CHURCHES IN LA
Church is not perfect. Actually, it is anything but perfect. But when looking for a church community we expect it to be flawless. We expect theological, political, and relational perfection. However, when we dare to accept their fallibility, then we are ready to embrace the good they offer.
My encounter with the following communities is based on visiting the church and word of mouth. I do not pretend to know everything about the church and cannot speak to what I do not know. I also cannot speak to their particular theological stances beyond what is articulated on the website. No two churches are identical. Just because there may be one on the list that doesn’t appeal you, there may be another that is a better fit.
Beverly Hills
Hope in the Hills
Size: Small
Style: Contemporary
Notables: Hope in the Hills is a small community of people doing life together in Los Angeles. They have wonderfully transparent and real leaders who seek to create a diverse genuine community in the city.
Website: www.hopeinthehills.net
Downtown
New City LA
Size: Large
Style: Contemporary
Notables: New City LA meets in an old theatre in Downtown Los Angeles. It began by serving the homeless in Skid Row and its diversity is a good reflection of the city of LA. This is one of the most diverse churches I have ever attended both socioeconomically and multi-ethnically and is a good reflection of the Kingdom of God. I really loved visiting this unique community!
Website: www.newcitychurchla.com
Hillsong LA
Size: Very Large
Style: Contemporary
Notables: From standing on the sidewalk waiting to enter, to the excitement of the theatre atmosphere, to the moving colored lights during worship, to the soft music playing behind the sermon, this church feels like the event to be at. The church is connected to the original Hillsong Church and so most of the worship are songs from Hillsong. One thing to note: the seating is difficult to find unless you show up early. So you have to be ready if you want a seat!
Website: www.hillsong.com/la
Young Nak Celebration Church
Size: Very Large
Style: Contemporary
Notables: This church has been one of the most welcoming of any of the churches I have visited in LA. It is a mainly Korean congregation with a diversity of age ranges. They have a very large campus with several services. They are very intentional about reaching their neighbors and have many different ways to get involved.
Website: www.ynccla.org
Tapestry LA Church
Size: Large
Style: Contemporary
Notables: I loved visiting this church! Everyone was so welcoming and the message was relevant and engaging. The congregation is mostly Asian-American but they have a desire to be a much more diverse church. Their intention is to be present within the local neighborhood of LA. There are a lot of college students and people in their late 20’s and early 30’s and this is definitely a growing community.
Website: www.tapestrylachurch.com
The Bridge at Union Church
Size: Medium
Style: Contemporary
Notables: The Bridge is a very diverse church located in downtown. Everyone is very down to earth and kind. This church is a merge of two different church plants and they are figuring out what it means to be a community together in downtown.
Website: www.thebridgeatunion.org
Tribe LA
Size: Small
Style: Emergent/Communal
Notables: This is not your typical church. Tribe is a very unique way of doing church that centers around sharing a meal together and talking about what is happening in life.
Website: www.tribeoflosangeles.com
Hollywood
Reality LA
Size: Very Large
Style: Contemporary
Notables: Reality LA is a typical very large church in Los Angeles. The preaching is excellent and the services are well put together. They have many different programs, ways to get connected, and ways to get involved. The age range is mainly 20’s and early 30’s and there are plenty of people to get to know. The community of Reality LA stretches across the LA basin.
Website: www.realityla.com
Mosaic
Size: Very Large
Style: Contemporary
Notables: Mosaic’s services are quite the production from the moving lights, the fog machine, the dancers on stage, to the relevant message. It definitely doesn’t feel like traditional church. So if that is something you are looking for, this is the place to be!
Website: www.mosaic.org
Oasis Church
Size: Very Large
Style: Contemporary
Notables: Oasis is a very large church filled with both families and people in their 20’s and 30’s. The focus on the arts in Los Angeles is evident through everything they do including the style of worship. There is also a large focus on women’s ministry that includes conferences during the year for women and advocacy for women’s rights and women in leadership.
Website: www.oasisla.org
Saddleback Church LA
Size: Very Large
Style: Contemporary
Notables: This is everything you might think a Saddleback church would be from the video of Rick Warren to the worship. They meet in the amazing Palladium theatre and definitely look like a church in Hollywood.
Website: www.saddleback.com
Mid-City LA
New Life LA
Size: Large
Style: Contemporary
Notables: This is one of the most loving and gracious communities I have encountered in Los Angeles! I highly recommend this church. The preaching is Bible based and the worship is Gospel oriented. I felt so encouraged just visiting this church. This is one of the churches I would recommend for anyone I know.
Website: www.newlifela.com
NE LA
Christian Assembly
Size: Very Large
Style: Contemporary
Notables: Christian Assembly is a very well balanced church with people from all ages. There are many different programs and ways to get involved.
Website: www.cachurch.com
Expression 58
Size: Medium
Style: Charismatic
Notables: If you are looking for a charismatic church of artists, this is your church. Most of the people are in their 20’s – 30’s and are artists in LA. This church is relationally connected to Bethel Church in Redding, Ca. and they play mostly Bethel songs during worship. The teaching is geared to the charismatic artist and seeing God’s potential in your life.
Website: www.expression58.org
Northland Village
Size: Small
Style: Communal/Missional
Notables: Northland Village is a very eclectic unique experience. The service is mainly a refreshing modern version of a Presbyterian service with a focus on reconciling relationships. It is small enough to know everyone in the room. Their take on worship, engaging with different spiritual practices, and even the flow of the service are very original expressions of what we may consider as normal church. There is a mix of young families and singles around late 20’s – late 30’s.
Website: www.northlandvillagechurch.com
Pasadena
Grace Pasadena
Size: Large
Style: Liturgical
Notables: Grace Pasadena is a wonderful blend of old and new. It has a Presbyterian liturgy with a blue grass worship band. The community is very family oriented and friendly. This is a growing community seeking to be a presence in Pasadena.
Website: www.gracepasadena.org
Rose City Church
Size: Small
Style: Liturgical
Notables: Rose City is a very quaint community of people who are genuine and friendly. You will find a mix of young families and singles here. Being close to Fuller Seminary, much of the congregation is connected to the school. Like most churches, they are wrestling through how to effectively reach their neighborhood.
Website: www.rosecitychurch.org
Prism Church
Size: Medium
Style: Traditional
Notables: Prism Church is a traditional church of people doing life in Pasadena. Services include Bible based messages and contemporary worship.
Website: www.prismchurch.com
San Gabriel Valley
Fellowship Monrovia
Size: Very Large
Style: Contemporary
Notables: Fellowship Monrovia is a very fast growing church. With several services, a diverse community and very entertaining preaching, many people are flocking to what they offer. The relevant teaching and vibrant worship will captivate any audience. There is a lot at this church that is very attractive for anyone who comes.
Website: www.madeforfellowship.com
Santa Monica
Pacific Crossroads Church
Size: Very Large
Style: Contemporary
Notables: Pacific Crossroads is a very diverse church seeking to be authentic and healthy in everything they do. They have a lot of different ministries and ways to get involved. The people there are very friendly and personable and are seeking to be community in LA.
Website: www.pacificcrossroads.org
Vintage
Size: Very Large
Style: Charismatic/Contemporary
Notables: Vintage is a very large church with a lot going on. This is a community trying to live out the reality of being naturally supernatural and how to live a spirit filled life in Santa Monica. They have a range of ages from all over the Westside and a lot of young families.
Website: www.vintagechurchla.com
Valley
Freedom Church
Size: Very Large
Style: Contemporary
Notables: Freedom is a very diverse community of people who are actively seeking to be involved in the city. The services are entertaining and engaging.
Website: www.freedom.church
Westside
University Christian Church
Size: Very Large
Style: Contemporary
Notables: This is an incredibly diverse church filled with a lot of wonderful people. The message is very Bible based and worship is a mix of contemporary and gospel.
Website: www.univcc.org