Members of the nondenominational Open Door Christian Church describe themselves as "a charismatic evangelical congregation." Many who belong to the Novato church got turned on to God during the Jesus People Movement that grew out of San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury scene in 1967. The friendly spirit of that evangelical mission continues today under Rev. Bill Sy.
The church's mission is to be a free and accepting part of the Open Door Commission, which is comprised of leaders from the Novato Church and its sister chapters located in Petaluma, San Rafael and American Canyon. Open Door has several special groups, including sessions tailored to men, women and children. There is a special needs ministry called the Institute of Abundant Living that provides adult eduction to people with special needs and a Celebrate Recovery group for those who are pulling out of challenging personal times.