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Before you visit
First-time visitors to CCK are always very welcome. We hope you'll enjoy the Sunday meeting and feel comfortable to observe or participate as much as you wish.
Visitors can range from people who have never before darkened the door of a church building to those who regularly attend another, with all shades of variation in between. Whatever your situation, please be assured that we are glad to see you - our goal is to do whatever we can to make your visit one that you’ll want to repeat.
Everyone is welcome at morning or evening meetings.
The essential headlines:
In the morning, the 10am congregation comprises families, singles, youth, those in their crowning years and lots of visitors, too. There is a full children’s programme, complete with crèche facilities and a baby room.
And at 6.30pm, the style of the meeting reflects the large numbers of students who attend, but once again, anyone is welcome. It’s possible the music will be a little louder after dark. We don’t provide a children’s programme in the evening.
Even if it’s a while since you’ve been to church, please feel able to come along just to see – there are no set rules about what joining in or standing up at particular times.
We know there’s already enough you have to think about when you’re visiting a church for the first time and we hope that all the information here encourages you to join with us next Sunday.
What happens at a Sunday meeting?
Entering through the main doors, you should be greeted by a member of our welcome team, and given a copy of the weekly Life@CCK sheet, which carries information about church activities.
Proceeding up the main staircase, the route to the auditorium leads up more stairs to the left and right. There’s also a lift, situated through the double doors to the left of the Lounge area.
At the doors to the main auditorium, you will be greeted again by another steward, who will be willing to show you to a seat; again there is a choice - either a comfortable, cushioned chair or a seat on the padded bleachers (raked benches), most of which provide a good clear view of the platform.
Toilet facilities are on the first floor.
The main event
The meeting will be called to order, and then we'll spend a while singing modern, lively praise and worship songs, led by a gifted band and perhaps a choir as well. The words of the songs will appear on the large screens, and also on TV monitors for those sitting towards the sides of the room.
After the worship time, there is usually a brief interlude for the announcement of news about members of the church and details of forthcoming events. There may also be one or two testimonies giving thanks to God for his intervention in our lives.
Giving to the Offering is part of our worship, participating in providing for the financial needs of the church. However, we do not expect visitors to make any contribution to this; please let the bowl pass you by without embarrassment.
Please take a copy of the This is CCK leaflet which will be passed to you with the offering bowls. This will provide more general information about the church, and also contains a sheet for you to complete if you live locally, so that we can contact you and ask if there is any way in which we can serve you. You may hand in the completed form at the Information Point on the ground floor after the meeting, or put it in the red box marked Welcome, which is by the main front doors. Alternatively, you could complete it at your leisure and post it to the church office at the address given on the form.
Bible-based, lively teaching
After a few minutes break, the meeting continues with a time of teaching, where one of the leadership team (or someone invited by them) will preach from the Bible in a way that is inspiring, instructive and edifying, explaining the depth and wonder of the good news of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Word of God. Most preachers will display their main points and Bible references on the big screens, and the main Bible passage is usually written out in full as well. We tend to use one of the modern translations of the Bible (English Standard Version is current favourite).
The preaching lasts for up to one hour. This may sound a little daunting, but many visitors have said that they felt as if God was speaking directly to them during the sermon, and they didn't really notice the time passing.
After the talk, there may be an opportunity to respond (directed from the platform) and then the meeting will be closed, perhaps with more worship. By then it’ll be about noon, and the children will be ready for collection from their various classrooms and everyone is invited to stay for coffee in the Lounge area on the ground floor.
What’s different about Sunday evening meetings?
We don’t provide a children’s programme in the evening, and the order in which the elements of the meeting take place is slightly amended. There’ll be a short time of lively modern songs, followed by the announcement and then the offering (once again, please be assured that we don’t expect visitors to contribute financially). Following this will be the teaching time, and then in response to this, worshipful songs led by the quality band. We expect to finish at about 8.30pm, when coffee is served in the Lounge.
Welcome Lounge
Following this, the Welcome Lounge will be open. This is at the foot of the main stairs, in the area on the right of the doors, where light refreshments are available.
Here you can speak to a church member and ask any questions you may have, request any help you need, or discover more about our small groups. Here you can also find out about joining the church, enrolling on the Alpha course, enquire about our children's work, and lots more.
If time constraints prevent you from taking a few minutes in the Welcome Lounge, please visit this area on another visit.
Directions to Clarendon Centre
Kids & Youth
Example Sermons
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Wonderful music, excellent teaching and superb fellowship, all in the presence of God!
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