked, australia was a free country, and i had religious freedom.
i also have the legal right to attend a church purely as a social thing too, although that is not my sole reason.

it is also good to find real people to hang out and be friends with, so you don't get bitter and spend your time on online forums writing inflammatory posts and goading people

oh, and for your reference deancm , regarding australia not being a religious country...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-paci...0188.stm#facts

* Full name: Commonwealth of Australia
* Population: 21 million (UN, 2008)
* Capital: Canberra
* Largest city: Sydney
* Area: 7.7 million sq km (2.9 million sq miles)
* Major language: English
* Major religion: Christianity
* Life expectancy: 79 years (men), 84 years (women) (UN)
* Monetary unit: 1 Australian dollar = 100 cents
* Main exports: Ores and metals; wool, food and live animals; fuels, transport machinery and equipment
* GNI per capita: US $35,960 (World Bank, 2007)
* Internet domain: .au
* International dialling code: +61

Broad Shoulders

So there Dean!

chocciecake

yep dean, you are in the minority....
in the last census, (2006) 64 % of australians called themselves christians of varying denominations, and only 19% stated themselves as no religion, so sorry to say, maybe you have moved to the wrong country???

don't need the bible belt of the us, when the soul train is choofing right by your front door..toot toot!
hallelujah

Deancm

It may be a Christian country but how many are actually practising? There's a big difference to being christened a christian and actually practising it.

Your stats prove nothing.

Deancm

WTF has any of those stats got to do with the amount of Australians that practice religion? Methinks your brain has been lobotomised with all that brainwashing...

Geelong Gent

Ironically there are more mosques being built than churches. Probably because they have higher percentage of practising turning up rather than turning the cheek.

Now seriously " what do nuns wear under those garments"

chocciecake

i'm not trying to prove anything.
you said australia is not a religious country, and people don't believe in god...
you can think whatever you want, but people freely responded in the census saying that they did believe in god, so you are incorrect in your statement.
believing in god, has nothing to do with whether you go to church or not...
my brother never goes to church, doesn't like it, but believes in god,just as strongly as i do.
last i checked, church attendence had nothing to do with beliefs...


now, onto those jokes.....

i heard them all at school, but am struggling to remember all the different ones and their punch lines....

maybe its because i've grown up, and forgotten them!
but you boys can carry on with your belittling and bullying behaviour and jokes, as all the grown ups have better things to do with their time, than barge in on peoples genuine threads, and show their nature for what it truly is....

Deancm

I was christened Protestant. On the census I state that I am a christian because that's what I was christened. Do I practice, do I believe in God? Do I f ***!

Most people in Australia are Christian and most people will say that they are because that is what they have known since they were a kid. Ask them if they believe in God and I think you will hear a completely different story.

As GG mentioned, the major practicing religion in Australia now is probably Islam. Even polygamy has been legalised for them.