You will be amazed by the friendly staff and regular folk visiting a great church environment.read more

Unfortunately Bayside is a fairly run of the mill non-denominational church as a business style…read moreorganization. In a culture that needs biblical truth more each year, this church does not much more than pander to the same culture that Christ says will hate Him. Below are a few notes for someone who is critically thinking about which church they should attend. Sermons - With the exception of one campus pastor, each sermon I have heard at the different campuses, as well as Randy's sermons are theologically shallow and provide little past emotional quips and jokes. I have personally heard parts of sermons that are blatantly plagiarized from other pastors around the country as well. They stream Randy most weeks to all campuses and it seems his love for the spotlight is the central focus of most sermons. I have heard him attempt to share the gospel during an altar call without mentioning sin once which says a lot about the maturity of the message being given. If your gospel is only about the therapeutic feel good aspects of Jesus loving you and taking away shame while failing to mention the sin that separates us and makes Jesus necessary for salvation, then you will leave people with an anemic and unbiblical view of themselves and Christ. A couple other examples of some of the preaching atrocities I have heard are: I have heard a pastor call Rahab "a hoe" during a sermon, Charlotte Gamble preaching some of the most unorthodox, nonsensical sermons ever to be spoken, I could go on. Culture - Bayside has some very loving people in their congregation but since the church is structured in the way that it is, there is very little connection between the community and its pastors if you are not within the inner circle. They use their objectively commercial success on social media and in congregation size as a justification that what they are doing is right when actually it seems this church and many in the community follow the same marketing/investment techniques to get as many butts in seats as possible. The worship centers on spectacle over truth. There is also a very unspoken but noticeable culture around the staff and the broader more connected people in the church that shames or dismisses any criticism or desire for growth in the organization. I have personally heard of Randy mocking a fellow staff members, volunteers being overworked, and people who bring anything up about it are quickly pushed to lower influence positions or outright relegated to not serving in any meaningful capacity. The culture emphasizes spectacle and emotional highs over the truth of God's word. Their budget for "At the movies" is higher than both their easter and Christmas services. Very telling for how little respect for any type of orthdoxy this church has. Closing Thoughts - Overall I would avoid this church if you are looking to grow in faith and not just be entertained. I personally think it is only a matter of time before this church becomes the center of some scandal and hope that God can turn it around before people get hurt.

My husband and I started attending The Bridge Church a few months ago. After the first service , we…read moreknew we found our church home. We both joined a small group and got baptized in November. Everyone from the Pastors, to the small group leaders, to the volunteers, are amazing. The sermons are very relatable. If you love a bible preaching church, this church is for you!

A real good church. Good people…read more Good energy Lots of love! Funny and relatable services!

Our family enjoyed worship with this group of people while vacationing. Friendly, clean, casual,…read moregood for kids. The worship team led with genuine enthusiasm. The sermon pointed to the grace freely offered through Christ.

Harbor Community Church is a new church in the West Bradenton area. The Core group has been…read moremeeting for a while now, and it is a group of energetic, excited people - of all ages - who are eager to share a sense of community with others as, together, we follow Christ. A welcoming group of people - who will accept you as you are!!!

The person I spoke is not representative of what a church should be. She sounded like she was in…read morethe middle of an argument or something talking to me. I would not go to this church unless you like angry people. I'm a Minister, but the loving kind. I was crying, and I can't believe she spoke to me that way. I can't wait to get out of Florida, so many people here are downright rude, standoffish, among other things. People openly talk about how my body looks here like I can't hear them- body shaming is a big thing nowadays, and I've heard a TON of it since I've been here. I think I'm beautiful and am sorry my body is so triggering lol for so many of you. Ive also met some very amazing people here, but when the majority leans the other way (at least in the areas I've been in) I'm out. I mean seriously the police here were probably the nicest people I met for any extended period of time. The police were more kind and comforting to me than an angry woman at a CHURCH. If you don't know about God/Jesus etc. and this place was your first experience, and it went badly- I really hope you don't give up, and think that is what it's about- cause it's not. Call another church until you find somewhere that feels to good to you. Generally speaking- you should leave a church feeling uplifted, and supported in case life gets ya.

My family and I started attending City Life last August and because of the AWESOME atmosphere, the…read moreinviting people and other families we decided to make this our church home!! Come visit, I guarantee that you'll be back.

I had inquiries about the churches finances and my questions were not answered. Also I was blocked…read morefrom the website for inquiries. They should be honest and opened. I would never attend there because they blew me off. I have never attended a MEGA church because I feel this church is all about making tax free money; the speaker seems more like a motivational coach then a minister trying to portray the teaching of the word.

The guest speaker, presented by video, was very good. I've heard him before and believe he's a…read morefaithful Christian however I was uncomfortable with his mention of his new book for sale. The live worship leader, who followed up after the message, promoted the book for sale. This made me very uncomfortable and I've spent the weeks since thinking about sellers in the church service and not his wonderful message. Also, no one greeted me at any time during the service and the music was way too loud. I don't like leaving a negative review for a church, but they don't provide a comment card and it's way more important for a church to get it right than a restaurant or boutique.

Absolutely love Grace Community Church and Dr. Chip's services. Seeing the church grow from a small…read morebusiness plaza to where it is now has been amazing. I love that Grace keeps the main thing, the main thing, Jesus! There is also a focus on being unintentional neighbors that reflect Christ. A wonderful way to connect with our community and those outside the church, sharing the gospel and serving others.

Absolutely! Chip is a fantastic teacher of the word. Relevant and historically accurate. Worship…read moreis contemporary and the members are approachable and inviting. They represent Christ well! Well done!

Great contemporary worship. The preaching was solid and very easy to follow. Good dash of humor…read moremixed in to serious message. Preacher wore blue jeans. Very friendly. Casual and relaxed, but everyone is obviously enthusiastic about being there. The children's programs are excellent! Nice coffee bar in the lobby that seems like a mini-Starbucks. Bookstore was fun to browse.

From the owner: Woodland strives to offer an energetic and relevant worship experience. Using multi-media, a…read morecontemporary blend of worship songs and hymns, and a message that connects with people's lives, our services present the ageless wisdom of Scripture in a creative, yet straightforward way. We offer four weekend services--Saturday at 5 and 7:17 pm, and Sunday at 9:00 and 10:45 am The Saturday 5 pm and Sunday services are identical. The Saturday 7:17 service offers a high energy, concert style worship. Pastor Tim speaks at all 4 services. Childcare is provided during each worship service for children birth through 3 years old.

Run ,don't walk , from this church. I attended this church as a guest for 3 months. At first glance…read more, the church was warm and inviting. As of this Sunday , I left this church grateful that the Lord revealed the true character of the pastoral staff. The staff feels "led" to berate , lecture , discipline and reprimand a guest (not a member ). The worship leader actually called it church disciple to me , but then he backtracked in front of the lead pastor. For our little impromptu lecture , they both deflected and called it a sit down talk , all the while acting as if I had broken all 10 commandments by being "disrespectful (their words not mine ). They just didn't take the time to see the ungodly attitude while administering this little talk( in the middle of a crowded room ). Dust my feet off and move on from this toxic church.

2nd review...I have been attending between The Source and Bayside Commonity LWR ongoing for the…read morepast few years. They are very different style churches...This review is to highlight the Source Church on 301. The Source church is focused on changing ppls lives in/ through Christ, and I have seen many miracles there. Pastors Ralph and Pastor Joanne are passionate, knowledgeable and legit in their ministry. They are bible based, and filled with the spirit. The praise and worship is often spirit moving and leads my spitit to tears in a good way often. The Source provides small groups, business related, couples related and a newly formed singles groups, in addition to child care for Sunday services and one off counseling when needed. ( call the office for details if in crisis ) It is a smaller church with a big heart. Check them out at 9 and 11- Sundays attend a live service or inquire at the info center Sundays in the Hub. You meet the nicest people at Church. CU thère.

The service was lively. The Worship was sweet, and the people were very friendly. The pastor and…read morehis wife shared the sermon. It was unusual, but very good. Overall, very uplifting. Going back again today.