Emmanuel Faith Commnity Church
639 E Felicita Ave
Escondido
California
92025
Senior Pastor:
Dennis Keating
Denomination:
Non-Denominational
Huge Missions & Community Focus, So Very Conservative
This church LOVES Jesus, His word, missions and it's community. It is also disturbingly non-diverse. In fact, just this weekend the paster was teaching on Acts 13 and was adamant about the church's love and openness of diversity. Yet, as I looked around the auditorium, I saw nothing but Caucasians, with a few Latina scattered about.
The quality of music is hit or miss, but there is no doubting the sincerity of those leading the worship.
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Hi Priscilla, I noticed you only gave the church one for friendliness. Is that because of the lack of diversity or something else?
Hi Helen,
I've been attending the church since last October and not one person has ever approached me to say hello, ask a question, nothin'. During the oh-so-awkward "shake a hand and say hello" time, not one person has genuinely interacted with me.
Priscilla
Priscilla
Thanks for reviewing on Church Rater
Are you saying that in the last 10 months whenever you attend NOT ONE PERSON has interacted with you in any meaningful way?
If That is the case can you explain to me how you can possibly say that "This church LOVES Jesus, His word, missions and it's community. It"
Hey Jim,
While I have experienced connection at Emmanual Faith Community Church (EFCC), it has been of my pursuit, not because anyone has sought me out. I have known of this church for several years, having been a worker in a local mission that is supported by EFCC. Every week a missionary they support is highlighted, with details given as to how to pray for them. There are regular community out-reaches. The teaching is excellent, leaving no doubt as to how the Pastor feels about the word of God.
Now, when I think of "friendliness" I think the church I used to attend a few cities away. The greeting team at that church is very strategic in how they meet new faces and try hard to connect those new people with other people of similar likes and interests. The Pastor there regularly encourages the regulars to meet at least one new person every service and then be sure to connect with them the next week, if not personally thru out the week.
EFCC is a large church that isn't very good at meeting new people.
Who sets the "tone" in a church for how newcomers or strangers are treated, whether or not they are approached, etc?
How do church members learn what role they should or could have with regard to interacting with new faces & people there they have never met?
It seems like there should be a number of opportunities to change the culture in a church, but I would guess it would only be effective if it came from the top down - ?.
For example, the person announcing the (awkward) moment in which people turn & shake hands with their "neighbor" could incorporate some tips on ice breakers at group meetings - suggesting people share something meaningful, or ask something personal.
And the pastor could stress, in his/her sermons, the takehome points from the NT on actually interacting with & accepting those around you.
Oh, and if need be, there could be a Welcome Committee...but what a shame to have to need something so official to welcome strangers!
...
Maybe we should compare this to other types of communities?
I'm thinking of a house party for instance. It's sort of the role of the host/hostess to keep an eye peeled for someone being "left out" or "not engaged". Who does this in a "church"?
Is it related to the culture at large? Are Americans more afraid of other people/the stranger than people in other cultures?
Is it a function of wealth combined with fear? Like the insiders are relatively wealthy, in terms of social capital, and perhaps fear ... loss of some of that capital/dilution of some of that capital. ??
... Eliza touches on something. The churches I've been familiar with have mostly been "top down" organizations, so it does seem like the person/people at the top should take some steps to change the social coldness. But maybe it has to do with *their* fear? of loss of power/position? Or them seeing themselves as "at the top" rather than Jesus take on the leadership as being "at the bottom"?
just rambling a bit here.
Hey Jim,
About your comment about Emanuel Faith.
"If That is the case can you explain to me how you can possibly say that "This church LOVES Jesus, His word, missions and it's community. It"
I go to a church that says it love's Jesus too, but getting people to just reach across the pew and talk to each other and really connect just seems to hard for us to do.
comments please
John, it seems to me that people who are following Jesus will be friendly. He seemed to have no problem doing things like noticing Zaccheus up the tree and saying "Hey let's have dinner together"
John
Wow, how did you come across this particular rating? Do you know about the original church or the person doing the rating?
I agree with Helen that it strikes me as odd that chuches say they love Jesus (who told us that when we love others we ARE loving him) while at the same time not even saying HI to the people who walk in their doors for church services.
Does that strike you as odd?
I knew friends who went there long ago.
The church stuck out as one that had a good reputation, HOWEVER I keep bumping into all these great churches that really suck when it come to meeting and connecting with people on Sunday Morning.
My wife and I are on the Welcome Team. It's sad that we have to have a Welcome. Can' all the friends of Jesus just love on all the people that come as guest on Sunday.
Any insight for me.
Jim and Helen,
Wife and I are commited to our local church. But are heart is breaking with the way we treat people on Sunday. I don't want to talk about how we treat the missing Monday- Saturday, that is another story.
Have either of you read:
SIMPLE CHURCH
PRESENT FUTURE??
TAKE CARE,
JOHN
John, I don't know what to tell you - when I went to church I used to greet people, not because I was assigned a greeter role (I wasn't) - just because it seemed important to me. I don't know why other people don't do that.
I was a member of EFCC for over 12 years and only left because we moved to Iowa 5 years ago. I wish we had a local church half as good. I was involved in all kinds of ministries there, leading Men's groups, small group Bible studies, etc. I found the church to be very friendly; however, this is a typical weakness in a large church. If you have 1,000 people attending each service, it's almost impossible for regular attenders to even know who the visitors are. No one wants to look stupid. Sometimes it takes taking the initiative in striking up conversations. But the meaningful relationships are not made in a church service; they're made in one of the small group environments: a Sunday School class, a Bible study, inviting someone out to lunch or dinner to get to know them. I know Emmanuel Faith has MANY opportunities for people to get involved with others. Sometimes it just takes an initial effort on our part to get things started. When we attended there were always people who tried to make others feel welcome, direct them to the information they needed, etc. Having said all that, you can attend EFCC (or any large church) and feel "lost" if you're not willing to make some effort to get involved in something.
All the more reason when a church gets that size for people to not whole back.
Yes, I know that if I am looking to get involved in a big church I will have to be intention.
I can not wait for the club members to reach out to me. So sad!!!!
What about a seeker? Do we expect them to also be intention in seeking.
What do you think you and I can do to make it more connecting on Sunday Morning?
How can we reach Africa, if we can't reach across the pew.
Love to hear your thots.
take care,
john (recovering club member)
I attended EFCC for a number of years and believe that it is somewhat typical of many churches. The emphasis is almost entirely on biblical knowledge as a barometer of spiritual maturity. Their is no emphasis or even speaking about living a life of discipleship (outside of ones private personal relationship with Christ). The values of the church are security, comfort ant respectability. EFCC first is a religious corporation. If one thinks of church as a gathering of people committed to a life of living the way Jesus would live your life, this is not the place.
Most of my friends attend EFCC and I love them. I love many of the staff and pastors, but am saddened by churches that view their role as being neither in or of the world; islands of refuge from and seclusion from culture.