1 /5 Richard Ha: I’ve attended and served at this church for 3–4 years, and I want to highlight both its strengths and areas for improvement.
Strengths:
Teaching – The church offers robust teachings that present multiple perspectives, encouraging deeper thinking and engagement with various topics.
Areas for Improvement:
Community – Outside of summer, the church invests little time or resources into fostering a church-wide community. If youre married or already have a strong social circle, this may not be an issue, but if youre hoping to build meaningful connections here, dont expect much support.
Communication – Despite multiple points of feedback, the church struggles with real-time communication. While the website and teachings are strong, scheduling, announcements, and important updates are often delayed, inconsistent, or entirely absent.
Serving Requirements – Volunteering now requires signing a behavior contract, which includes stipulations such as mandatory financial giving, restrictions on social media (as if Jesus had an Instagram), prohibitions on flirting, cohabitation, and even traveling overnight one-on-one.
In my early years at this church, things were very different. Volunteers were appreciated, and the church regularly held events that celebrated them and fostered community through fun social gatherings. Unfortunately, that sense of gratitude and connection has disappeared, replaced by rigid rules and institutional policies that make the church feel unfamiliar.
Additionally, the church has increasingly shifted toward relying on visions and intangibles, moving away from the structured, thoughtful teachings that originally drew me in. While teaching remains decent, it is becoming increasingly charismatic in nature.
I realize that sharing this publicly may reflect on me in a way I don’t intend. However, after numerous attempts to address these concerns directly—through one-on-one conversations and constructive feedback—I’ve seen no change. In fact, I’ve even been stood up for meetings with leadership. The final straw was being sent a behavior contract in a group chat for a ministry I had served in for years—without any prior discussion or transparency regarding its contents.
Unfortunately, like many institutions, it seems that only a public review garners real attention. I sincerely hope that this feedback is taken seriously. I also understand the personal consequences of speaking out and that I may no longer be welcomed here. Still, I believe it’s important to be honest, and I will be seeking community and learning elsewhere.
