First Baptist Church — Local services in Dallas

I hadn't been to church in 13 years before coming here. Every church I'd been to - for my entire life (high school - adult) was a boring experience where the pastor just said things I already knew. Every church I went to felt like an "into to Christianity" church. I wanted to learn something new, and I was tired of the "well, you have to join our small groups" line. No, I want to learn something new in the main service.

I came here after watching Dr. Jeffress' online sermons. This church is over an hour away from me, and I honestly don't even care. I'd drive 3 hours for this church if I had to. Dr. Jeffress' sermons are always learning experiences. Here's what I love most about them: (1) He knows so many Hebrew roots for Biblical words. It's amazing to learn that some mundane English word, in Hebrew, was actually two English words, and that this English verse actually has multiple meanings, all of which make perfect sense. As an analogy: Shakespeare is hard for me to read. But apparently, if you understood Shakespeare's English, not only are the stories good, but the way he wrote them is almost beyond comprehension. With Dr. Jeffress, I get that feeling with the Bible: like he is able to bring out all these meanings I couldn't get myself just by reading it. (2) His pacing is excellent. The sermons aren't too long - ever. I've never been in a church service where I felt the sermons could be too short - until this church. On multiple occasions, I've been sad that the sermon is over because I wanted to hear more. This has NEVER happened to me before. (3) He makes contemporary jokes and uses contemporary examples, but not in an "adult trying to be cool to kids" way like some pastors do. He keeps you engaged, but isn't faking anything. (4) He doesn't pull any punches. Many pastors try to "niceify" the Bible for "modern audiences." Some pastors worry the Bible might "offend" people, so they distort its meaning to cater to "modern" (aka "woke") audiences. I don't go to Church to hear the messages of this world, I go to hear God's message. And Dr. Jeffress never sugar-coats God's Word.

Two other things about First Baptist that I like and I would have liked to know when I was hesitating about coming here before my first visit: (1) They don't tell you to turn to the person next to you and introduce yourself. Personally, I never liked that. I'm glad they don't do that. (2) They don't pass an offering plate. If you want to donate, you can do it online, or drop your donation in a box on your way out. They don't do the "peer pressure plate" method, as I sometimes think of it.

I love this church, and I can't imagine ever going to...

My husband and I had an opportunity to come and work for his company in Dallas it was a great opportunity we live in Kentucky. My mother who also lives in Kentucky and also is not in Great health has always had one big dream of being able to one day attend you're beautiful Church and meeting pastor Jeffries. You know it did a lot for me and my sisters so we could give my mom this ultimate gift it was like God helped us along the way by putting us here in Dallas to work and open every door for my mother to get that one dream. Sunday morning when we arrived at your beautiful Church I watch my mother cry. We met some beautiful wonderful people that showed us around and explain the structure it was a great experience.. My mom knows the singers names and she could tell you what there is to know about each and every one and even the members that was part of orchestra it was a beautiful experience to watch my mother and the look in her face. But upon leaving service we are out looking out the windows at the fountains and then here come Mr Jeffriesb walking to the exits. I thought my mom was going to die there on the spot!! I never seen my mom so excited. She even started crying I said Mr Jeffries my mother flew in last night from KY just to be here to hopefully even meet you... I understand the whole covid scare and everything.. I get that... my mom was even vaccinated before her trip and she kept her mask on all through service. But it was so disheartening that the only thing that Mr jeffries could say after telling him what she did to get here was I'm sorry but social distancing I can't risk it.. and walked away..I understand that you didn't need to shake her hand anything like that you could have kept six feet but I'm so ashamed to think a man of your stature that preaches God's word cannot give my mom 3 minutes of your time.. To just talk to her for a min. I have never seen somebody so hurt in my life.. I know your reason is going to be the whole covid.. nobody was asking you to hug touch or anything but you could have gave her 3 minutes.. you preached about discouragement that day you know whats really sad you planted a lot of discouragement in my mother that day.. It's heartbreaking and I'm ashamed. I hope...

I have attended this church for the past few years and there are so many things to love about it. The singing is the best I have ever experienced. The Sunday school classes are great, and the friendly parishioners make FBD a great place to worship. Unfortunately there are things that have caused me to leave in recent months. Here is a list:

1. Pastor Jeffress endorsed heretic Paula White's book. Even after being approached about his disappointing endorsement by fellow pastors, etc he unfortunately did not have a change of heart. It is the job of a pastor to protect the sheep from the wolves.

2. During the shutdown, Pastor J was MIA. Instead of encouraging and leading his flock during a crisis he played reruns of old sermons. What was he doing all of those weeks if he wasn't preparing for Sunday? Was disappointed he was available to be on FOX but not available on Sunday mornings. Have felt for awhile that the members of FBD were not his number 1 priority.

3. Applying for 2-5 million dollars worth of PPP loans. Why is a mega church that is worth millions and pays zero taxes applying for millions of dollars in taxpayer money that they do not have to pay back? Maybe there is a good reason for this that I am not aware of, but I am extremely concerned whenever a church gets in bed with the government.

4. Allowing a politician to electioneer on a Sunday morning from the pulpit when it should be reserved for teaching of the Word. Jesus's name is the name to be praised on Sunday morning, not politicians.

5. I want a Pastor not a celebrity. A shepherd whose number one focus is the flock under his care.

6. He advocates tithing to get a blessing, otherwise you will be cursed. Why is he trying to put his congregants under the Mosaic law? We are supposed to give cheerfully and not under compulsion. This seems to be a common practice with...