Grace Creek Church — Attraction in Longview

I came to this Church as a guest with a friend of mine who is a "member". We walked in and the people at the doors were really friendly. The people standing around never spoke to either of us. I was shown a couple of Pastors and a couple of ladies who sang, but no one ever greeted me or my friend...who was a "member". We got our bulletins and sat down. People were walking up and down the aisles and were greeting, shaking hands with other folks around us, seated in front of us...and not one person said hello to either of us. Male or female. I asked what was going on, because I had heard that this Church was so "welcoming" to visitors. If you can't even be welcoming to a member...why would anyone want to visit this Church. It was explained to me that this Church was extremely cliquish. If you are new to this Church, it was almost like you are an outcast. I was told that there are some women who are welcomed with "open arms" by other women, but some women are treated like they are invisible. Why would women want to come to a Church where they are treated like they were in high school? Left out because they aren't as rich or as popular. Going to Church should be about Worshipping God...not who has more money or popularity. I will not be back to this Church. I have advised my friend to find a different Church as most of her friends have done. It is my Prayer that she will take my advice as I feel that she deserves a Church that is for everyone, not just those who the Church feels are beneficial to themselves. As for the Pastor and his wife...they are the same way. Very cliquish. You can see it when they "greet" people as they leave the Church. With all the "security" you would think that there is something going on other than Worship. Here is an idea. Why don't you treat the people who Worship in your congregation like THEY matter...instead of how important YOU are...your motto is Reaching People Building Lives, but that doesn't mean that you should ignore or be better than the people who helped you when you needed them...to buy a huge Church so you can have security walk around with you...or act better than the visitors who walk through...

Starting off there is no advantage of being a man at this church. There is a women's ministry, but nothing for men. The one mens event they have is nothing but food and sports. The men are STRONGLY encouraged to volunteer in the parking lot and can't volunteer everywhere, while women CAN. People whom are veteran volunteers are entitled, and believe that they have the right to decide if you can volunteer in "their" area. Even the pastor likes to plug "jokes" about how men are always messing up and how we are inferior. Every once in a while is okay, but EVERY message is ridiculous! It looks like he is overcompensating for the woke culture going on in the world. Jesus commands us to be in the world and not of the world, and his messages are leaning towards the latter. Maybe avoid insulting men with passive aggressive jabs. Start up a men's ministry to truly be equal. We need to teach men how to be real men in Christ and not some apologetic, yes ma'am, man. Jesus NEVER apologized for telling the truth, so why are you? Men are the head of the household, so act like it. You are the pastor of the church, not your wife. It is great that you love her, but stop deferring to her when you speak and deliver the message. I need to find a better church that has a men's ministry and has men actively teaching each other and getting together in more than small groups. Maybe it is something I will have to start up myself. I will pray over it to get God's will on that, but one thing that IS perfectly clear; this is not the church for me or anyone who is old school real Christian. I wish you all the best and pray that your leaders wake up to the whole Bible and Jesus teachings. It is good that I can't put zero stars. I suspect that I will never step foot in Grace Creek...

If you want to be a part of a church where you're constantly an outcast unless you are their exact version of "the perfect christian", while being excluded from volunteering in your own community bcuz of an 8 year old misdemeanor marijuana charge (keep in mind I am 20-30 yo. so i am young but when i was younger i made a mistake, i did my time, i am not the person from 8 years ago and i had previously been allowed to volunteer with the charge on my record... ) but since had changed their rules,I was the only member in a sea of 1000s that was denied the right to help my community; or if you want the substitute pastor to verbally bully you and your immediate family by telling other members of the church "not to walkin in christ" with this family.....and that hurt, trying to deny MY family the "spiritual family" that they preach about so very often... ... Then this is definitely the place for you. I won't ever be going back and was a member for about 7.5-9 years.

As someone that struggles with my faith, in short, this place made me not really want to go to another church, like ever.

ps. not looking to start a war or even a conversation but wanted to help someone whom may be looking for their church home thinking that this house of god is just the best most friendly place,,, its a facade and this...