On Wednesday, Wahroonga will demonstrate the power of the parish-based initiative with a little idea celebrating its third birthday as a region-wide conference.

"It was an idea that started when I was rector of St Andrews, Wahroonga," says the Ven Terry Dein, now the Archdeacon of the Northern Region.

The three week lecture series begun by a single church is now being embraced by many local Anglican churches, as well as members of other denominations.

"The interest is increasing every year," says Archdeacon Dein.

"The growth is not dramatic but the numbers build up as the weeks go by. We get a good 300 along each night."

This year Archbishop Peter Jensen will address "The Cross of Christ' over three Wednesday nights in the Abbotsleigh concert hall.

Archdeacon Dein says it's a good topic for a public fixated on the pros and cons of various world religions.

"I think we need to be reminded of the fundamentals so that we retain our distinctive Christian beliefs in a multicultural society," he says.

The Northern Region Lecture series is designed to be a "good start' for groups getting ready for the beginning of the year.

"February is sometimes a settling down month for home groups and Bible studies, and I say ‘While your getting things settled in come to the lectures and kick off you home groups in March'," Archdeacon Dein says.

"It's free, so all you have to do is turn up."

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