I want to begin by saying the teaching is solid, the worship is uplifting, and there are genuinely…read moregood people here.
That said, my personal experience as a newcomer was disappointing--and concerning.
After a service, during a time of fellowship at a restaurant, a wisecrack was made by a man I had never met and who had no idea who I was.
It was directed at me for speaking with a married woman who knew I was new and was simply being friendly and welcoming.
I found it offensive and inappropriate--especially as a first-time visitor trying to connect.
When I brought the wisecrack to leadership's attention, I felt dismissed and that the situation was minimized. That response, in itself, was offensive. Still, I chose to move forward, believing things would improve.
Instead, I began to notice a shift. My interactions changed--there was distance, less responsiveness, and I felt as though I was purposely being avoided. I brought that to leadership's attention as well.
When I raised this again to leadership via email, there was no response. In essence, my concerns were avoided rather than addressed. I never went back after that.
These things cannot go unnoticed. We are called to let our light shine, especially in moments like this--and that didn't happen here.
First impressions matter. For someone new, they often determine whether a person feels welcomed or quietly pushed away.
For context, I'm a small business owner and naturally approach people with openness, respect, and professionalism.
I came in with a genuine desire to connect and be part of the community.
In fact, when I first visited, I heard about an upcoming marriage conference and offered to sponsor a couple in need so they could attend, even though I'm single.
I was looking for ways to contribute and support others from the start.
Unfortunately, I eventually felt misjudged rather than welcomed, and I made the decision to step away.
My two-star rating reflects that experience. I do encourage others to visit and form their own opinion--I sincerely hope mine is not the norm.
But I also hope this is taken seriously, because how new people are treated matters more than most realize.