Church, But Different
Where you can belong before you believe, right from your sofa.
Finding Meaning Together
Life’s big questions rarely come with simple answers. Whether you’re climbing the career ladder, settling into a new city, or just trying to figure out what really matters — we’re all on a quest for a meaningful life. That’s why Crowd exists.
We started as a tiny church plant in Liverpool city centre back in 2019, dreaming of creating a space where people could explore faith honestly. Then 2020 happened. Like everyone else, we moved online — but something unexpected happened. We fell in love with it. The digital space opened up new ways to have real conversations about faith, life, and everything in between.
Now we’ve evolved into an online church. Every Sunday evening, you’ll find us broadcasting from Liverpool, building genuine community with people joining us online from their sofas across the globe. It’s a bit different, sure, but then again, so was Jesus.
We’re not about smoke machines or scripted speeches. No perfectly polished presentations or pressure to have it all figured out. Just real people having honest conversations about Jesus and what He means for our lives today.
“Jesus isn’t just a historical figure or a Sunday morning ritual. He’s the key to that meaningful life we’re all searching for. And exploring that? Well, it’s better done together.”
On the doorstep of Gladstone for our very first church meeting in 2019.
Going online in COVID when we all had long hair.
Built for the online world
We’ve built everything — from our Sunday gatherings to our small groups — for online community. Whether you’re joining us from your sofa in Liverpool or your kitchen table in Sydney, you’re equally part of what God’s doing here.
Because church isn’t about a building — it’s about people discovering Jesus together. And in the digital age, that can happen anywhere, anytime, with anyone.
Our Vision: The Story We’re Writing
You know those moments when church feels more like a production than a family? Or when faith seems disconnected from real life? Yeah, we’re changing that story.
We see a future where authentic faith meets real life. Where someone can log in from a sofa in Liverpool or a laptop in Lagos and find the same thing: genuine community, meaningful conversations about Jesus, and space to grow.
We dream of being a church where:
- Questions are as welcome as answers
- Faith and daily life naturally connect
- Technology brings people together rather than keeping them apart
- Both seasoned believers and spiritual explorers feel at home
- The Bible comes alive in ways that actually make sense
- Community happens naturally, wherever in the world you're logging in from
But here’s the thing — this isn’t just our story. It’s being written by every person who shows up on a Sunday, every question asked in Conversation Street, every “me too” moment in small groups, and every life changed by encountering Jesus.
Because we believe church should be less about putting on a show and more about making space for God to show up. Less about having it all figured out and more about figuring it out together.
Meet the Leadership Team
The people behind Crowd
Behind every livestream is a brilliant team of people who give their time, gifts and heart to make Crowd happen — week in, week out.
Matt & Sharon Edmundson
Anna Kettle
Dan Orange
Ade & Sonia Birkby
Will Sopwith
Dave Connolly
Jack & Jen Mariner
Senior Pastors, Frontline Church
We Are Part of Something Bigger
You might be wondering why we’re called Crowd when we’re part of Frontline Church. Fair question!
Back in 1992, Frontline started in Liverpool when two small churches merged. (Fun fact: it wasn’t even called Frontline then — it was Bethany. The name changed when God called us to be more on the frontline of what He was doing in the city.)
When we started focusing on online church, we felt God nudging us to create a space that would resonate with people who might not typically connect with church. Hence, Crowd was born — inspired by those crowds who gathered around Jesus, curious about what He had to say.
More Than Just a Name
Being part of the Frontline family means you’re connected to something bigger than just our Sunday evening gatherings. Think:
- A thriving morning service in Liverpool
- Vibrant Polish and Iranian congregations
- Kids' church that your little ones will actually want to go to
- Pastoral care when life gets messy
- A community that's been figuring out faith together for over 30 years
So we are not just inviting you to a church service, but a family. Whether you’re joining us from your sofa in Liverpool or from the other side of the world, you’re becoming part of a story that’s been unfolding for three decades. A story that’s still being written. A family that’s still growing. A community that’s still learning what it means to follow Jesus together.
“I came to Liverpool as a student in ’92 — a brand new Christian walking into a small building with just a handful of people. It changed my life. I’ve seen Frontline’s journey — the ups, the downs, the messy bits, the beautiful bits. It hasn’t been perfect, but it has been family.”
Our Approach
Ever been in a church service with burning questions but no chance to ask them? Or had an insight that could help others, but no way to share it? Yeah, us too. That's why we do things differently.
We could tell you about our cutting-edge technology or our innovative online model. But honestly? We'd rather tell you about Jesus. Don't get us wrong — we love churches with smoke machines and professional worship teams. That's just not us. We're more likely to have a tech glitch than a light show, and we're okay with that. Because we reckon Jesus shines brightest when we're just being real.
We believe God's Word is for everyone — not just theologians. So we dig deep into Scripture, but we do it in a way that connects with real life. Whether you've got a PhD in Biblical Studies or you're just curious about faith, you'll find conversations that meet you where you're at.
Remember that thing about burning questions? That's where Conversation Street comes in. During our talks, you can ask questions, share insights, or tell stories that connect to what's being discussed. Think of it less like a lecture and more like a group exploration of faith. Your voice matters here. Using the chat, you can contribute in real-time. Our hosts weave these contributions into the conversation, creating a tapestry of perspectives that makes Scripture come alive.
Church doesn't end when the livestream does. Through small groups, the Live Lounge, and online hangouts, we're building real relationships that last beyond Sundays. Wherever you're connecting from, you'll find people who are genuine, accepting, and probably a bit geeky about Jesus. We're not perfect — far from it. But we're figuring out faith together, and that's kind of the point.
Got doubts? Perfect. Questions that keep you up at night? Bring them. Stories of hope? We'd love to hear them. Stories of struggle? Those too. We're not here to give you a sales pitch for Jesus. We're here to create space where you can explore faith honestly, ask hard questions openly, and discover what following Jesus might mean for your life.
What We Believe
Faith shouldn't feel like a textbook. Here's what shapes us, grounds us, and gets us excited about following Jesus:
We believe in one God who exists in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Sounds complex? Maybe. But it tells us something beautiful: at His very core, God is relationship. He's not some distant deity watching from afar. He's personal, present, and passionate about connecting with you.
We believe Jesus is God's Son who lived among us, died for us, and rose again. Not just as a good teacher or a moral example, but as the one who shows us what God is really like. Through Jesus, we discover that God isn't out to get us — He's out to love us, restore us, and give our lives meaning.
We believe the Bible is God's word — but not like a dusty rulebook. It's more like a love letter mixed with a guidebook for life. When we read it, we're not just learning about God; we're discovering our place in His ongoing story. And trust us, it's relevant to everything from your Monday morning meetings to your midnight doubts.
We believe the Holy Spirit is God's presence with us today. Think less about strange manifestations and more about having a divine GPS for life — guiding, comforting, and empowering us to live in ways we never could on our own.
We believe the Church isn't a building or a Sunday service — it's people. Messy, imperfect people figuring out faith together. When we say "church," we mean a community where you can belong before you believe, ask tough questions, and find family you didn't know you needed.
We believe salvation comes through faith in Jesus — not by being good enough or checking religious boxes. It's about accepting God's freely given love and letting it transform how we live. Because when you experience real grace, it changes how you treat yourself and others.
We believe prayer isn't about religious words or formulas. It's honest conversation with God. Sometimes it's beautiful, sometimes it's messy, but it's always about building real relationship with the One who knows you best and loves you most.
Real Faith Tackles Real Questions
We believe wrestling with tough questions is part of authentic faith. When it comes to complex social and ethical issues — like sexuality, gender, relationships, and lifestyle choices — we aim to approach everything through the lens of Scripture while recognising that good people (and good Christians) often come to different conclusions.
Seeking to understand and apply it to modern life.
Regardless of their beliefs or background.
On everything (what family does?).
While still figuring things out.
We're committed to having them about difficult topics.
Scripture's application can evolve over time.
Think of it this way: If Jesus welcomed people before they had everything sorted out (and He did), then so do we. Your questions, doubts, and different viewpoints don't disqualify you from being part of this community. They make you like the rest of us.
Your Next Step
Faith's a journey, not a destination. Whether you're just curious about Jesus, looking to get plugged into community, or ready to dive deeper, there's a next step for you. We're big believers in meeting people where they're at — wherever in the world that is — and walking alongside them as they explore faith.