Childrens Enrichment Days Of Aledo United Methodist

I dont normally review a church but one review stating the pastor is homophonic has bothered me for months but I wanted to truly wait, watch, and form my opinion, and as a lesbian myself I have to say this church is the most welcoming, loving, genuine group of people I have ever met, more than my own family. We have been to so many churches i cant even count over the last 8 years of our marriage and i could not have found a better place to call home. We've gone to 3 things a week every single week for over 4 months and nobody has wavered in their love, support, and kindness. Pastor and multiple people in high places here have not once batted an eye at me or my wife and our children whom they love as their own. Every encounter is positive and peaceful. Pastor Joel is the realest, most down to earth pastor I've ever interacted with. If my opinion changes I'll update, just for all you naysayers. And to address the reviews of not speaking from scripture, scripture is read every service but when he preaches he offers real life stories and examples that relate and I think that's even more helpful than just reading off pages or paper.

The pastor, Joel, is a great orator…but that’s all he is…an orator. The church itself does good in the community and beyond, but the pastor is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He does not care about the members that don’t constantly pat him on the back telling him he’s doing a great job or donate a lot of money to the church. He is a homophobic, xenophobic, person that is narcissistic to the point of being sickening. When I say he is an orator, that’s what I mean. He is more a motivational speaker than a pastor. Here is an overview of every sermon he “preaches”… I am a Marine…I don’t care what you think, you’re not going to change my mind (and he proudly states that), and some motivational speech with Bible verses thrown in to make it “Biblical”. Joel likes to cherry pick verses, and take verses out of context, ignoring the historical/cultural context surrounding the verses in a veiled attempt to make them relevant. Joel is leading the “church”, which ironically is filled with hypochristians, down the wrong path…leading them away from the Christian principles Jesus taught and the Apostles preached.

The pastor is a breath of fresh air that is committed to speaking a truth without "toting the tea, but throwing the teapot" when it comes to the community and walking down the path of discipleship. The pianist does TCU proud and it might as well be Carnegie Hall on Sundays with her caliber of performance in the prelude every week. The choir and "temporary" music leader have done fantastic in our few Sundays of visiting to lead singing and perform the offertory. I have not met a rude or unpleasant member yet and that may be saying a lot, or be judging a lot, for Aledo, Texas. I haven't decided yet. Whatever the reason that compels your visit to this congregation, may I extend a welcome to you as well from the Weber family because we may have some room in our pew for you at the front-left where we like to sit. I think you will fit right in to this group no matter your "make or model".

I visited today. As a previous reviewer noted, the pastor did not teach from the scriptures. I actually don’t think he even quoted a verse during the entire sermon.

Helped me in time of need. Had no issues getting the assistance. Ladies in the office had a genuine kind hearted spirit about them.