A Bloomington Churches Page, 9 August 2008

These are some churches I know or have heard good things about in Bloomington, Indiana. I've starred the ones I recommend most highly. Comments are welcomed; email me at [email protected].

• 1. Faith Lutheran. A Missouri Synod (traditional) Lutheran church west of Hyde Park. The pastor (if he hasn't changed) is a very intelligent man. The service is liturgical-- the same words each week. Lutheran liturgy takes some getting used to (I went to a Lutheran church during grad school, and my wife was organist at one for a year), but is sound. http://faithlutheranbloomington.org/ .

• 2. Exodus*. An independent church about 4 years old and about 200 people/week, in The Stands north of Hyde Park. Pastor Nussbaum used to be the college pastor at ECC. He is a good manager, sound in theology, and very practical in his sermons and services. The sermon I attended, for example, was about how you can tell if an inner prompting is from God or just your own whim. The music is with a praise band, and I found it boring. The church is good at welcoming visitors. http://www.exodusbloomington.org/

• 3. ECC (Evangelical Community Church)*. West of College Mall, in a big new building of about 2004. Formerly a Presbyterian church, ECC has been independent since the 1970's. It has sound theology and is action- oriented. It supports many missionaries. Pastor Whitaker is a very good preacher. Sherwood Oaks, Exodus, and Church of the Good Shepherd all had their roots in ECC. The 6:30 college service, Connexion, is very popular. http://www.eccbloomington.org/

• 4. Church of the Good Shepherd (CGS)* Near Karst Farm Park, on the west edge of Bloomington. This church was founded around 2000 when members of ECC split off in a big dispute over whether Tim Bayly should stay as pastor at ECC. He is still pastor at CGS. He is a very good preacher, extremely conservative theologically (though not liturgically), and a player in international evangelical theology/politics. People tend to love him or hate him. They have been meeting in a school gymn but as of 2008 are constructing a building. http://site.shepherdchurch.com/app/ . See also Pastor Bayly's blog at http://www.baylyblog.com/ .

• 5. The Reformed Presbyterian Church. South of Campus. This is a conservative Presbyterian church, which doesn't believe in using musical instruments or anything but Psalms in worship. Their Psalm- only hymnbook is pretty good, though. It must be the oldest church in town (1821). http://www.bloomingtonrpchurch.org/

• 6. Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. Southeast of Hyde Park. Sherwood Oaks is our local megachurch. It is sound theologically. I don't know much about it. http://www.socc.org/

• 7. Emmanuel Baptist. On the southern edge of Bloomington. I seem to recall it is good, but I can't remember any details. They built a big new church in about 2007. http://www.emmanuelbaptistchurch.us

• 8. Anointed Harvest Fellowship Church. This is more emotional, in the style of black churches. It meets on Country Club Road on the south side of Bloomington in the old Sherwood Oaks building. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid= 151585284

• 9. Clear Creek Christian Church. South of town near May's Greenhouse. This is a very old church (1838). I have heard it mentioned favorably. http://www.clearcreekchurch.com