My family and I left Eastern Hills this year after 7 years of membership. I have been putting off writing this review because of our relationship with and respect for the wonderful people, leaders, and elders at the church. However, as a service to my neighbors in Southeast Aurora, our silence must not continue. When the current senior pastor was hired about 4 years ago (the church had let go of their long time senior pastor over apparent work ethic disagreements), he started off preaching relatively Biblical sermons peppered with anecdotal illustrations and culturally relevant topics. Minus his kneeling to pray at the beginning of each message one would not immediately get the sense that he struggled with insecurities and an out of control ego...or that the social gospel was a foundational basis for his ministry. However, as with any relationship, the closer you get to the person the more you discover what truly animates them. According to EHills, Jesus Makes Life Better and they are constantly inviting visitors and seekers to experience that better life. Unfortunately, that better life has not extended to many of its pastors and key staff members as most of those who were there when the senior pastor was hired and those whom he hired have left unexpectedly and without positions lined up for themselves; and the explanations about their departures have not been believable to put it mildly. The senior pastor, and church leadership to some extent, have purposely removed parts of the Gospel narrative in order to attract the unchurched and church-hurt people in SE Aurora to their beautiful building (complete with Corvus-level coffee shop)...and of course, it was working up until the coronavirus hit. Naturally, there are several major positives to the church such as great music and lighting, nice facilities, and amazing people. So if you don't mind a Gospel that misses the doctrines of sin, God's wrath, justification, sanctification, discipleship, and you love heavily repeated slogans and mantras, anti-traditional church movements such as Andy Stanley's North Point, an ever-changing staff, politically charged sermons - think BLM and white guilt, and delicious cold brew then Eastern Hills may be a place for you to start. As for us, we will be finishing, by God's grace, elsewhere. read more