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Ecclesia Church
Rating Details »
Category: Religious Organizations [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Fourth Ward, Montrose2115 Taft St
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-3533
7 reviews for Ecclesia Church
Please take with a grain of salt some of the comments of Cory O. While she gave an overall positive review, her description gives the appearance to the reader that Ecclesia is exists as a fashionable hot spot or something. I am sure she means well, but the description is not really accurate at all.
Ecclesia believes "the Church exists for the world and not for herself", a statement that tends to contradict the notion that Ecclesia is the place to be seen. The church building itself is multipurpose: it is a worship sanctuary, an art gallery, a recording studio, a coffee house and a performing venue. This fact is consistent with Ecclesia's rejecting "unfounded categories that divide the world into uniquely sacred or purely secular".
It is true that lots of young adults seem to be drawn to their services, and the tats and piercings certainly are plentiful. But there are also married couples, partnered couples, families and your-average-everyday-run-of-the-mill-singles as well. I have been attending four years and I am in my fifties. It would be more accurate to say that Ecclesia attracts the unchurched, those who are broken, especially if their brokenness has been at least partially attributed to being exposed to harsh religiosity.
Instead of hearing the oft-repeated message of other churches that you will go to hell if you do not accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, Ecclesia takes a different approach. Ecclesia "embraces the teachings and divinity of Jesus Christ as well as His unique role as the means of salvation from sin for all who believe." See how different that mission statement sounds? It is far less judgmental than the hell-and-brimstone message described in the beginning of this paragraph.
In fact, judgment is something I've never encountered at Ecclesia. Because if a church is going to quote Leviticus 18:22 or 20:13 when identifying homosexuality as a sin, then a church also needs to talk about lying, cheating, coveting and countless other sins, transgressions and character defects which the Old Testament discusses. Because God does not differentiate, that is, distinguish one sin from another sin. Instead, Ecclesia chooses not to point the finger at anyone.
And you also won't hear the so called "prosperity gospel" which some churches say is supported in Deuteronomy 8:18 and Malachi 3:10.
Instead, we are taught geing generous and benevolent frees us of the bondage of self. Ecclesia is a leader in the Advent Conspiracy movement, which urges believers to defer buying that useless gift for a loved one for Christmas, and instead use the money to help those in need. Such action is truly in the spirit of the Holiday.
It is Chris Seay, by the way, who is the lead pastor. His brother Robbie is a worship leader through music. The Robbie Seay Band performs original music, covers of other CC artists and rearrangements of traditional church hymns. The band is currently signed to Sparrow Records (EMI) and the cut "Song of Hope" reached #7 on the Hot Christian Songs chart in 2007, and was included in 2009's WOW Compilation CD. And they rock!
But it is the message which I love most about Ecclesia. LOVE IS Ecclesia's message. It's a message you may not receive through the fire and brimstone or the "prosperity" gospel of other churches.
Some c'mon by, get yourself a cup of coffee and sit down for a different church experience!
I have been going here for 3 years and i love it more every week. The sermons are easy and yet still focused on the Bible, no stuffy TBN style talking here. They have it right when they just focus on loving God and others, they are not judgmental or critical.
give it a try, go more than once. let the peaceful atmosphere wash over you and you'll be back every week.
Great church with a great mission. They use "The Voice" which was a bit strange to me, kind of reminded me of "The Message" translation. Robbie Seay does worship (always Spirit-led and not distracting). The art area in the back is full of talent and the book area in the coffee shop is full of great titles by historical theologians as well as classic literature. If you do not have a chance to attend on a Sunday at least try to stop by for coffee, their outreach is definitely worth your time!
So, you're a hip Christian (no, it is not always an oxymoron)?! This is the place to be (and to be seen). You'll actually stand out if you DON'T have piercings and tattoos. The emo/teenage angst look is in. It is the alternative scene in Houston for Christians. And it stands out because of it.
Other factors that make it so popular? The two main pastors are incredibly charismatic--charismatic in personality, not Charismatic as in speaking in tongues. The music is fantastic and with their connections, they can get some pretty big names in there. The church is actually a nice laid back blend of denominations, so you actually see some Catholics mixed into the crowd--and if you've ever lived in the South you know that doesn't happen very often. Communion is every week, but laid back so there's not awkwardness if you don't partake. Plus, with all the cool art on the walls and the coffee shop in the next room, what more could you ask for?
Well, here are some reasons that you may want to stay away. The average age (or at least the age that people dress) is about 20. With the punked out hair and "I'm just too cool" attitude, it can be a little strange if you've already moved on out of that. Hell, it was not long ago I was all pierced up, but I have a grown up job now, and that just isn't an option anymore. The other problem with the age of the church is that if you're not young and single, it is a little harder to meet new people. I suppose married people are a little less interesting but we're still nice. . . .
The church is incredibly casual. Maybe it is my old woman side coming out, but I did find it odd to see girls in tube tops at church. Or boys who didn't take off their hats during prayer. Or that sometimes they use the New Living Translation for the sermons. Doesn't seem to bother anyone else, so I must assume that I find it odd because I'm an old fart.
All in all, it is a great place to go if you're young. And it is a great place to go if you're curious about Christianity, but don't want people staring at you because they'll "know" you're not a Christian. This church is living proof that you don't have to be stodgy to be a Christian.
come here for coffee (any way you like it, they can dooo)... come for tea, come to study, free wi-fi is available, eat a light lunch/dinner.. they have service on sunday's so the coffee bar will shut down during that time. interesting little artwork here and there. books are out if you want to read. bring your boardgames or you can use theirs. the only reason why i give it a 4 is because there's not much windows around so it's sort of dark in there.
Very laid back and all ages. There are families with small children and older people here, too. Messages are relevant to today and honestly, I don't see the 'emo teenagers' here at all.
ok church, difffrrent folks for chriustans
