As the demographics of the northern suburbs of Melbourne changed, what were once vibrant churches declined. Northern Community Church of Christ came about through the merging of four of these dying churches. But this was not just a survival strategy. Phil McCredden – who has been the team leader for 12 years – had the vision of Northern becoming a multiplying church – planting at least one new church each year. There are now eight churches that make up the Northern Circle – meeting in cafe's, a retirement village, a community centre, a home and in a chapel.