Everything you need to know about controversial church City on a Hill

Andrew Thorburn’s links to a controversial church has caused widespread speculation about the group. Here’s what its followers believe.

Essendon CEO Andrew Thorburn has links to controversial church City on a Hill.

New Essendon chief executive Andrew Thorburn’s links to a controversial church has caused widespread speculation about the group.

City on a Hill was founded in 2007 by a small team who met at a bible study group in a Melbourne apartment.

The organisation launched their first public service in a Docklands pub and now have eight churches in five cities across Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.

There are four churches in the state including Melbourne CBD, Malvern East, West Footscray and Geelong.

The group have bold plans to open another 50 churches in 10 cities in order to see more “men, women and children going from death to life in Jesus’ name across the country”.

Mr Thorburn plays a key role at the organisation, becoming chairman after he joined in 2014.

Another important figure is Guy Mason, a senior pastor who originally founded the church.

He is an ordained Anglican Minister and a father-of-four.

Other leaders include directors Luke Nelson, Nick Coombs, Ryan Hansen and Simon Angus.

Andrew Thorburn is the chairman of City on a Hill.

Guy Mason founded the organisation.

The group is supported by a movement board and local church councils who provide “specialised governance” in areas like finance, risk, people and culture.

City on a Hill hold divisive beliefs on topics such as same-sex relationships, abortion and marriage.

In an article published on their website, the organisation said that “curiosity is a dangerous thing” and sex should be “enjoyed within marriage between one man and one woman”.

“In the Bible, homosexuality is described as a sin when it refers not to the attraction itself but rather the lustful, sexual behaviour associated with homosexual activity.

“Lust is the catalyst that turns same-sex attraction into a sin.

“If you struggle with same-sex attraction, it is vital to speak to a mature Christian whom you trust, so you can receive the support and accountability you will need in the long term to survive these temptations.”

The group also believes that “abortion denies the voice of the most vulnerable” and “80 per cent of those who have aborted their child have regretted it”.

“We believe that we must be a voice for the voiceless, and stand for the rights of the unborn baby and be pro-life.

The organisation has extremely controversial views on abortion and same-sex marriages.

“Human life begins at conception. All women and men have intrinsic value and worth as images of God.

“Whereas today we look back at (sic) sadness and disgust over concentration camps, future generations will look back with sadness at the legal murder of hundreds of thousands human beings every day through medicine and in the name of freedom.”

In another article on the site, the group said Christians should marry people of the same religion.

“The Bible is clear in its command that professing Christians are not to marry unbelievers. “As ‘dating’ is a twentieth century term, we can’t quote the Bible directly on it’s ‘dating advice’.

“However, it does state we should not marry nonbelievers, so we should not date them either. “While dating may not lead to marriage, it could.

“God’s advice is not purposed to limit our chances of marriage, or to legalistically apply rules for the sake of it, but ultimately for the good of the Christian.”

Each of City on a Hill’s entities are registered as not-for-profit charities.