What follows is a review about a Christian church, which you can read at your discretion. It is not proselytizing, nor is it evangelical; it simply is.
Bearing that in mind...
As a gay guy who's had mixed history with churches but still always having been a believer, it was relieving to me to have a church within a stone's throw of where I live that balances great worship, true-to-the-heart messages, and a welcoming environment for whomever walks in.
One of my friends had told me about the church (which is funny because I'd learnt later from a mutual friend of ours that he's never actually been) and so one Sunday in June I'd made my way in. What followed was a couple of the pastors engaging me in a series of hellos and get-to-know-ya conversations. For introvert me, it was a little overwhelming; it was nice, still, that people had taken an interest in engaging with me. They do it authentically, too.
It's really like a family, one that gets along most of the time and has failings like any other. The congregation embraces its failings, and, by God, He makes people shine through and learn from them. It's also a very blended family, with gay, lesbian, bisexual, straight, transgender, asexual, and all other kinds of people congregating under one roof. It does tend to lean G and L in attendance, though.
The worship and style of dress is casual. I've come to find they have certain songs that resonate with the church body, and they get a bit of airplay compared to some others (there are even a few songs the worship leader and pastor Deb Rodríguez had written or interpreted herself); every so often you'll get a surprise song you've never heard which amps worship even more. The majority of the worship service has the lyrics of the songs on projection so one can actually engage in singing (whether or not one feels one actually can).
The messages have as different styles as they have the pastors who give them. Some elicit mounds of laughter, while others have one about to cry in happiness and in the feeling of God's glory. There is the constant theme that God doesn't care who you are, and Keith Peri, the senior pastor, has an annual "You Can Be GLBT and Christian" sermon (via http://www.glbtchurch.com/media/).
The church also hosts a bible study/small group get-together most Wednesdays on-site (with it sometimes using an inspiring, thought-provoking, and message-filled book as a focus) and Sunday School on Sunday mornings at 10:00am before the main service at 11:00am. I've had many thoughtful discussions and lessons in both.
The church does have a membership format, though they don't require it. As a member, the only requirements, if one may call them such, are fairly regular attendance, faithful giving, and participating some way in the church body.
And that's it in a nutshell. read more