Building community in Canberra

Josh Reading
Jun 8
4 min read

Building Community as Church in Canberra

Making friends and forming community in Canberra can be tough—especially if you're new to the city. While it’s a beautiful and well-planned place, Canberra's transient nature makes it hard for many people to feel settled. With a high population of government, defence, and university workers, people are always coming and going. Housemates rotate. Neighbours change. And meaningful connection? It often feels out of reach.

Building community in Canberra

That’s where the Church steps in.

Church isn’t just a building or a Sunday ritual. It’s a place of connection, where people find belonging and spiritual family—where faith becomes tangible through community.

Why Community Matters

From the very beginning, God designed us for relationship. In Genesis 2:18 (NIV), God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” That truth still rings clear today. We are not meant to do life solo—we are wired for connection.

When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus responded with not one, but two: love God and love your neighbour. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… and love your neighbour as yourself” – Matthew 22:37–39 (NIV). That’s not just about being polite—it’s about deep, authentic love and relationship.

The early Church modelled this beautifully. Acts 2:42–47 (NIV) describes a community that met in homes, shared meals, supported one another, and grew together in faith.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”

This is the kind of community the Church is meant to be.

Canberra’s Unique Challenge

Canberra can feel like life on a treadmill—you’re moving, but never quite getting anywhere relationally. People hesitate to form deeper connections because they (or their friends) might not be here for long. And if you’re new? It can be isolating.

You might have moved for work, study, or a fresh start. Maybe you've tried events or joined groups, only to feel like a stranger in a sea of people. It’s easy to become invisible in a city full of transitions.

But Jesus-centred community is the antidote. It’s in Christ-centred relationships that we find support, encouragement, and genuine belonging.

What Does “Church as Community” Look Like?

At Divergent Church Canberra, we believe that church isn’t just something you attend, it’s community. Yes, our Sunday gatherings are great but real life happens beyond Sunday. We live it out together in our Life Communities and through everyday moments.

Here’s what being Church as community looks like:

1. Being Present

In a busy world, simply showing up matters. Whether it's a Sunday gathering or a Life Community during the week, presence builds trust and connection.

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another.” – Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV)

2. Being Real

Authenticity builds strong community. No one has it all together—and that’s okay. The Church is a place where we can be honest, vulnerable, and open about our struggles.

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” – James 5:16 (NIV)

Healing and growth happen in safe, honest spaces.

3. Welcoming Others

Church should be the most welcoming space on earth. At Divergent, we embrace people from all walks of life—whether you’re questioning faith, returning to church, or completely new.

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” – Romans 15:7 (NIV)

Everyone has a seat at the table.

4. Serving Together

Serving isn’t just about filling a roster—it’s about joining in God’s mission. When we serve together, we grow closer to each other and to Jesus.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Why Divergent Church?

At Divergent Church, we understand how hard it can be to build community in Canberra. That’s why we’re intentional about creating spaces where you’re not just another face—you’re known and loved, both by people and by Jesus.

We’re not about perfection. We’re about being real, building relationships, and following Jesus together. Whether you’re here short-term or long-term, we believe you have a place in our community.

We gather in multiple local churches across Canberra and Queanbeyan every Sunday, and we also meet during the week in Life Communities across the region—including Goulburn. We prioritise people over programs, movement over monuments, and the mission of Jesus over everything else.

If you’re looking for a church in Canberra that’s committed to building genuine, Christ-centred community, Divergent Church is a great place to start.