June 23, 2026
I will…read morenot tolerate harmful or inappropriate behavior in my personal life especially from grown adults, Jesus flipped tables for abusing the church & I'd rather spend my time with people who honestly fail me rather than people who dishonestly fail and deny what they have done.
from March, 2026 "I don't see any fruit nor could entrust myself to people in the 30's and 40's group to continue growing in Christ with the history of the groups brokenness, lack of shepherding, humility, double standards, double binding behaviors, pride/arrogance, unrequited nature among the leadership and unrequited relationships people have inside 30/40's group not getting to know people one on one who enter the group... Does the leather on the Bible carry more weight than the skin of hands? I say this because for a long time I've been a weary Christian traveler trusting that God is present even when I can't see (Luke24:13-35) and also how Jesus discerned who he could entrust himself too (John2:23-25; Matt 7:15-20)."
Tim Keller Wrote "In the dominant cultural narrative--reflected in the reasoning of the doctor--"words like 'suffering' are unredeemably negative" because "it is important to avoid pain at all costs" since 'our lives are [valued] by nothing more significant than our desires.'"
According to Jesus, it is what we do in secret that matters most.
"Godliness must be found in the heart if it is to be genuine. The one who prays more in public than in private, or only gives at special events when likely to be thanked for it, or practices spiritual disciplines and lets everyone know just how difficult a spiritual routine he keeps, is more concerned about the outward appearance than a heart-relationship with Jesus." --Derek Thomas, Tabletalk Magazine
June 15, 2026 semi update: I was able to speak directly with church leadership, share my experience, and was heard. They expressed genuine apologies for what happened in the group and communicated they are actively working to make changes to the group's leadership. I don't believe this reflected their intentions for the church leadership but bad apples. Raising to 3 stars to reflect that accountability, while noting the process to get here required significant effort on my part and there's room for growth, restoration, and growing the trust back. I can sense what seems to be authenticity in the leadership of the church and this could a branch needed to be pruned.
As things grow and change with evidence so will my particular rating.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12, ESV
2 June 2026 Updated to the reply below: I had a difficult experience at this church. A person in the 30s/40s small group made inappropriate jokes sitting next to me during the small group and there were widespread rumors of pursuing people inappropriately and I can only share my experience. When I raised concerns what I saw a system protecting itself and protecting dysfunction. I genuinely hope this changes and that people are being led toward Jesus rather than being manipulated. Just totally inauthentic and self absorbed. A good pruning of the Rose bush is necessary at this church to make room for new healthy buds. "A function of cutting away to reduce the extent or reach of something by taking away unwanted or superfluous parts." But in good conscience I can't recommend this church without sharing what I experienced.
Update in response to the reply below. The statement that the invitation "remains open" seems contradictory because I responded to the original invitation, communicated my boundaries, and made myself available. I do not want to be in the same room as the people who demonstrated a lack of integrity in their personal conduct. If it was so important to have restoration we would have started by acting like grown adult Christians, communicating honestly (Ephesians 4:25).
Scripture teaches that healthy communication and conflict resolution require honesty, humility, and genuine follow through & not silence.
