About Us

But It's not really
about us...

We’re a community of everyday people learning to follow Jesus and live His way here in Sydney. 

We gather on Sundays, but Church isn’t just a Sunday service—it’s about finding connection and community. Whether you’re exploring faith, looking for community, or ready to grow deeper in your journey, there’s a place for you here.

We believe that following Jesus is like becoming an apprentice — a lifelong journey of knowing Him, becoming more like Him, and making a positive difference in the world.

We’re here to live out God’s love in real, tangible ways, and our hope is that Sydney would look a little more like heaven—full of kindness, justice, and joy. That's why we say we exist “For the Love of God and for the good of the city.”

So, all that to say, you're welcome at The Local.

WHY JESUS?

Jesus is the most influential figure in history—not just a teacher or a prophet. He claimed to be more than a wise man; He said He was God stepping into human history to show us what He is really like. His life was marked by radical love—welcoming the outcast, healing the broken, confronting injustice, and offering grace to those who least deserved it. But the most extraordinary thing about Jesus wasn’t just how He lived—it was what He came to do.

Jesus didn’t arrive as a last-minute solution—He was part of God’s plan from the very beginning. Jesus came to bring God’s kingdom on earth to reflect how it is in heaven—not just to rescue individuals but to restore all of creation and bring humanity back into alignment with God’s original design. He came to usher in a new way of being human—one where love, justice, mercy, and truth shape our lives. In Jesus, we see not just who God is but who we were always meant to be.

At the core of Christianity is the idea, as Tim Keller puts it, that “we are more flawed than we ever dared admit, yet more loved than we ever dared imagine.” Jesus came to bridge the gap between humanity and God—not by demanding that we fix ourselves, but by stepping into our place. On the cross, He took on all the brokenness of the world, offering in return forgiveness, freedom, and a new way to live. And in rising from the dead, He proved that even death doesn’t have the final word.

Following Jesus is about a relationship with the One who made us, knows us, and loves us beyond measure. Jesus didn’t just come to get us into heaven; He came to get heaven into us. His invitation is open to everyone:

Come as you are, but don’t stay as you are.

There’s a new life waiting for you.

OUR AFFILIATION

The Local has been accepted as a ‘Newstart Church Plant’ with the Baptist Association of NSW & ACT. The Baptist Association exists to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, deed, and sign through interdependent partnerships. This allows us to outwork our faith in a biblically sound environment with New Testament life and energy.

They are credible, considered, and contemporary-minded. They offer rigorous systems and processes and require adherence. They allow for congregational autonomy - decisions, direction, and theological flavour. 

OUR LEadership

The Local Church is overseen spiritually by a small group of Elders, alongside a ministry council responsible for legal requirements, a pastoral team for teaching and shepherding, a ministry leadership team for practical administration, and a group of congregational representatives who ensure the church community has a voice in key direction and decision making.

As we are still quite young, this structure is still in development and will take some time to outwork completely. At present, our leadership is as follows;

Eldership

The Eldership at The Local Church is the spiritual authority over the church as laid out in Scripture. Their role, along with the Pastoral Team, is to guard and give shape to direction, doctrine, and discipline.

Current Eldership

  • Clive Logan
  • Gaylia Logan
  • Rob Garratt
  • Cath Garratt
  • Cassandra Langton
  • Richard Langton

Ministry Council

At The Local Church, the Ministry Council is made up of elders and non-elders. They are the governing body of directors accountable for the legal operations and liabilities of the charity organisation of The Local Church Sydney.

Current Ministry Council

  • Gaylia Logan - Council Chair
  • Rob Garratt - Secretary
  • Scott Haslem - Finance Oversight
  • Tim Whincop
  • Richard Langton
  • Sarah Morgan

Pastoral Team

The pastoral team is those who focus on the preaching, teaching, discipleship, and formation of the congregation of the Local Church. In partnership with the Board of Elders, they prayerfully and practically outwork direction and doctrine. 

Current Pastoral Team

  • Richard Langton
  • Cassandra Langton
  • Sarah Morgan

The Local Is a
Safe Space

The Local is committed to modeling the love of Christ to all people we have contact with. We are also committed to partnering with individuals, parents, and families to provide meaningful, welcoming, fun experiences in high-quality, safe environments. 

To this end, we are in the process of establishing a Safe Church Team that will engage with all concerns. We will list members of the Safe Church Team shortly, along with contact details.

Should you have a concern that you are unable to resolve or wish to escalate, please download, complete, and return our "Safe Church Concerns Form".