The Church Without Walls

This church has potential but doesn’t make the cut. I’ve been searching for a church since moving to Houston. I’ve been attending this location for 8 weeks. Why has the pastor been absent for the past 8 weeks when it comes to ministering to the church? Last Sunday was a pastor; from New York, who fits the passage Matthew 7:23. I said this week is the last straw, if the senior pastor does not minister today then it’s time to continue my search. Well, he didn’t he speak and another pastor from New York did AGAIN! On top of that this church has the audacity to incorporate politics by bringing Sheila Jackson Lee to speak and rally support for her run for mayor! The Bible says “My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” My fellowship will continue just not here.

I enjoy my church and fellowship. The church is centrally located in Northwest Houston and easily accesible from many major streets. I have been an active member here for 19 years and have participated in so many great events and ministries. I'm blessed to have not only matured in Christ but to have grown in my walk w/God, but also to see my children love church and understand the importance of worship. Our Senior Pastor, Ralph Douglas West Jr., is not only a genuine storyteller, but his humility and undeniable love of Christ shines through each and every sermon, bible study, workshop, service, ceremony, celebration and community event. I am proud to be a member of this inclusive, God-loving, family focused, and spritually healthy congregation. I am TCWW!

My wife and I attended this church for a few months. They have a good community (humongous), but it wasn’t quite right for us personally as a mixed race family. Music, great. However they have had some visiting musicians that played questionable songs with lyrics like “I’m gonna get my blessing right now” … This is not biblically sound and reveals a underlying prosperity gospel. Crossing the line a few times with the song lyrics. There is a huge lack in diversity. My wife is black and I am white. You can tell based off the bookstore and sermons that there is a enormous focus on black excellence, to the point I did not feel welcomed, and I don’t believe our mixed race son would fit in with the other kids. I also didn’t see anything that led me to believe that they wanted to reach out to people who aren’t black. From my opinion, this is the church where wealthy black business owners go to network and talk about football, rather than hear the gospel. There is also too much focus on the pastor and not enough on the message. All that being said I have no doubt that the church is filled with good Christians who want to serve the Lord well.