Phoenix area church recommendations?

[SiblingRevelry]

Anyone have recommendations for a good church in the Phoenix area? One that won't be too hard on a woman who feels half-naked when she puts on a dress (i.e., backslider who is much more comfortable in slacks)?

[chaotic_resolve]

Depending on where in the Phoenix Metro area:

Phoenix - The Pentecostals of Phoenix, Pastor Rob Bibb - UPC
Tempe - Christ Life Church, Pastor Philip Goldsberry - Non-Denominational

[CC1]

I second the motion regarding Christ Life Church pastored by my old JCM fellow student and former Christ Church Associate Pastor Phil Goldsberry.

The church has a UPC background in that it was founded by an exUPC pastor Jim Roam who died a couple of years or so ago.

I understand the church runs around 500-800 people so it is big enough to have a lot going on but small enough that you won't get lost.

In spite of what CC1 has intimated, please do not hesitate to visit Rob Bibb's church. His wife is an old Bible school classmate of mine! Rob is a moderate and I assure you you would be welcomed and made comfortable there!

[Thad]

Are you looking for a UPC church ? XUPC ??

There are 3 or 4 XUPC churches Liberal - Knutson, Goldsberry, Combs(formally Roam's) and another one that is slipping my mind (JCM Grad)

and a few XUPC ultra conservative churches (from what you said that wouldn't be what you are after lol) Abbott and Garrett


There are a few moderate Liberal UPC churches like Bibs and Hudson.

moderate conservative are Hogan and McCarey.

[Jekyll]

Originally Posted by CC1

I second the motion regarding Christ Life Church pastored by my old JCM fellow student and former Christ Church Associate Pastor Phil Goldsberry.

The church has a UPC background in that it was founded by an exUPC pastor Jim Roam who died a couple of years or so ago.

I understand the church runs around 500-800 people so it is big enough to have a lot going on but small enough that you won't get lost.

You can find him on the radio everyday in the jungle...oh, that's ROAM not ROME

[Thad]

I seroiusly Doubt if you'd like the church Comb's pastors now. At one time it was UPC but dan Scott made it into a catholic church (episcopalian) in worship and in practice. Comb's has tried to change it back a little.

[SiblingRevelry]

So I did go to church today...and got to hear a full-blown sermon on the subject of tithing. This UPC pastor was preaching strongly against the spirit of Tobiah (see the book of Nehemiah) in the church. I am a polite person, so I waited him out (i.e., I sat there through the entire thing like a good girl and just let it wash over me). But this pastor was very clear that he is entitled to all the tithing monies. I'll be honest, that set my teeth on edge, particularly since he made it a heaven or hell issue. In his preaching, if you weren't paying in the proper amount of tithing, you would go to hell. And he made it particularly clear that it isn't tithing unless you tithe on the gross.

I have to admit, this guy was a very good speaker, but the tithing and the grandiose plans he's got rather put me off. I particularly noted that although they had an outreach some months back that brought in quite a few visitors to the church over a couple of weekends, it didn't seem to have made a huge impact on the membership all these months later. But the pastor wanted to hand out thousands of fliers yet again this weekend. He wants to have a thousand members in a couple of years.

I did note this for Thad's benefit: this guy mentioned that he wanted to advertise on TV and "it's been approved."

[deadeye]

Rob Bibb is more liberal than moderate, Knudson, is no longer pastoring, he is going to Stacy Wileys church in Peoria.

A very good man and pastor is Bro Gary Hogan, a good balanced man that will treat you right. I dont think you could go wrong there.

All of these men that I mentioned are friends of mine, ....guess it just depends on your preferance.

[Steve Epley]

Whatever happened to Outlaws' church in Phoenix?