Emmanuel Fellowship Baptist Church

So sad not to see folks again but staying in the day!!

Go there QUILTING ON MONDAYS. LOVE IT

Emmanuel is generally sound - No major errors in doctrine. They are "bapt-ish" yet not explicitly Baptist, and very ecumenical in membership willing to accommodate soft liberalism, N.A.R. pentacostals and conservatives alike. This gives the impression that they are friendly and open about doctrinal issues, but in reality it is an unwillingness to get into the implications of such a rabble. As a general impression they come across as Baptist and mildly Calvinistic, but not by conviction or specific teaching. The Preachers and Elders are much more concerned about perceived niceness than doctrinal clarity, leaving many doctrines and practices to private conviction rather than chewing the meat of scripture. The various bible studies mainly consist of a rehashes of sermon notes, and almost no critical thought or systematic teaching of any kind will be found here, past the elementary doctrines of the faith. Congregation can be very cliquey and hard to plug into. Lots of groups for children, teens, and retired, but very little put into consistent multi-generational biblical education. Rarely is the family together to be taught and worship, but rather the church is divided into age groups and segregated, and this is sometimes felt in the times of fellowship between services. Their "Bethlehem Star" Christmas program is regularly "toned down" so as to not offend - especially the content/message of the plays. Unfortunately this all is reflective of the leadership being filled with hand picked Yes-men concerned more with filled pews and congregational ecumenism. In these instances the gospel message is a "lamp hidden under a basket" rather than " a light to all in the house". Lastly, the music they sing, although played well, is full of the " fluffy feelings / Jesus is my boyfriend" love songs rather than substance. Songs from Bethel in Redding CA, Jesus Culture, and Hillsong stand beside the occasional hymn. Very little discernment is put into this aspect of worship as well. Expect to sing the theology "Good Good Father" rather than "A Mighty Fortress". This is unfortunately symbolic of the theology taught here, for " out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks", or sings as is the case here. I sincerely wish I had much good to say but feel a biblical warning is in need. Hebrews 5 sums it well: " They have become dull of hearing. For though by this time they ought to be teachers, they need someone to teach them again the basic principles of the oracles of God, needing milk, not solid food." If you are looking for strong biblical teaching, practical and doctrinal discernment, being of "one mind", or any amount of confessional teaching, you sadly must look elsewhere.

Warm and inviting. Good messages with some humor thrown in. And who could rate less than 5... Bethlehem Stars! Youth Pastor is awesome as well. Take your kids there if for no other reason than to have them interact with Tyler. They will love him.

I was in Vernon for some work and decided to check out this church. Really great sermon and the community was very warm. Thanks for the blessing!