I want to start by saying that this church really disappointed me. It wasn't what I thought a church should be like, and it honestly made me feel pretty upset. Don't get me wrong--I think Pastor Wendell is a really nice guy, and his teaching was good. But when I was little, between the ages of four and eight, I went to this church, and those years taught me that not all churches are what they seem. Some don't really feel like they're there for you.
I do believe all Christian churches are trying to worship God and teach people about Him, but this church seems to have lost its way. It felt like they cared more about their school than the actual church. I remember being in Sunday school and getting bullied by kids just because I didn't go to their academy. And honestly, it wasn't just the kids. Some of the Sunday school teachers, who were also teachers at the school, would say things about me being homeschooled or ask rude questions about my mom in a way that didn't feel kind at all.
My mom also had a rough time there. She was always volunteering in the children's ministry, but she rarely got to attend the service herself. They would just put her on the schedule without asking, so she never got to hear the message. At the church we go to now, there's a rule that you have to attend one of the services before you volunteer, and I think that's such a good idea because it makes sure you're getting something out of it too.
Another big issue was how judgmental people could be. My mom wore jeans instead of skirts, and people would make comments about it, like that wasn't "church-appropriate." I get that dressing modestly is important, but it's not right for people to judge others for not following some unspoken dress code. It made us feel like we didn't belong.
The thing that bothered me the most, though, was how much the church focused on their school. They even built a big extension, and I thought it would be for more worship space, but it was just for the school. It feels like they care more about running the school than taking care of the people in the church. A church should be about the church family, not just another program.
I really hope this church has gotten better over the years. I'll still pray for them, but honestly, it's hard to believe they've changed much. I just hope they remember what being a church is really about--caring for people, loving others, and helping everyone grow closer to God. read more
