Starting with about 10 people who worked on designing and creating the services, the congregation grew to almost 600 members while resident at St Thomas' Church.
Main themes included care for the planet and concern about its abuse, simple lifestyle and development of relationships with non-churched people.
The Bishop of Sheffield demanded Brain's resignation after he confessed to having sexual relationships with young women in the congregation.
Initially refusing to step down, Brain eventually resigned in November 1995, the week before a documentary on the abuse scandal was aired.
On 1 February 2024 South Yorkshire Police announced that Christopher Brain had been summonsed to appear at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on 18 March 2024 to face a total of 34 charges of sexual offences (one of rape, 33 of indecent assault) against 11 members of the Nine O'Clock Service congregation.
District Judge Marcus Waite granted him unconditional bail and told him to appear again at Sheffield Crown Court on 15 April 2024.
[10][11][12][13][14][15] On 15 April 2024 Christopher Brain was due to attend Sheffield Crown Court in the afternoon for his plea and trial preparation.