The City Church

The pastor has good messages and gives good guidance. There does lack a call to action. People leave with a lot of positive energy though may not fully understand how to apply the message into their life. The church organizes good events to help the community. Campus pastors are reasonably reachable. There is little transparency into how the church funds are spent.

Hola. Yo soy de Colombia, vivo en kirkland hace año y medio, no hablo mucho ingles y estoy buscando congregarme; Aquí logro ver comentarios positivos y en otros sitios sobre esta iglesia. La pregunta es: Existen un horario de habla hispana u otro medio para yo poder asistir ?
Gracia.

I have been attending for a decade with my husband and kids. Judah and Chelsea are as sincere and humble as they come. His messages are biblically sound, full of the truth of Jesus, hope, and even some humor. I’m adding that there is zero pressure to tithe or give anything since I read another reviewers post saying different. I’m there weekly and have never heard anything of the sort. For the people who tithe and want to give they can but its addressed in a mention at the end of service. The Smith’s have other sources of income than his pastors salary (speaking appearances around the world, books) that afford them an occasional vacation (in response to the other review) to which I feel they are entitled to like we all are. ALL are welcome at this church, with no exceptions. We are all just sinners in need of a Savior right?

Another entertainment church for people who want to «feel good» and think God’s happy with that? Horrible! There’s no biblical authorization for instrumental music, only acapella singing. Church funds are very limited on how they can be spent, no authorization in the Bible for anything other than paying a preacher, building expenses and limited Christian benevolence. This church is non-​scriptural and not concerned with truthful preaching or teaching lost souls how to be saved. Yes you might «feel good» being here, and think you’re OK, but what does the BIBLE say?

People complain that you can’t talk to the pastor? EVERYONE wants to talk the pastor and he would be there for hours if he did, they have services every hour and a half, and preaching is emotionally draining when you’re doing it 5 times a day across multiple campuses.
People complain where the pastor spends his money? He has two books that are New York Times best sellers and is paid to do conferences across the nation to speak to all of America and spread the love of Jesus everywhere. He can spend his money as he pleases, the tithes and offerings are for the church as a whole.
He isn’t always there? Read what my second point was about the conferences and spreading the love of Jesus everywhere.
This church is incredible;
The church isn’t a reflection of Judah, judah is a reflection of the church. Love, grace, mercy, acceptance, more love. The city church is an amazing place to find out more about God and get involved. If you feel left out or isolated? It’s a big church I can see how you feel that way… But REACH OUT! If you go out of your way I promise you’ll get to know great people who love Jesus and would love to connect with you.
It ultimately comes down to are you there for the perfect situation that fits your every possible need? Or are you there for Jesus? If you’re there for the latter the former will work itself out.

4 years ago I would have rated this church 5 full stars. This is actually a really hard review for me to write because I have had experience in this church for many years. I was involved very close with pastors and key leaders in many areas of ministry. I was once an intern for the church. Two years I served and was an intern and did it happily, graduating, fulfilling my obligations as an intern to The City Church. It’s expensive paying to attend their internship program. I received great leadership skills and biblical knowledge, built many friendships and encountered God. For that I am blessed and grateful. This church is simply not what it used to be. It’s lost substance. It seems ever since Pastor Jude left it’s become very bland and you get the same feel good preaching every Sunday with the same scriptures and comedy routines by pastor Judah (if he’s even there and not in LA) I’ve heard it over and over again with different funny stories every week for 4 years!!! Worship is now quick, cut and dry and everything is so scheduled. Judah is now a celebrity in his own right, preaching to celebrities down in LA, which is obviously his priority over the church in Seattle his father pioneered. The leadership has changed because the pastor has changed the people have changed because the leadership has changed. God forbid we speak tongues and pray in the spirit anymore. Nobody genuinely cares about their relationship with you, it’s all just very superficial and comes off fake. I love Judah but he is in danger of losing all of what got him where God has placed him. He is compromising Biblical truth and Biblical foundations to cater to the celebrities that he’s speaking to. It’s funny he used to preach against «greasy grace» now years later that’s exactly what he is preaching now (I know cause I spent the last year at our LA campus). I miss the old days sometimes cause there was no Hollywood distraction and kids and people were changing for real. I’m tired of the cliquy, who do you know, fashion show. It’s all anyone really cares about in this church. This kind of church community will never truly change your life for the better anymore and that’s just real talk.

I’ve been going here for years. Was always a bit skeptical of new churches but their message really reached out to me in some of my low times. They talk so much about grace and how God will love you no matter your decisions or circumstances. Pastor Judah is a young and energetic speaker that always makes me feel welcome and his messages are extremely comical. The feeling I get here is acceptance among anything else. It is not a serious judgy church, everyone is casual, light-​hearted and genuine.

I’ve tried going here a few times but it is not my style. It is not culturally diverse in the least bit. No average brotha’s like me walking around.
You can feel a little lost and overwhelmed. Not knowing anyone in the church, I was smiled and greeted nicely at the door, and then a couple handshakes before I sat down. I sat rather close to the front. I had an idea maybe I was sit in somebody’s important spot because every 30 secs this man, one of Judah’s friends kept looking at me with no smile. It was very awkward.
It was pretty overwhelming and an awkward experience. I really did not get the «homey» vibe I was hoping to feel. I did not see the pastor either time. I heard someone say he was vacation at Orlando Studios and on a PGA tour with Bubba Watson and his best friend. What that has to do with church. I am not sure. Maybe I will try Timberlake next time, see if the pastor attends that church.

If you like to walk into a huge building with extremely loud music with tons of people where you will NEVER meet the pastor this is the place for you. I’ve gone here four years with my son. Not only is the pastor going «Hollywood» and I can no longer relate to his fabulous/​lavish lifestyle, but people do not remember you or say hi to you.
It’s not easy to volunteer here like in other churches. You have to be committed weekly to volunteer at every service even when the pastor is not. I have children and to expect that one of them won’t be sick on a Sunday is ridiculous. If a pastor cant make it to church, a volunteer may not make it. Our own pastor was out for what seemed like months on vacation!
Later on his FB/​Instagram account was pictures of his lavish spending at Nordstrom with his personal fashion coordinator. His children with their designers back to school clothes and backpack from Norstrom. All while asking us to tithe? I would never know what I’m tithing to there? His families shopping spree and vacations? I remember his wife mentioning that she gets a paycheck? But for what and why? I will never know. Another scam of church business when taking tithe money.
Pluses: music is good, message (when Judah is rarely there) is good. The kids groups are fun, although, all the pastors kids get special treatment so its hard for the other kids to feel included or special in the games they play. The kids pastor is friendly to the children and the wife glares at everyone, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile.
Only go to city church, if you are late teen to mid thirties looking for a trendy church to hang out with, with friends. Not really. … an «everybody all ages church:. Geared toward younger people without kids. Earplugs will not even help the extra loud music for those who are sensitive to sound or have bad ears, or for the elderly. . It is like a mini-​rock concert.
If you can tithe to a pastor who’s family wears designer clothes and have fashion assistants from Nordstrom and wife who wears fake hair weave. This will be the church for you. I liked it a lot better with the old kid’s pastors and before the pastor was going «Hollywood». Now I am looking for a church that is a little more family friendly and down-​to-​earth. A place where I can make true connections and call home .I want to go to a church that a pastor and family has committed their life to if I am paying my little tithes to it.
I read a review of someone saying «only poor people would get mad at a pastor living a lavish lifestyle». This just goes to show the love of Jesus this person has not learned in church. Jesus is never about money and having the biggest house and nicest clothes from the most expensive stores.
It’s all business, all marketing, a few messages that stick and a whole lot of glitter and glam thrown on top to make you distracted and wonder who in the community this church is really helping? The people that work for it? Jesus saw a Pharisee give some silver coins in a bucket and then saw a poor woman give only one. In whom was God more well pleased? The woman who gave the penny because she gave all she had. So if this church is about attracted the rich Pharisees to drop silver coins, I would rather be the poor woman who God is well pleased and give my «poor tithes» to another church that I can see is really helping the community.

I’ve been to The City Church since 2005 I like and I love to be here to worship God. It’s nice to come to the Kingdom of the Lord. This Church was powerful. If you love to socialize and meeting new people this is the right place to visit.
Hebrews 10:24 — And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

First off, let me note how strange it is to write a review of a church on Unilocal.It’s really rather inappropriate, considering as how God is not subject to «reviews» or popularity. God is God. Period, full stop.
That being said, I think institutions that shamelessly misrepresent God’s Word need to be called out for doing so. City Church is one such institution. It preaches (among other things, of course) the prosperity gospel. If you’re not already familiar with it, the prosperity gospel suggests that faith leads to wealth. Those who believe more are more financially successful. It’s a pathetic and shameful practice that has been growing like wildfire lately.
If you don’t believe me, check out the City Church website and you’ll see what they believe. Here is a direct quote from their website: «We believe prosperity is the will of God for every believer and always to be associated with God’s purpose.»
Although the pastor was on vacation (one wonders if this is the best use of his salary, as opposed to serving the poor), he did take the time to record a several-​minute-​long video message. Unfortunately, the message did not contain any of the advice of God; it was a pressure-​filled guilt-​trip about tithing. The pastor twisted God’s Word to suggest that God financially rewards those with strong faith. This despite various passages to the contrary, perhaps most notably the Beatitudes. Because it is so important to get Scripture right, I will reproduce them. Here are the first eight (Matthew 5:3−10):
«Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.»
After the sermon, we were greeted with another sales pitch on why we should donate to the church; on the value, or rather necessity, of tithing. This was uncomfortable and unpleasant as all sales pitches are, but this one was particularly inappropriate given that we were in a church. Note this passage from Matthew 21:12−13.
«Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, „It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’“»
God does not reward the faithful with wealth. The wealthy do not stand a better chance of salvation. To suggest otherwise is a very, very grave misrepresentation of God’s will.

Pastor Judah is awesome, very inspiring message delivered in brilliant fashion. it’s easy to stay engaged in his sermon all the time. It might take some stepping up on your part to get involved in their biggest community (the young professionals that ranges from late 20s to 40s), as they simply can’t notice you out of all the people who attend this church. Once you get involved, the YP community will fill up your calendar as there are always something going on, and you’ll never stop meeting new people, which at one point can become too much, and you can get burned out from a lot of drama and variety of pleasant/​unpleasant people (welcome to the real world, my friend). If you are a very social person wanting to mingle all the time, this church has «the community» for you. If you are someone who’s less social and care more about just a few quality relationships and constant growth in life, this is still a great church, just don’t get too involved in the YP community.

first time here this sunday.
the music was very good, i was impressed with the talent level and the ability of the musicians there. the minister had a nice sense of humor and was able to get his message across while holding your attention. i took away a star because even though the minister and music was great the people are not very friendly here. i did talk to the ministers wife, though she never mentioned she was the pastors wife at the time. she was super nice and helpful.

Cult. And I thought Tom Cruise was a weirdo… Oh and don’t forget your wallet.

Do you want a church where the pastors are treated like celebrities? where the wives of the pastors are worshiped on how fit and young they look, pretty much, every Sunday morning? and where you are not allowed to stay with your kids in their classes when they are going through separation anxiety? then The City Church is perfect for you!

Warm, welcoming & inviting! Christian church is a lot different from what I grew up with in a Catholic family. But I learned to embrace it as it appealed more to my generation and what I was looking for in a church. I’ve been hooked ever since! The church is filled with kind people who are genuine & generous. Not all are perfect yet there are none who judge! Who says you have to be perfect? Because come as you are =)
The music is wonderful and you’ll leave every Sunday feeling a different yet better person =)

Spirit filled, Bible teaching, fun & life changing. What I love about The City Church is the diversity of people, all ages, colors and sizes.

**Not enough room for whole review please click here to read in its entirety
****
Denomination: No exact denomination stated but definetly Charasmatic/​Pentecostal
Building, History and General Information: The City Church is a multichurch campus all across the Seattle Region. The main church is in Kirkland. People dress casually, jeans and t-​shirts are accepted.
Service Time and Date: Saturday 6:30 pm Service
Pastor: Judah Smith
Name of Service: Risky Buisiness: Faith is the new Safe
Description of parking to start of service (how full was building, pews, welcomed?):
Parking was easy, and the lot was huge! We were greated at the door by an elderly lady who greeted us by saying «I dont know why young ladies go to bars to pick up men all the attractive ones come here» and proceeded to giggle with us. She was so sweet. We were greeted by a few more people before entering the chapel which reminded me slightly of a movie theater. Taking our seats towards the front middle I realized it was sort of empty but this changed quickly and the place flooded, probably 90% full and this was a saturday night!
Worship (intruments, hymnals):
I try to make these reviews as unbias as possible so I will simply say to start this was the best worship I had experienced. They started with a slow song sung by the choir and congregation, a few people had their hands raised but nothing too big. After this song they dedicated two babies (twins) who were adorable…

i am in love with city church and appreciate pastor judah for being an open hearted leader, spiritual teacher and engaging comedian :). i appreciate the legacy that pastor judah and his wife have embraced from his father senior pastor wendall, who recently went to be with jesus, and not only stayed true to the original vision of the church, and expanded it to reach people all over the world.
the music is uplifting, inspiring and encouraging! and the production keeps you engaged during the session.
there is no pressure to be a perfect christian and the message i always walk away with is that god loves me just the way i am and that loving jesus is simple and definitely amazing. im so happy to know that i am not the only one who feels that having a relationship with jesus isn’t complicated or requires «shoulds» and doesn’t include blame or guilt.
there was a time where i was a member of a church that treated its members like a cult and it was quite traumatizing for me… i left that church and for six years i prayed everyday for the lord to soften my heart so i could have a relationship with him again, and to also learn to trust the church. my prayers were finally answered the day i walked into the city church. i’ve been attending city church for 5 years now and don’t see myself ever leaving.
i’ve taken campaigns the church has done (
) overseas with me on my travels and have shared it with my friends and family. express your feelings on who you think jesus is by visiting the website. all feedback and comments are welcome, there is no good or bad. at the end of the day, the campaign gives you a glimpse into the church, allowing you to be who you are and voice your opinion without judgment.

WARNING! Bias review from a member of The City Church. :)
Finding a home church can be difficult because everyone has their own preferences. What will you find at The City Church?!
1. Truly friendly people! No facades.
2. Great kids and young adult programs.
3. The word of God preached in honesty with a touch of comedy. Thanks Pastor Judah!
4. The truth of being saved by grace through faith. Not by tradition or «do goodisms»
What you might dislike about The City Church:
1. Size — There are smaller campuses around the city (University District, Alderwood, etc.)
2. Telecast — Live in Kirkland, telecasted to the other campuses.
But like I said, different strokes for different folks. Come as you are. Everyone is welcome. As long as at the end you do find your home church! :)
Jesus is… your friend!