I wouldn't recommend this church, though I would have done so years ago. Even though I have roots at Lake going back to when my father was the Youth Minister, things have changed since Pastor Gordon left in 2005. You are not really allowed to question anything at this church. If you think they are acting contrary to the Word of God, just keep it to yourself. There is a strong emphasis now on affinity with the Catholic Church. If you attend Lake and haven't noticed this, you either aren't paying attention or you yourself like Catholicism. For example, the new senior pastor said one Sunday morning in 2013, "Pray for the Pope." He didn't tell us HOW to pray for the Pope. He didn't tell us that the Pope needs to repent of idolatry and of putting the church over the Bible, or of the worship of saints. Nothing like that. He meant that the Pope was one of us, evidently having the same gospel. I confronted this senior pastor on his Facebook page. He responded there at first, then when I replied again, he defriended me and blocked me. A few months later, in a sermon about how to stay reconciled with other Christians, he criticized people who defriend or block other people and said they need to be reconciled with others, forgive others. But he didn't do that with me. He dispatched me. This is a church that guards their control and doesn't tolerate questioning. I don't recommend it. If you like it when evangelicalism syncretizes with Roman Catholicism, you would love this church. Lake Avenue "celebrates" (as they call it) Ash Wednesday, with the sign of the cross in ashes drawn on your head. This is entirely extra- & contra-biblical. The Bible already teaches us how to repent of sin, but Lake Avenue says that observance of Ash Wednesday "points us to the Scripture" regarding repentance. So that's a blatant lie. The Word of God doesn't need a man-made ritual to instruct it on repentance. After that, you will hear a great deal about "Lent", and when Good Friday comes, you will hear the senior pastor tell the congregation that "God died" (on the Cross). But since we know that God is alive from eternity past to eternity future, the everlasting One, the Alpha and Omega, then how can God die on the Cross? Of course, Jesus is God and Jesus died on the Cross. But it was the Son of God in His humanity, Jesus as the God-Man, who died, not God so to speak. The Bible never says that God died on the Cross. So the leadership of Lake Avenue Church is now given over to people who are not careful with the Scriptures. As for me and my house, we're giving up Lake Avenue Church for Lent!
Over 100 years of serving Christ in the San Gabriel Valley. I knew no one when I first came here from the East Coast 20 years ago. I made friends by getting involved. Since one reviewer mentioned being annoyed by "bossy" people in this church of 3500+, I would like to say, "Yes, perhaps there are some bossy people, but there are also shy people, talkative people, quiet people, positive people, negative people, mature Christian people, newly committed people, searching people, hurting people, healed people, and every sort of ilk of God's creation. "Bossy people" are often the first ones to step up to the plate when it comes to volunteering, so you probably did meet one or two, but ultimately, God is the boss at this church and there is room for everyone. Another reviewer here said s/he was offended by gay people at our church." What?" "Have you read I John 4:21? " It goes like this: "If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also." Good memory verse!
A fine church with good pastors and sermons but for me I love worship and the audio equipment isn't up yo par with the rest of the church considering it is like a complex. It distracts me from worship but still a good place to go for worship ..
I have been a member of Lake Avenue Church since 1982 and am blessed as they release you to follow God's call in your life. I was sent out as international staff to share the gospel in South Asia and they have been supporting me in their prayers and financially. I am glad to be part of Lake Avenue because they love Jesus and won't compromise on their stand. It is a place where you see different kinds of nationalities, like heaven on earth. Yes, people who are not use to working with people can take leadership as bossing, but they are not. The leaders are all humble, they just help us know that coming to church is not enough but that we need to take part and practice serving others so they too can know Jesus.
I asked to join their Meet-up group, Shades of Queens, and I was denied. I'm not sure why, maybe they just want black ladies. Thank you for the discrimination! Oh well, I can write a review about it. Wish there could be zero stars.
I would like to apologize in behalf of us who had made others feel otherwise (anything NEGATIVE can be said here), we are followers of Jesus and still are capable of making mistakes but we know who can forgive us and love us and we are trying to be better people like Jesus. We hope that if any of you WERE offended, we ask that you would FORGIVE US AND give us a chance and come join us in a small group. Lake Avenue is growing, it just takes time. I admire Pastor Greg W for being so down to earth and exhorting us in the last messages he has given us AT THE BEGINNING OF 2016. I love you Pastor Greg. thank you so much. I bless you with God's goodness and blessings as you lead us.
At Lake Ave. Church, we love the arts, and you will meet artistic people, straight and gay. Music is given front and center attention, second in line only to God's word, and you will be blessed by the constant choral and instrumental offerings. The pastor, Greg Waybright, is from rural West Virginia, so there's nothing phony here...he generously shares the pulpit with assistant pastors and youth pastors which adds a real integration of styles. If you find the music a bit loud, just sit up in the balcony where our family sits, and you will never have a problem. All genres of music fill the sanctuary each service. There is a wonderful Sunday School program for children...all volunteers are vetted and trained to work with kids. They have summer camps for all ages and car nights with cook-outs and all sorts of events. There are classes for every topic and group: developmental disabilities, chronic illness (Hopekeepers), divorce recovery, parenting with a purpose, newlyweds, singles, and so forth. I hope you'll come join us and be blessed by the many friendly people whom I encounter each time I worship at Lake Ave. P.S. You get to park in the GUEST PARKING lot! Lucky you!
Lake Avenue Church is a US Church based in Pasadena, California. Lake Avenue Church is located at 393 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA.
Please contact with Lake Avenue Church using information above: Address, Phone number, Fax, Postal code, Website address, E-mail, Facebook. Find Lake Avenue Church opening hours and driving directions or map. Find real customer reviews and ratings or write your own review.
Find Church in Pasadena