The sermon on "wealth management" failed to discuss how the church is helping impoverished communities or under represented communities in the area. Instead, they discussed their expensive building, expensive school, and their Olympic type gym/pool.... what about ministering to the poor? They discussed how they help a church in Peru and when that church presented a video as to their own ministries it was inspiring (unlike Community). They discussed feeding the hungry, looking after orphans, entering crime ridden areas to minister the word of God. In contrast, Community wants to expand their already beautiful building so others will want to become Christians (huh? what?). Christ is crying. read more

The church exists to love people the same way God loves us. All the pastors are great, and the community is like a family. It is a beautiful place to watch your family grow, and it has blessed our family immensely. read more

I really want to like this Church but there is so much about it that creeps me out. I first visited this Church a year ago when I was "Church Shopping" and was put off by a number of things: The jewelry on the Pastor's wife, a look she gave one of the members of the worship team, the fact that they use a public collection vs. an Agape box, the fact they provide video games for the kids, the fact they have plain clothes security, etc. I ended up choosing a different church but we ended up choosing the Community Church Camp for our son. He has liked the camp and the experience has been positive but the church has used him to psychologically strong arm us into visiting the Church on Sundays. First they offered the kids ice cream to come and then they had a contest where the counselor who got the most non-members kids to church won a prize which puts pressure on the kids. The final straw that led me to post this negative review was a walk that I took through the Church grounds and discovered their satanic ceremony area in the woods. The church runs a haunted house every Halloween which is creepy enough having a Church celebrating and profiting from All Hallows Eve. Evidently the church as part of last year's "celebration" erected a satanic area in the woods in the back. The area is covered with "666", Christian Crosses that have been Xed out, all seeing eyes, etc. First, that is again creepy in and of itself but what is even worse is that the church has left this satanic shrine up in the woods year round. What a lack of judgement on the part of the leadership. What were they thinking?? Update: The Church had Yelp take down my photos of their satanic ceremony area and then apparently, against Yelp policy, solicited numerous positive comments from members to offset the 1 star rating. Since they all came in on the same day they were filtered out but you can see them in the filtered reviews. The church did do a weak and meager job of painting over the 666s and all seeing eyes but the area remains in the woods behind the church if anyone wants to go and take a gander. read more

This Gospel-centered church emphasizes loving one another, discipleship, and reaching the youth & next generation. If you are or have a middle or high schooler I highly recommend F.E (Fire Escape) youth program that meets every friday night. read more

Love the greeting you get when you walk in the door. Everyone is very helpful and kind. You can tell most everyone is truly happy there. The worship service is off the charts! Truly amazing! The children's services are amazing as well. The children's pastors are compassionate and really strives to meet our children's needs. The head pastor is very relatable in his preaching. You can tell he truly cares for his 'flock', and most everyone there has great love for him and his family. A really great church to be a part of! I hate people think that this church is only out for the money. This church does its part in supporting missions, the local community, and their members. Churches have to have money in order to meet the needs of the members and community it is in. The Bible gives the example of tithing and this concept comes from God. No one likes to part with their money, but if you only understood that it's not about the money, but giving back to God's 'house' to provide for God's family within those church doors. More-so it is to give out of a pure heart back to God. All he asks is for 10% of what he's providing you. This church does not ask nonmembers to give to the church at all. They provide multiple ways for people to give out of convenience for the church members. This church has so many ministries God has put on peoples hearts seeing the need. One if which is to have a fully accredited private school from grades preschool to 12th grade! This school is a ministry out of this church, not a separate money maker. The staff and teachers are really great to work with and honestly I hate being asked for money above my tithe and then school fees but just because this is a church doesn't mean it has to look and function as if we were in a third world country. I believe it is important that the local church meet the needs of its members and community and just sometimes God doesn't tell all of us outsiders what the church needs to accomplish this. God provides for His church and its needs through those who have a pure heart and those he's moved to do so. If you don't wish to give don't. If you don't believe in what this church is doing, don't give, don't attend. It is a personal thing. There are millions of churches out there. Show me one that doesn't need money to function as God set up the local church to function. I'm not talking about tv pastors. I'm talking about churches that are in the trenches with their members and community and who support missions in other locations nationally and internationally. read more

Awesome Church. Hope my good review does not get removed again like other good reviews! Young Pastors and wives are a great fit for my family! I love my Church! read more

Community Church - Pastor Charlie - Churches Near Me - Ashburn, Virginia

Community Church is a church based on scripture, grace and reason. We have felt compelled to changed and give of ourselves, challenged to grow and filled with compassion for others since we have been regularly attending. read more

Amazing church!!! Community Church is for everyone! From the moment you enter the parking lot you feel welcomed. There are so many reasons why you should try this church and make it your home. The worship is powerful and the preaching challenges you in a non-threatening and non-intimidating way. Pastor Charlie Whitlow communicates the bible effectively and gives practical applications for daily living. The kids / children's ministry is fantastic too. The outreaches that the church provides are life changing. Every month they have a huge gathering for teenagers called the Wnkd that is incredible. It's great to see church care for and minister to the youth of Loudoun County. All in all... (A plus), (10 out 10), (two thumbs) up experience. read more

Community Church - Churches Near Me - Ashburn, Virginia

A few years ago, I moved to this area with my (now-ex) wife and children. She is, and I was, a believer who grew up active in the church. At a first visit, this church seems quite nice. Most of the people are very pleasant and friendly, and they are quite welcoming of new members. The fun only starts once you become a member. As mentioned by a previous Google reviewer, this church is all about the money. This is undeniably evident in the myriad avenues that the church has setup to collect money. There is an "offering" every Sunday, they have setup a website where you can donate money or setup an automatic withdrawal from you bank account, and more recently they even installed "Donation Kiosks" (think reverse ATMs) all around the interior of the church. In the two years or so that I regularly attended this church, the pastor must have preached more than half a dozen sermons EXCLUSIVELY about the necessity of church-goers to tithe (i.e. give 10% of their income to the church). "Here are 10 oranges. At the beginning of the month, you give 1 orange to the church, and keep 9 oranges for yourself." This visual analogy was literally used regularly. For me, some of the most infuriating aspects of the money-grubbing included 1) the audacity of the pastor to come right out during a service (while wearing his True Religion jeans) with this (paraphrased) story: "A man came to me saying he was having trouble with XYZ, and you know what the first thing I did was? I went to the church secretary and had her pull his donation record. And you know what? This man had not been tithing. How do you expect god to help you if you're not following the rules and tithing regularly?" I almost stood up in the church and went berzerk. 2) The final straw for me before I left that (and all churches) forever, was a fundraising drive by the church around the end of 2011. They decided that the church need $4 MILLION (yes, that's $4,000,000) to build a new road to the church, a new sign for the church, and a kitchen for the church. For nearly a full month, this was harped on for at least 15-30minutes per church service, until practically every member had been cajolled into promising any money they could or could not spare for the church to reach this goal. Tell me, does a church that has such high attendance that it provides THREE services every Sunday REALLY have such a debilitating access and publicity problem that it requires FOUR MILLION DOLLARS in renovations? All of this while the church leaders spew rhetoric about starting "cafes" for around Loudoun and Fairfax Counties where they can be "safe from the world" and have positive after-school activities... Maybe some of that $4,000,000 could have gone to something like that? How about a clean-wate well in Africa? How about 10? How about 1,000? No, no. The Community Church needs a prettier sign, you kids find your clean water somewhere else. Regarding the church leaders, this church is a literal aristocracy. The current pastor is the son of the founding pastor, as is the music director/worship leader. All of the activties in the church are sanctioned and attended by members of 3-5 core families within the church, and any activity that someone proposes or attempts to begin within the church that does not have the blessing of these leading families is ignored and shoved aside. The Virginia Academy school that the church hosts gives free tuition to anyone whose parents or GRANDparents are staff of the church... really. To top all of this off, the church has successfully managed to rig the Yelp reviews to hide truthful negative accounts. There are 4 reviews given on the same day, then two reviews on the same day a month later (8/22/2010) by two people I personally know to be paid staff members of the church... wow. If you want to be religious, that's your choice, but all this church wants is your money. Go ANYplace else. As for me, I have nothing but gratitude for this church for tipping me over the edge and helping me to find the truth in the greed of "Christians", the ludicrous mythology of the bible, and the reality of our atheistic world. So, thank you, Community Church, without you, I never would have gotten away from god. read more

If you want to connect with God. Attend this church. I moved out of state and sorely miss it.

This church is the best church I have ever attended. Donations are only mentioned a few minutes every day and everyone really cares about you and makes you feel special. It is really about the family here. Pastor Arlie has created a perfect environment to raise a family and help guide you on the right path. I feel so blessed to be part of this church and it has helped me become a better person. I will forever be grateful for everything this church has done for me, my family and the community. read more

Emphasizes facilities and programs over community and relationships. More flexibility and creativity in the churches finances, making some expenditures public or granting givers some say in how the money is spent would be a significant improvement. Nursery has been audited and certified by a semi-professional child safety expert. The Staff is excellent, willing to give you their time when you are going through a struggle, and to drop everything and help you out when you are really in a jam. Praise and worship is fantastic. Senior Elder is a kind, upright,and wonderful man. The best part of attending this church is the regular attendees and members. Needs more cowbell. read more

As a former pastor's kid I have been in more churches in my lifetime than the average person and I can assure you that all churches encourage tithing and offerings. All churches have community projects, missionaries to support and bills to pay. This requires church members to tithe and give offerings. Tithes and offerings of churches like The Community Church paid my father's missionary salary. The Community Church is not alone in encouraging this. As a longtime member of this church the thing that brought me here from the church I had been attending was the love for people and the church's programs for children, youth, adults. What has kept me here has been the love and encouragement in good times and bad throughout the past 20 years of my life. This church practices what it preaches and it isn't about the money at all. The projects the church is fundraising for will benefit the church and the greater community. This includes an expanded Messiah's Market that feeds families each week, a kitchen to provide hot meals for students in-house at the school, additional classrooms for a growing academy. This church has kept costs low for private school making a Christian education for kids possible for families who couldn't afford it otherwise. During February this church provides volunteer babysitting services for the community so that mom's and dad's can take a night to reconnect and enjoy a date. This past February we were on a single income and Date Nights allowed us to enjoy time together that we wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise. Community groups use the church gym and athletic fields on a weekly basis. I don't even want to think of what the electric bill runs to keep the lights on for all of the community and church programs that go on week after week. If you are searching for a church home that puts it's money where it's mouth is, with a diverse congregation of people that love and accept you and have a desire to reach the community they are a part of, then this is the church for you. read more

I'm always wary of positive reviews where the business in question is all over the site (i.e. argues, corrects, or responds to, etc every negative review). I agree with James W's review about the money, nepotism, and lack of accountability to the church body since it is a family run business. I have had several friends that taught for the school and they have confirmed that kids and grandkids of employees get free tuition at the school. However, they could be misinformed. I have also heard Pastor C on occasion mention checking people's tithe records after they have come to him with a problem. I have also been uncomfortable with him ridiculing people (even though not by name) on stage in front of the whole congregation (For example: "I had someone come to me this week saying the music is too loud. Really? You dont have anything else to worry about?") Especially when there really have been times where the comments he is putting down on stage were ones where others In the congregation agree (such as a time when the music really was uncomfortably loud for several weeks when he could have used that as an opportunity to inform the sound team rather than humiliating someone on stage). I have never been to a church before where members didnt vote on and receive a summary of where their tithes are going. I have never had this made available to me here. When I and friends have asked about a summary of where our $ is going (even just % to missions, salary, etc), we were immediately asked instead of answered, 'Are you tithing? Are you serving?" And the church pastor definitely plays favorites with who they help out financially in times of job loss, etc, as I have personally experienced. Also, the church nursery directors and volunteers arent on the same page about their policies. I have had several occasions where I have been told contradictory information about policies and practices by the different kids' ministers, directors, and workers. I was treated with condescension and like her time was way too important by the children's ministry director for even HAVING questions. Yes, the workers are volunteers, but it is the paid staff's job to ensure they understand and are upholding the practices they tell the parents they are using. In summary, many of the church staff and congregation are awesome, genuinely helpful people, but the pastor, former pastor, and his family could step back and have more accountability, humility, and yes, less pride and greed. I have been a member of several "mega churches" through the years due to moves, and have never had such a rich church act so desperate for money, yet not tell you where it is going. When I first started attending, the church was BRAND new, had skateboard ramps and video game consoles, etc in the youth areas (I know because I volunteered in those areas), but they weree constantly in sermons talking about what message we were sending to the youth by giving them such a rundown, unfinished Fire Escape. It has been remodeled in various ways (same way with other areas of the church in the years I attended), yet people who needed money for missions were turned away for missions (i.e. a long time member and friend who needed money to do a year in A mission program was denied money from us, her home church, but random other churches gave her love offerings just for visiting!) Yes, we give money to a church in peru for example, (though how much and how often, you will never be told) where in return their staff came and preached about how we should be giving more money to our church; and to the pastor's brother's church in northern va (nepotism again). And while I am sure Brian will respond with genuine concern because he is a good guy, as are many of the staff members, the actual head honchos, who are the only ones with any real power to address any concerns would do nothing about it and likely just ridicule me on stage in front of the whole church ( though not by name). Hence, why I stopped calling or trying to meet with staff with any concerns and changed churches. read more

not the best church. i dropped my kids off and one of them came out of service complaining it's to loud. the church only does it for money.

I was sincerely saddened to read such a negative review about the Community Church. My family has been attending this church for almost 7 years (since we moved to the area), and it became a better part of our life. Since day one, when we walked in, the genuine friendliness of the people in the church made us feel like home. Our son loves the youth program, and we are very thankful that he is growing in the strong spiritual environment. We are indeed supporting our church financially - primarily because we believe in what the Bible teaches us, and we want to see our church impact lives of people in our county and beyond. The fund-raising campaign, mentioned in the previous review, helped to complete the teen center in our church (you should have seen the number of kids attending the church!). And the kitchen for the Messiah's market is under construction - Messiah's market is open to all in need of food in our county. I am very proud of the wonderful things our church is doing in the community. I hope that people can make their own conclusion about the Community church once actually visit it. read more

I was thorough in checking out this church before I used the food pantry they offer because our family has been backed into a corner by many churches attempting to increase membership by pressing people into becoming members. I was concerned with the large quantity of negative reviews that the church inspired but assumed that the pressure to tithe and the other issues would not be of great concern so I began to acquire much needed food through the church's weekly food pantry. They are the only weekly food pantry locally so unless you are planning to be hungry on a timely schedule it is very helpful to go to a weekly pantry to rely on. I have been there six times now. Spoiled meats are common there but that is not so unusual I suppose so I was (and am) grateful for the balance of the food. Unfortunately I began to notice several recurring themes that are very negative. The first disturbing thing I noticed was how the people who come there in need of food are treated. I would describe this treatment as substandard or second class citizen treatment. the people must come and wait (usually about 30 minutes outside) for numbers to be given out, not in order of who stood waiting OUTSIDE (regardless of weather) the longest, but at random (and not everyone always gets one). They also move the location more than 100 feet so no one can be sure where to stand to get a number which is hard on everyone, especially the handicapped. When the numbers are given out the people are told to line up at the first indoor counter to show ID before moving to the real waiting line for food. Each line takes at least 30 minutes and sometimes well over an hour each. We are not permitted to use the bathroom (which is in the building and used by the staff during this time) for this entire time including small children who I have personally witnessed (twice) urinating on themselves due to the lack of concern for so basic a human need. Also children are not allowed to accompany their parent into the pantry room but must stand at the door and not make trouble after so long a wait. there is no seating for anyone but the staff, even the handicapped. Someone complained that they were handicapped and requested seating once but once seated they were given a miserable time for the remainder of their wait For example sources of misery included loud complaints that the chair was in the way and taking up too much space by the person who placed the chair there. The handicapped must bring someone to help them or they cannot get their needs met. The staff rushes people through even tapping a foot if you take too long to choose (Heaven help you if you have dietary restrictions because they don't care). The last straw that pressed me into writing a review was December tenth 2013. I and about twenty five other families arrived in the parking lot to wait for a number which would lead to food and we waited for an entire hour and a half watching the staff salt the already clear sidewalks while we froze. The staff for the food pantry had taken the day off due to the weather apparently because it was too dangerous for them to travel in. They did not leave a sign or a phone message or a web site message to inform the evidently unimportant people who spent their much needed gas to come for direly needed food that they were not going to be open. I paid a water bill thinking it would be okay because I could go to the food pantry and we would not go hungry. People are taught not to feed wild animals unless they plan to continue because those animals will become dependent on the food source and could therefore starve in inclement conditions. In the case of wild animals it is called passive neglect (because the situation was created by the person who withholds or simply does not replenish the food source), how then is it acceptable for this situation involving human beings to be created by such a trusted institution? I personally am outraged at this because I am sure there were others whose need exceeded my own. I think the way a church treats their poor is the strongest indicator for what type of church it is. I also think this church is not one I will ever attend, but they also only press people to join if they have money so I don't think they would even want any of us. I asked to help with the food pantry since they appear understaffed and my offer was rudely declined and I was made to feel as if I had no value since I was standing on the other side of the counter. I hate to see people enforce negative social roles that strip away the dignity and personal empowerment of our poor. For anyone to become empowered to make positive changes to their life that impact individual productivity they need to overcome feelings of helplessness, guilt and social insignificance. That said, I feel it is important to say that the food pantry service they provide is very valuable and many families could not survive here without it. read more