I stumbled upon this site and felt compelled to write. I have attended Celebration for about 3 years now. Like many, I found this church when things were at a low for me. I came from a background that soured me on ""church"" and I attended very sporadically over the years. I was the ultimate skeptic. I left my first service with an overwhelming feeling in my heart and I have rarely missed a service since. While I felt that Pastor Joe was very charismatic and that he was speaking directly to me...it was more about finding God in my heart than it was about Pastor Joe. I love Pastor Joe. He is funny and goofy, very uplifting and obviously very very passionate in his love of Jesus and spreading his word. I leave every service feeling uplifted and energetic rather than guilty as I have in other churches. But it is more about the church as a whole, not just the Pastor. I look around and I see the energy in the youth at this church. I see the raw, unashamed passion and tears in the members around me. I see the genuine compassion and goodwill of others as I am greeted, not by one or two, but by many each week.
No other Pastor, Father, Priest, Decon, what ever, has ever compelled me to do one simple thing. Open my bible and read it. Celebration Church, the church as a whole, not the Pastor, the Church and the presence of Jesus caused that. That is what church is about.
I am not sure what services some of the people writing reviews have been too, but....
I know the church believes in tithes. I personally do not tithe, but I do give generously, more than I ever have. No one has EVER suggested that I was not giving enough or made me feel uneasy.
Sometimes I raise my hands in worship and sometimes I don't. It comes from my heart and no one has ever made me feel uneasy either way.
I go to the early service. After it is done, Pastor Joe stands at the front and greets members. I never had to run a gauntlet to get to him and he has never failed to shake my hand and give me a smile when I offered him my hand. I don't stand around and talk to him and would not expect him to seek me, or anyone else out. He has usually less than 30 minutes before the next service starts and I imagine he is pretty pressed for time.
On the subject of speaking in tongues. The first I heard of it was during a growth track a year ago. During a Mens session it was briefly addressed. Basically we were told if it happens it happens. No one expected it or pushed it.
So many speak of giving their time and money and getting nothing in return. Christianity is about giving, not getting. Never give if your only concern is what you get back materially.
Does it bother or concern me that Pastor Joe makes a salary of 150,000.00 a year or that the church provides him a nice vehicle? My wife and I combined make more than that in very ""blue collar"" jobs in Austin. Its not that much... Would I do what Pastor Joe does for that money? I don't think so. Would I do it if the Lord asked me. In a heartbeat.
The bottom line is that Pastor Joe did not bring me to God. God did. God brought me to a place where I could find him for the first time in my life. No other place has ever done that.
Pastor Joe told us once ""I will never embarrass you and I hope that you do the same."" He has held his end of the bargain and I hope I have too. He also preaches that we should never be where God does not want us to be. Maybe you were not were you were supposed to be? I hope you find that place and I hope it is as good for you as this one is for me and many others.
Pros: Uplifting
more