Celebration Church

07/07/2008 Posted by Julie88

The problem with big church's is that they are fine for a few visits. However when you need something specific to your individual needs you end up caught in red tape. I really liked this church at first but sadly their lack of flexability made me seek something more personal.

Cons: Beaurocratic

05/22/2008 Posted by godchick2008

A lot of pastors of large ministries and churches have come under scrutiny in recent years due to a small proportion who have been accused of taking advantage of their followers. I don't see that here. For the person who was questioning the $600 car payment, that's really not that high these days. I was a single mom on a budget with a $358 car payment on a compact car. The Champions are a family of 5. Their house, correct me if I am wrong, I believe was donated to them by a contractor or builder who is a member of the church. And they host visiting pastors and such at their home. So naturally, the need for some space is obvious. A salary of over $150,000 for a family of 5 is not over the top in Austin, Texas. The cost of living here is high. So 150k, that's about 25k per person. The service is what is termed "contemporary." A traditional service would be less media driven and older or more conservative crowds tend to prefer that. I am a younger person who prefers a contemporary service. Celebration is reaching out to the tech savvy Austin area which the largest proportion of the population which is under the age of 40. There are a lot of un-churched people in Austin. Only about 10-15% go to church here. So they are doing Austin a great service. I have attended other "flashy" churches and left unsatisfied with the lack of substance. Celebration "gets it." The messages are relevant yet full of substance. I truly feel that the Champions have their hearts in it. Like the scripture says "you will know them by their fruit." Hope this helps. -Sarah

Pros: relevant message with SUBSTANCE, excellent worship, FREE COFFEE!

Cons: Honestly can't think of any

04/20/2008 Posted by contentwithchrist

I never can understand what causes a person to just complain if they don't like something instead of simply going somewhere else. If you don't like Celebration Church, go somewhere else. Those of us that think the Champions are incredible would not be offended. It's ok, really. Whatever Church you find that makes you feel like you are in the right place the minute you walk in the door, great! No judgements! Any religion, just find the one that fits. For all of the members of Celebration and those that are joining every week, we feel we have found it. I don't really care what kind of cars they drive or what kind of house they live in, what difference does it make?? They deserve everything they have and more for the commitment they have given us. They could have made it in any field they chose and I'm sure they could have made far more money but they have dedicated their life to this Church and to letting people know that they don't have to face life's challenges alone. I am so grateful I have found the place where I truly feel God's presence and I hope those who haven't found their place find it. If you don't need it now, someday you will.

01/21/2008 Posted by CCmember

Why is it so easy for some to criticize leaders of the church? The previous posts that cast shadows of doubt over the motives of the Champions are completely ridiculous. So now a $600 car payment is excessive? The roads are over flowing with "$40K millionaires" driving much more expensive vehicles than Pastor Joe's Navigator. Yet, no one gives these over budget commuters a second thought. Its 2008, Cars are obscenely expensive! Maybe a family of FIVE should own a subcompact import? Lets not preface such comments with the complete story of how Celebration Church came to be what it is today. Lets not discuss how Pastor Joe came from a non-Christian home with an NFL coach as a father and an older brother that serves as high ranking officer in the U.S. military. And that from this collection of "ALPHA" males came "preacher boy" as his family called him when he decided to go into the ministry. Lets not realize the amount of faith required to uproot your family in Louisiana and move to Texas because the Lord instructed them to do so. Like it or not, Pastor Joe and Lori are public figures and have a certain image to maintain. Would you continue to watch the local nightly news if the newscaster brought you the world's current events in a backwards ball cap and dirty t-shirt?? Would you allow your surgeon to operate on you or your child if saw him arrive at the hospital in an old beat up red pick up truck with one blue door and a rusty tailgate? Of course not. Unfortunately, what you have witnessed and decided to criticize are in one word... BLESSINGS. Deuteronomy 28:1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.

01/06/2008 Posted by jrclccforrever

We have known Joe and Lori for over 5 years. I am saddened at some of the reviews that I read. They have a vision to change the world. The "flash " is about being relevent to the younger generation. Our children see movies and play games that cost hundreds and millions of dollars to make. In this world of high tech and over stimulation Celebration Church is real, and relevant and is rocking Round Rock, Georgetown and beyond. I am proud to say I am a member and I will always have Joe and Lori's back. They love there people and most importantly love and serve Jesus everyday , I wish every one on this blog could say the same. I encourage anyone who is discouraged, down trodden or just needs a hand up go to Celebration Church it will rock your world. The holy spirit is alive and well within the walls of this amazing church!!!!

Pros: Jesus, worship, the congregation, the Pastors

Cons: NONE

11/02/2007 Posted by sanmarcosdriver

I've been going to Celebration for over 2 years. The services are powerful and the church appears to be under great leadership. However, I am concerned at the cash flow coming into the church. After a little bit of research, I found a bond package online that really was ok until I read about a lease on the pastor's 2006 Lincoln. As members, we are paying for that vehicle, in addition to his salary which exceeds 150,000. Is it wrong for me to question this? I'm just cautious where my tithes to a church go. After seeing this, I am a bit dissapointed. LEASE AGREEMENTS The Issuer entered into a vehicle lease agreement on January 13, 2006, with Mac Haik Ford Lincoln Mercury (“Lessor”) and Celebration Church (“Lessee”) for a 2006 Lincoln Navigator. This lease agreement will expire in January 2009, and calls for monthly payments of $631.47. strongtowerfinancial com/ downloads/ church_bonds/ CelebrationCTX.pdf

Pros: Great church, people, and worship.

Cons: Concered about recent offerings...

10/28/2007 Posted by brdfam6

I will try to be as respectful as I can but my goodness, where oh where are these people who write the negative reviews looking? I have never written a review in my life, however; I feel absolutely compelled to write this one. Growing up Catholic in England, I had a very strong bond with the Church and its beliefs, rites and rituals and seeing my husband pull away from the RC Church last year hurt me deeply. He wanted to try Celebration and asked me to go...I wouldn't here of it, yet I too, if I was honest, was not feeling/hearing God as I needed to. I eventually went with my husband to Celebration Church one Wednesday night last October and attended twice thereafter before becoming a member. This Church has not only changed my life and that of my family: It has deepened my faith tremendously and through this I now know what it is like to have a personal relationship with the man, my Saviour Jesus Christ. Pastors Joe and Lori are young, loving people of God who DO NOT deserve these mean reviews AND if people have a concerns with the way they dress or their car or their home then THEY are the ones with the problem. They work and they are paid a wage just like me and you and GOD be with them if they can manage their money better than some of us are able to. I have just returned from probably the most powerful service I have ever been to at Celebration and believe me the word of God is, in no uncertain terms coming from that man's mouth. Of course the Church has to ask for money in order to grow. If we don't grow how on earth do we spread the word of the Lord. To those who condemn others please remember Jesus said, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone". We need to wake up to a new life in God and release our old, stale, cliquish ways. We shouldn't be hurtful, jealous or condemn;it will steal the life out of us when what we really need is to be lifted up in Jesus' name.

Pros: Children's Ministry, Pastors, Service, God's presence

10/20/2007 Posted by justaguest

I have attended this church for the last 4 yrs and just recently left. Over the last year, the church's message has become one of pure money, materialism, and flashiness. No longer is there a humble feel to this church, nor the real meaning of why I use to go three times a week. Instead, every message by the pastor is laced with telling us why we are "obligated" to give ABOVE our tithes and offerings, and often times a guilt trip is blamed if we don't. After regular tithes, buckets are now placed at the front, so that you have to walk up to give your additional offering at the cue of the pastor, and so that those that don't are left embarressed and blamed. The pastor's clothing have become more eccentric over time, with the pastor's wife sporting new extensions every couple months---and I don't believe I've seen either one of them wear the same outfit twice. It's very saddening to see that as the church grew, the pastors became disillusioned and are only on the path of money, bigger and better, big screen TV's, flashy lights, and all under the excuse that this is the ONLY way to draw in the younger crowd. Excuse me, but a couple years ago, they were telling us the only one that could do that was Jesus. He's been long forgotten, for a flash in the pan show of entertainment that lacks any genuinity. All humbleness is gone---the reason for coming to church is completley lost. I can't help but think how Jesus is looking down and shaking his head in confusion and sadness.

Pros: The worship is great, but if you took away all the smoke and mirrors, you may find a lot of ingenuine people up on stage, that are more there for themselves than Jesus

Cons: money hungry, lost vision

09/29/2007 Posted by flager22

Celebration church is unreal! They can talk you into giving you them money to build a new youth building but the reality is maybe 10% actual goes to what they are telling you it goes to. Maybe it goes to the cool new house the senior pastor bought or maybe the nice bmw Mr. Turner purchased! And I quote you "We are not in the business of setting people free." This is the worst church I have EVER attended. My friend used to be really close to Pastor Joe Champion and now he wont talk to him because he is scared Pastor Joe is going to stab him in the back like he has done to many of his close friends and his staff members. The only that makes this a little like is the jacket pastor Joe wears with a cross on it. I am telling you I was there last week and that was the only thing that showed a little bit of Jesus. So go check out if you want.I wouldn't recommend it even if they gave out 50,000 dollars each time you walked through the door. But one thing you might do before you walk through the door is sell your soul to the devil.

Pros: None

Cons: Everything

09/13/2007 Posted by texmexsop

Pastors Joe and Lori are the real deal. They, and all the staff are truly authentic and look to the Bible for every answer. If you want real sermons with real-life application, and amazing praise and worship - this church is for you. They have an amazing youth and childrens program, and opportunities for all ages. All of this is done in the true spirit of Christianity.

Pros: Very welcoming atmosphere