I've attended this church for about two years because my significant other wanted to try it, but we're done. This church is more like a tiny cult with no real understanding of the truth. First, the lead pastor Scott Joseph does most of the teaching, but he's a horrible teacher. He brings up Chicago pizza at least twice a month, tithing almost every week, and a short version of the prosperity gospel every Sunday. He has obviously never had to worry about anything in his whole or make a tough decision in his life (except whether or not to be a pilot or a pastor) and doesn't seem to understand that others have had to make much harder choices or had much harder situations in their lives. He never discusses anything people could be going through or any applicable situations like divorce, adultery, drugs, family, children, sex, death, or any other topic that is a real struggle. In the last two years, I swear!, I've heard about prayer, "God is so good," "all you need is Jesus - even if you have depression!," and that we must tithe at least 10% of our income before taxes regularly. For the culty part, they are all about inviting and including new people. They make these little cards to hand out to strangers to invite them to church and pass them out all the time. People invite their friends, family, and strangers, and then people include them in everything that happens. Sounds great until you want something more than from the actual sermon or to learn to really live life with God. If you try to leave, people will do everything to guilt you into staying. They will tell you to just trust Scott Joseph, that he's wonderful, and that it's still a young church. When people do leave, their "friends" cut them off completely. I have heard people say that they miss such-and-such but won't call or text because they "can't be a part of their life anymore." That it's just "too hard to try to have a relationship with them now that they don't go to High Rock anymore." It's fucking weird. And really, the people aren't that loving. They seem that way, until you are going through a real struggle or have a real problem with something. Then they can't have that in their lives. I've heard people turn their backs on others for visiting different churches or saying a bad word about Scott Joseph. After the whole refugee ban, Scott Joseph didn't even acknowledge it that Sunday. He focused on how to pray and that we should be making new friends and inviting them to church more often. They he brought up tithing. I, my significant other, and many of our close friends were upset because we felt that no matter what the politics are, any christian can agree that they should help those in need, which includes refugees. I and some of my friends were involved in volunteer efforts to help refugees resettling in America. So for Scott Joseph to ignore what is a moral and love issue was shocking, but after two years of him not talking about anything in the real world, it was really not a big surprise too. My significant other and I are leaving for these reasons. Reader beware! This place is a tiny cult that wants your money and will sell you a conservative prosperity doctrine that looks like christianity, but really isn't. read more

I've been attending High Rock Church for a solid 12 years now as I write this review and am incredibly thankful for the community I've found there. High Rock aims to be a Biblical church that emphasizes friendship, worship, and solid theology. The sermons are rich in context, yet easy to understand and applicable. The lead pastor just finished an immensely helpful series on marriage, family, and raising children that was truly insightful. This is kind of a random note, but I love that the leadership in this church don't shy away from facing the mental health epidemic that's hitting our country so hard right now-- you can trust that if you're someone who struggles with depression, anxiety, or a number of other issues, you will find support here. And not just generic "we'll pray for you!" support (though plenty of that happens!), but amazingly kind and gentle leadership on next steps, including therapy or meds. They really care about you as an individual and want to see you thriving. It's so encouraging to have people like this in my life. Other things I love: The kids' program is legit and is so much fun. Our daughter loves the volunteers who serve there and she looks forward to it every week! Small groups meet weekly and are a blast. We have Biblical discussions centered around a new topic each month and lots of other opportunities to just hang out and chill. The moms in this church are active and regularly plan park dates and other get-togethers to foster friendships for both themselves and their kids. There are plenty of students and rides are available for those who don't have transportation. As an adult, I love the opportunity to get to know students who are a decade or more younger than me. It feels so fun to pour into them and get to know them. Lots of cross-generational friendships at this church that just feel really healthy and encouraging. Worship feels very meaningful here. It mostly consists of contemporary pieces with an occasional hymn and is done really well without being flashy or entertaining. It's intimate and authentic. Some people raise their hands and others are more comfortable just singing. Either is totally fine and it isn't the kind of atmosphere where you feel self-conscious about it. Lastly, just the people. High Rock is full of down-to-earth individuals who simply love Jesus, love the Bible, and genuinely have a heart for others. It feels like home to me. It feels safe and welcoming and comfortable. It's easy to fit in and easy to be known. I can't imagine being anywhere else. read more

This is an amazing church. It is vibrant and warm and a great place for students. It is Spirit-filled and Bible believing. I love this church. I first came as a student and liked it right away. The thing that really impressed me was how many people went up for prayer at the end. You could tell God was working and moving a lot in people. Below is hopefully a helpful description of a Sunday morning. When you walk in, you'll be greeted by the smell of donuts and coffee, and many people excited, talking, and meeting each other. At about three minutes before the service music will come on and usher everyone into the auditorium who isn't already. A pastor will get up and talk through the itinerary for the day, which is simply a normal church service with worship, a sermon, and a chance for prayer if you'd like it. The service is the highlight of my week each week. Seriously, it is what I look forward to most out of anything. The worship is wonderful, God really meets us and you can tell people really know God. If you are not familiar with worship that is fine too. You can observe and/or sing along if you would like. The sermon is very well prepared, and it is very practical and helpful. God seems to work powerfully each week in the sermon to prepare me for the next week and grow me as a Christian overtime. There is a chance to get prayer for yourself at the end of service too. When I decide to go up, I always find that is very helpful and feels like God is truly working in me. Finally, you might plan to stay for a sec and meet a few people. That's one thing I noticed when first coming. People wanted to meet me and welcome me. Lastly, to the person who had the 1 star review, I am very sorry for your experience. I wish I could make it up to you somehow. My experience has been the complete opposite and just wish it could have been the same for you. read more

I attended this church from 2015-2021, became a member and volunteered many, many hours of my time there. I do not believe this is a safe church for families with kids. Church leadership allowed a man who has been arrested multiple times for sexual misconduct with minors to volunteer in the kids program even after they were made aware of his 2002-2003 charges and trial. Parents and other kids program volunteers were never informed when he was arrested again in 2019, even though he had been actively volunteering in the kids program in the years leading up to that. In fact, he is even pictured in someone else's review photo above, the man in the orange shirt next to the lead pastor (in the red shirt). You can google "ASL instructor charged with child molesting" to see his mugshot to confirm that's him. There are insufficient safeguards in place for screening kids program volunteers and prospective parents should be extremely wary. Current High Rock parents please read the Herald Times articles from July 8, 2003 and November 15, 2019 yourself, before you allow the censored and sanitized versions of what this man has done to children to be swept under the rug for you. If you've been told he's the victim, he's not. If you think it's mainly creepy strangers who abuse children, it's statistically much more likely to be trusted friends and family, as hard as that is to stomach. Please keep your kids safe if the church leadership won't. read more

I have been attending this church for almost seven years now. I can truly say that I wouldn't be the same person without it. Every week, we worship a God who is real and hear Bible-based teaching that explains more of who he is and how to have more of him in our lives. The pastors and small group leaders don't just say what's popular or progressive in our world today--they stick to the truth of the Bible. At the same time, all the members are loving and welcoming toward anyone who would attend, recognizing that everyone is in progress and has stuff to work through. This church has a great kids program and youth group. I know when I drop my son off in the nursery on Sunday mornings that he will be safe, have fun, and feel so loved! High Rock also has a lot of college students and young families, in addition to more established families. There is a variety of small groups that meet on different nights throughout Bloomington and Ellettsville, and a lot of ways to get involved in serving too. Check it out next Sunday. You won't be disappointed! read more

Some loving, amazing people mislead within a broken system full of unbiblical hatred, cruelty, judgment and greed. For connection, healing and insight visit leavingthenetwork.org as well as the associated Reddit site that has more than 400 members in healing after being part of this unnamed network of churches. If you are wondering why all the Google reviews are positive, it is because they actively remove the negative ones. read more

There are some wonderful people that go here, but unfortunately leadership is manipulative, cruel, and teaches isolating and cult-like practices. If you don't listen obediently or fit their mold, there will be a lot of pain, manipulation, and judgment. This church doesn't follow God--it follows greed, power, and control. Look up leavingthenetwork.org for more insight. read more

The church is turning into a cult. You need to use one version of the bible. Make sure you only give to the church. Do not help anyone to adopt any child because the pastor will not allow any donation to go to the adoptive parents. Do not support anyone with supporting their own business. The leader of the network is a pedophile and I will not support this church! read more

A place that believes the Bible is the word of God, worships Jesus God the son, worships God the father, and worships the Holy Spirit.