The church has added another Sunday service to its existing three to better accommodate the high numbers attending each week.

Senior Minister Rev. Richard Mills said the new 5pm service, which had been running since mid July, was aimed at the younger congregation, with an informal feel and contemporary Christian music played by a live band.

"We had more than 200 people at the 9.30am service - there was no room to grow. Now we have around 160 coming to the 9.30 service and around 65 at 5.30pm," he said.

Rev Mills said that while the growth at his church had been steady over the years, it reflected a general increase in the Sydney Anglican diocese.

"We are trying to be relevant and package Christianity in a way that's attractive to all ages. We also reach out to the community in many other ways: we have three playgroups here, after-school hours care and we're looking at starting a drop-in centre," Rev Mills said.

The church works at being family-friendly, with two services held in the auditorium for easy pram access, a 'crying room' where parents can still see and hear the service but don't need to worry about their babies making too much noise, and a creche.

The 5pm service has also added another SundayKids group, aimed at children in upper primary school. This is in addition to several SundayKids groups run as part of the 9.30am service.

As a result of the increase in younger members of the congregation, Rev Mills said he was looking to employ a minister who would focus on youth.

"I believe it is a sin to bore a kid with the gospel. So we treat it like a present - you don't change what's inside but you change the wrapping. The message is timeless, but we use different ways to communicate that message such as good music and technology.

"We find the young ones tell their friends, and they are also involved with leading and preaching at the services," he said.

"We have quite a number of three-generational families in our congregation and we even had four generations here the other day."

Rev Mills also believes it is important to get out into the community, and takes part in the Anzac Day ceremony, and visits the local schools. He also hopes to resurrect the outreach church at Colo Vale in the future.

"Being here long term is a good thing - it helps us interact with others. There are a lot of people hurting out there and we are here to help.

"We find that people often rejected the message from the church as a kid, but we ask that you revisit it as you get older - you may be surprised," Rev Mills said.

The church also continues to hold two more traditional church services each Sunday at 8am and 11am, in the 137-year-old heritage church building.

Rev Mills said visitors were always welcome at all services.

For more information go to www.mittang.com.au or search Mittagong Anglican on Facebook.

By Jen Walker