Canvas Church — Attraction in Kalispell

I'll start by saying I love the people at Canvas. They're wonderful, warm, and friendly, unlike most churches. They're sincere, and they love Jesus. I spent two to three years worshiping at Canvas and serving on the greeting team, so it was hard to leave. That said, I struggle with the whole concept of "seeker-friendly" and "attractional" churches. Their main goal is to draw in people without a church background, and they use lots of whistles, bells, and gimmicks to do so: loud music, flashing lights, smoke, etc. When we do so, we cater to a level of shallowness and self-centeredness. We don't believe people will come to church for a quality, reverent, holy experience, just entertainment. As a musician, I'm selective about music, but I'm willing to overlook worship songs and styles I don't connect to, as long as they aren't too loud. A friend of mine measured the worship one evening at almost 100 decibels! That loudness can cause physical discomfort and hearing damage. Also, the pastor often uses "shock-jock" tactics to make people laugh uncomfortably for the sake of being "real" and "relatable". I love a good sense of humor, but I take exception to hearing inappropriate things from the pulpit. If you see church as entertainment and like the contemporary style and don't mind a superficial type of Christianity, Canvas is a good fit for you. However, if you want a more traditional, reverent, deeper dive into your faith in Christ,...

This church has so many problems. The majority of the people who have attended for a long time have left because the pastor and board are stuck in their ways and refuse to listen to any advice. They are all about being an attractional church model as well as being a mega church. The youth pastor is a joke and he’s very immature. He doesn’t know how to deal with any conflict and he picks favorites. However this make sense due to the fact that every other youth pastor at canvas has been a disaster too. The other youth leaders have no business helping out and mentoring teens when they themselves aren’t in good places. The worship is too loud and it’s like being at a concert. Newsflash: I’m not at church to watch a 45 year old man who wears tighter skinny jeans than teenagers and thinks he’s Mick Jagger sing. They perform new and “improved” Christian songs that are more focused on the “I” factor than the “God” factor. Every sermon has the same message. The pastor never goes in depth or touches on controversial subjects. He uses immature bathroom humor and thinks he is hilarious. Every message mentions the Seahawks football team or another “lesser” team. The pastor is all about bringing in new people (which is great) except once the new people come in they are left to fend for themselves. Honestly avoid this church. Try Grace Church, or Central Bible, or Crossroads. These are all...

I started attending Canvas regularly a couple years ago. I've read though the reviews and I've decided to leave my own.I love the praise and worship portion and I can actually feel the presence of God there. It is loud as it should be. We are praising God. As for Pastor Kevin he is 100% human and relatable. Who cares what he is wearing? I find him more relatable in his hoodie joking around and spreading the word happily. He is himself. He's not putting on a professional persona that isn't 100% real. He is who he is and that's what we get. I have to say I'm thankful for that. We drive from Polson every week and we pick up friends on our way. We all adore Kevin. We love Canvas and not only would I recommend it, I actively invite people. One of them was recently baptized after attending a few times. I'm grateful for Pastor Kevin and his sermons and I don't care what he is wearing. What he preaches resonates. I know when I go to church I'm going to visit Jesus and I don't believe he cares if Kevin wears a hoodie. (Or likes Jeeps) Keep up the good work. I always looking forward to Sunday service and yes it's the...