I've been going to A Village Community church for about 6 years now. I was originally drawn to it because of their involvement in the Second Saturday Art Walk in the East Village Arts District in downtown Long Beach, the area where the church meets. They had a booth set up with some interactive art, and got to talking to them and really dug how they were really embracing the arts culture of the East Village in Long Beach, and trying to bring the light of truth into the area.
I had always gone to large churches, but felt like I would get lost in the crowd. A Village Community is a different kind of church which values interactivity and a free exchange of thoughts in its services in a small, intimate setting. They will often have times of community dialogue during the Sunday services (which start at 11:00 am) and the Wednesday night bible study (at 7:00 pm) where people can discuss their thoughts about what the pastor is teaching. They put on all sorts of events, such as community volunteering, art shows, a monthly book club and many outings; it's an amazingly active church for its small size.
Because it is small, it is a very intimate and personal setting, which over the years I've found is a great way to really challenge your faith. I found it too easy and convenient at other churches to just disappear in the crowd, and it didn't provide any room for fellowship. The crowd is pretty diverse and people from all walks of life will pop in. They also have a nursery for small kids, so it is family friendly despite its urban locale.
Pastor Chris has a remarkable gift for teaching and making subject matter relevant to modern life. He has a way of relating biblical concepts in a way that is easy to relate to in a contemporary way, though he maintains the historical context of each biblical passage. It's a fine line between old and new, but Pastor Chris is able to pull it off and it really helps powerfully illustrate the meaning of the teaching and how it applies to our lives.
I'd highly recommend A Village Community to anyone looking for a really great church experience in downtown Long Beach!
more