This review is to help those who don't feel they are valued in this church. You are not alone…read more While there is an overwhelming amount of positive reviews of Rock City Church, they are not all genuine. Bishop Bart Pierce, and his leadership team push, and almost force members to leave positive reviews to counteract the negative ones that are slowly coming forward. Any comments you see of the abnormal amount of control the founder, Bishop Bart Pierce has over the congregation is 100% true. I have been a member for many, many years, and I have seen how those in the congregation idolize him. I used to be one of them. He is idolized almost to the point where he is just a step under God. No one makes a move in life unless Bishop approves it. Whether spiritually or personally. This is because Bishop is supposed to be the main prophet over the house. But, even if God is telling a member of the congregation something else outside of the vision Bishop has, he will not only shoot it down, but he will berate you and chastise you for being outside the will of God. While it is fair that not everyone will agree on God's direction for one's life, it's scary to give one man so much control over the trajectory of one's personal life choices.
While he is an exceptional and illustrative speaker, behind the scenes, he is very condescending and threatening to those whom he does not value. Bishop Bart Pierce has his favorites in the church, but those who are not considered to be as such are under his harsh thumb. I have personally seen him threaten people's positions at the church if they do not fall into his standards. He once threatened a man's job at the church in the middle of a sermon! Like on stage in front of everyone!
I've seen him yell at people to the point where other members witnessing his outburst go and cry in the bathroom. It's hard to see someone who is supposed to be a loving Pastor be so monstrous behind the scenes. He loves to tell people how they are not important enough for the devil to care about them. And he also loves to tell the congregation how important he is because of his life experience and how much pomp and circumstance follow him around during his many travels.
I personally interpret this as him having a heavy amount of pride. And while I do think he loves God, I don't think he loves people. At least the people he doesn't find important. He would speak during some sermons of the days before he was saved. He was called black Bart back then. In my experience with this Pastor, he is still Black Bart in the church. And unfortunately, his pride and conceit trickle down to other leaders in the church. It's almost as if, if you are not on good terms with Bishop Bart Pierce, you are not on good terms with many leaders in the church. And if this happens, you are ostracized. People you thought were your friends will distance themselves from you. They will even talk about you behind your back. A couple of members who do this are Julie Traut and Darlene Marshall. They are completely devoted to the vision and direction of Bishop Bart Pierce. To the point where they will shun and gossip about anyone whom he deems invaluable.
On the flipside, the establishment of rock city church has done great things for people who would've otherwise not had any place to go and worship and attempt to find some sort of community. So, while the institution itself is very helpful to those looking for a place to Try and find community, it's also not completely safe for those who hope to be vulnerable with a church family. So my advice is to take advantage of the resources. Bishop Bart Pierce has already done the work and created a place for people to worship, go to school and participate in sports and year-round events. So take full advantage until you find a safer place. But if you feel ostracized or that something is just not quite right, listen to that voice. I would also recommend not getting too close to the leadership. Unless you become a favorite of Bart Pierce, then you're good. But if you're not, I would be weary of letting any of them into your close circle.
Again, this message is for those who somehow feel undervalued at Rock City Church. This message is not intended to deter you from attending this church; it's rather to help you protect your heart from pain and heartbreak caused by betrayal. And not just at the church, but at the connected nonprofits. For example, a lot of girls at the hiding place, the shelter for pregnant women, have stories of how the pastors residing at the house have no compassion or love towards them in their most vulnerable state. It's a hard place to be when you have nowhere else to go.
I do not think this place is a place of love. At least not that is described in the Bible. It oozes with judgment, conceit, and Condemnation.
