St. John’s Lutheran Church of Orange

My experience with the people who lead this church solidified for me how inhumane and asinine they are. I was once raised in this religion that flocks together every week to pat themselves on the back for being ever so almighty while criticizing everyone else for their sins and evil nature because they aren’t members. Almost 3 weeks ago, I went through something horrible and while I was speaking on the phone to a 20 — year member of this church, she proselytized YET AGAIN like a broken record player. Because I was in so much distress and pain due to my loss, she begged me to talk to her pastor, Nathan Hausch, the outreach and evangelism pastor. She apparently told him about me (without my permission the first time). The second time, she asked me for my permission to give him my number & I was ALL for it. The loss in my life was serious, so I was more than willing to talk to him because I had known my friend for 15 yrs and because she had been a Bible study leader for 50 years! Since she had been endlessly praising her church and pastor, I figured I would be missing out if I didn’t give him and Christianity a chance. Well, it has been almost 3 weeks since that tragic loss in my life. There still has been no phone call from Pastor Haush or ANYONE else from this religion. Not only did I live through a great tragedy 3 wks ago, I lost a friend and lost all respect for this religion and especially this church and other churches like this. WHY? Because No pastor here or anywhere was willing to speak to me. When I inquired about the reason no pastor would speak to me, I was told it is «because (you) live too far away & won’t be coming here regularly.» However, «we are looking for a church near you in Southern CA who has a pastor who is willing to speak to you by phone, but we haven’t been able to find one.» That was 3 weeks ago! God forbid I died and requested a minister to give me my last rites. THIS IS WHY PEOPLE KNOW CHRISTIANITY IS A JUST A POLITICAL GAME WITH NO MERIT and NO LOVE. It is just a business and even a horrible business. Remember, Jesus was NEVER a Christian. Don’t waste your time on this religion, folks. Find the love and care within yourself and follow the truth in your own heart. I have absolutely no good words for those people who lead this church or my former friend who thumps a book they don’t even read or understand. «YOU SHALL KNOW THEM BY THEIR LOVE». WELL, there is none here. THAT IS THE WORST TRAGEDY OF ALL. MY LOSS IS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE DARKNESS FOUND IN THIS CHURCH AND RELIGION. Spare yourself the pain and agony of trying to find any solace from these Christians. NO THANKS!

The people at St. John’s Lutheran Church have wrapped their arms around us and made us feel very welcomed and loved from the first day we started attending. Pastor Tim Klinkenberg and all the pastors teaching is very doctrinal sound and they love Jesus! You can see it in their actions and feel it in your spirit! They helped get us plugged into a small community home based Bible Study quickly and we love our group! We also were able to help with a ministry in downtown Santa Ana and have met some wonderful people there also. Lastly, we got involved in a fantastic ministry at St. John’s called Food and Fellowship were quarterly you meet for potluck dinners and rotate around to different homes and meet dozens of new people at each dinner! Great fellowship and sharing and a excellent way to meet people and feel connected in a big church. In this day and age of mega churches where you can go for years and never meet anyone on Sunday’s my husband and I have found St. John’s to be an exceptionally warm and welcoming church home for us! Praise God!

A beautiful church, with services to meet any schedule/​desire. They have contemporary praise worship as well as traditional organ led liturgical services. The staff are all great lovers of Christ and have a great heart for their community, feeding and clothing the homeless, in-​home care ministry, meals-​on-​wheels type of ministry, a Preschools through 8^th grade that is one of the top in the nation. Read carefully through the negative comments that are posted here and you find two people focused on serving themselves and not on serving the Lord.

My wife and I are baptized Presbyterian, but since St. John’s was within walking distance and she read they were starting a contemporary service we thought we’d try it out. Service was so-​so and ministers tried a little too hard to use multimedia.
When a call was put out for volunteers to help with audio and video I leaped in to help since that’s what I do for a living. That was my mistake. Waaay too many chiefs and waaay too much politics. The volunteer who had set up the media systems told everyone at a meeting that none of us knew what we were doing, so we needed to follow him and do what he tells us. I tried to ask questions and make suggestions, but was given the run around on everything by the media pastor. Finally, after being verbally abused by the audio director I walked out without saying a word and never returned. When the media pastor asked about the problem he just kept making excuses for bad behavior.
I can only advise anyone considering this church or any church, do NOT get involved in anything behind the scenes. Just stay blissfully ignorant of what goes on and you’ll be much happier. St. John’s has a rich history in Orange, but seem to be more concerned with nice buildings than the parishioners. When I informed them that we were still receiving their newsletter after my wife had dropped her membership three years earlier the excuse was that they couldn’t keep track of everyone. Henrietta Mears was director of Christian education at Hollywood presbyterian and she knew all of her students names and when they attended church.

St. John’s is a beauitful church! We got married there on 2÷14÷14. What am amazing place to bless your marriage in. Joan was so hopeful the entire time. We couldnt be more pleased with our choice! Thanks again Joan for everything!!!
xoxo
Mr. & Mrs. Kaesbauer

St. John’s Lutheran Church and staff and community definitely know how to show you that you are loved! I have belonged to this body of Christ since 1990 and I can tell you that the people who are here are gifts from God to me and my family. Pastor Tim and his family are warm and wonderful leaders, Pastor Hayes is knowledgeable and delightful, Bill Heide is a superb leader with musical brilliance! Vicar VB is the icing on the cake. We couldn’t be more blessed and believe it or not, we’re soon to add another fine man to our leadership. I could go on and on about Randy Einem’s schools leadership and staff and how incredible they are all but I’ve probably already lost your attention. Praise God for our wonderful blessings in St. John’s. Glory to HIM :)

I am not a member of this church, although I have attended with family. I called tonight seeking emergency pastoral care regarding a family member who attends there regularly. The «lady» I had to talk to in order to speak to the pastor asked me what I was calling about. I said it was a 9.5 on a scale of 1 – 10. She said «I need more details» and then I proceeded to recount all the grief and loss and hurt that had brought me to seek wisdom and solace. Isn’t that what churches and pastors are for? To be Christ’s hands and feet (and heart!)?
Not once did she express sympathy or act remotely humane. In the end her comment was she could see what she could do. During our conversation, I actually had to ask her to show me the love and mercy of Christ even though I’m not a Lutheran. Apparently at St. John’s, God’s grace is only for Lutherans.
Clearly, this church is diseased if this is the noxious fruit it bears. For as the Savior said, «By their fruit ye shall know them.» The fruit at St. John’s is rotten. If you’re looking for Christ, keep looking.
Follow up: The «lady» I spoke with last night was supposed to call me today. At two minutes to the close of business hours, I called her. She said her pastor could not help. I asked if he could give me spiritual guidance. She said no. I asked her if she was even going to bother telling me that and she got really quiet. What a way to show Christ’s love to the world.
If anyone has had a bad experience with this Church, please do not turn away from the peace and joy the Gospel brings. There are good people out there who are willing to help others in the name of Christ. They’re just not here.

I have experienced the complete opposite of previous posts. we attend church regularly and started going to church because of pastor tim. i don’t know whether pastor singer or pastor tim will be doing our wedding but it is a most beautiful church and i reccomend it to anyone

The church itself is very beautiful and historic, but usually that’s not the only thing you look for in a church. Myself and my family have been looking to worship closer to home since we live in Orange but have been attending a church in Irvine. We attended a 9:30 service at St. John and unfortunately was left really wanting. From the parking lot, people just seemed very unhappy. I could not get any eye contact or smiles or hellos from the fellow worshipers. My three year old son started to be a little disruptive during the service, so I decided to take him to the nursery, and I never saw a lot of people that looked more miserable to be there with kids! I’ve just never experienced anything like it. After the service we went outside to try to mingle with people and were not greeted by ANYONE. I will usually give places a second chance, but the first visit was so unfavorable that I do not care to try it again.
Fast forward a couple months later, and we have found a wonderful Lutheran church with the warmest and friendliest congregation. We felt very welcomed on our first and second visit and I’m looking forward to going back. The sermon was not the same ‘grace’ sermon you have a tendency to hear at all Lutheran churches. It was very refreshing to hear bold truth!
I hope others have a better experience with St. John’s but I would never recommend it personally.

Had a conversation with the lead Pastor Tim which was unfortunate because it further led me to see that arrogance and ego can you lead you down a dark path. Search how he speaks to other pastors on blogs and how he talks about illegals and welfare recipients. When politics lead your sermon, how can you serve a God above all of that?

My fiancé went to high school at St. John’s so when trying to find an officiant for our wedding he thought to email his old youth pastor. The response he got from Pastor Tim had him shocked, appalled, disappointed, upset and most of all hurt. Apparently Tim thought he was forwarding his email to his secretary but he sent it to my fiancé by mistake and said «I won’t miss a soccer game for this… but somebody else would sure help them out… please don’t obligate me right away». Oh heaven forbid my wedding get in the way of your glorious soccer game Pastor Tim! When my fiancé replied to his email he told Tim that he was very disappointed in his response which when Tim replied to my fiancé’s email he NEVER apologized or even addressed the situation of dismissing us for a soccer game. I then started discussing our situation with a friend of mine and he took it upon himself to email the pastor. Pastor Tim then responded with «I can’t tell you the last time the young man was in church. He isn’t even in our database.» The fact that he even brought up attendance just goes to show you what he’s really about! Maybe you forgot this scripture Pastor Tim: «Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.» I Peter 5:2−4
Remember this… you were not eager to serve, you were not a good example, you were not a shepherd of God and you were definitely not willing when you told us that you wouldn’t miss a soccer game for our wedding! You are a horrible example of what a Pastor should be! And you are definitely reaffirming my exact reasons why I stopped believing in organized religion!!!

Such a beautiful church! My aunt got married here! :) I would definitely come here every Sunday if it weren’t 20 miles away from my place.