Horizon Christian Fellowship
August 7th, 2004Website: http://www.horizonsd.org/
Church Review
Scriptural View: 3/5
Beliefs: 3/5
Community: 4/5
Website Review
Site Usabilility: 4/5
Site Design: 4/5
Site Content: 3/5
Summary: Horizon Christian Fellowship is one of the ‘mega’ churches in San Diego. It has a school, cafeteria, a coffee shop (called the “Sacred Grounds” Coffee Cart), Youth groups, Single’s Ministry (The Edge) and about 40 other ministry areas. Their website is sleak and well designed and you can quickly find which compartment of their church you fit in to.From my experience, how do you become a ‘mega church’. The first is through the persona of the Pastor who has a dynamic that is either entertaining or witty but this draws a big crowd. Often in conjunction with this growth, the church becomes a mall. It begins offering services to every population group. Now nothing is wrong with either of these in themselves. But the final challenge is what separates the good from the bad.
The biggest fault with mega churches is that they purposefully avoid scriptural teachings to not ruffle the feathers of those who attend. Time and time again these churches preach a watered down gospel that misses much of the deeper, even challenging areas that cause growth and repentance before God. My experience with Horizon is through the interaction of a number of people who have left because when they had serious questions based on the Bible, those in leadership were unwilling to give them answers. They preferred that people do not seek these things.
With this said, Horizon is still a church filled with brothers and sisters in Christ. They are preaching faith in Christ and we all are part of the larger body of believers here on earth working to proclaim the message of the cross to this world. And it is because of this, that this church is still far better than many churches in San Diego.
Horizon is a church that is preaching Christ, but they shy away from some of the meat of Scripture.
January 2nd, 2005 at 12:47 am
It’s a Calvary Chapel, what did you expect? Horizon is about to experience the same woes as it’s child churches The Rock & MVCF-finding a new facility. There is a lack of available space, and conditional use permits are virtually impossible to get these days. BTW, according to the Barna Research Group, today’s church spends $6 on a building for every $1 it spends on missionary outreach. Maybe the megachurch needs to reprioritize. It really should be the other way around, else the church isn’t “evangelical.”
February 16th, 2005 at 4:24 pm
You say your experience with Horizon is through the interaction of a number of people who have left because when they had serious questions based on the Bible, and those in leadership were unwilling to give them answers. Is this what those people told you? Did you find out what questions they asked? Are you sure it was Horizon’s problem, and not those with whom you spoke? Did they have an axe to grind? Is their perception accurate? How deep did you dig into this allegation?
Also, did you verify their stories with someone at Horizon before printing those accusations? I’ve gone there for over 15 years and have never had anyone unwilling to answer any of my questions…and I’ve had plenty.
Your comment that Horizon shys away from some of the meat of Scripture is patently false. Nothing could be further from the truth. They talk about it ALL…love, sin, repentance, Jesus, salvation, damnation, etc. Perhaps next time you make a statement like that you could back it up with examples?
Finally, responding to Mars Hillbilly. I don’t doubt Barna’s statistics, but to say that Horizon fits in that group is clearly erroneous. They spend so much of their money on missionary work and outreaches that they don’t even have a sanctuary. Their services are held in a gymnasium!
February 21st, 2005 at 8:49 pm
I appreciate the avowed intent of this website to help believers “find a church that is centered on the Bible.” However, I must respectfully disagree with the preconceptions, generalized assumptions, and conclusions of this particular Review.
First, as a Christ-follower, I have experienced Horizon to be solid in every area which this website claims to evaluate churches: Horizon provides incredibly in-depth scriptural teaching and interpretation, has a huge heart for evangelism and mission outreach both locally and worldwide, evinces a desire to glorify God and worship Him, and has a strong sense of community and accountability. Their solid scriptural teachings can be discerned even when watching their services online, which I would highly recommend for anyone curious about this church.
Second, is this a review of Horizon or of “mega-churches?” Horizon began with only 12 people. Christians are flocking to it in such astounding numbers because of Horizon’s scripturally sound, in-depth Biblical teachings, strong sense of community in the form of supportive home fellowships, and compassionate evangelism outreaches all over the world; not for its “coffee cart.” In fact, Horizon emphasizes just the opposite of trying to “become a mega-church.” Its focus is simple: “WIN to Christ, Disciple, and SEND.” This emphasis on SENDing is evidenced by all of the Bible-based churches that have grown out of Horizon over the years, from Horizon’s initial group of twelve people.
Third, I am troubled that three times in this Review, you claim to know another’s true motives:
Quote: “…They purposely avoid scriptural teachings…”
Quote: “Unwilling to give answers… ”
Quote: “Preferred that people do not seek…”
I would strongly caution against presuming to know what is in another’s heart. According to the Bible, only God knows what is in one’s heart. “The Lord searches all hearts and understands all intent of the thoughts.” (1 Chr. 28:9). “For He knows the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21), and Psalm 139:23. Instead, Jesus taught that “You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16.) And by this standard, I have experienced there to be an abundant harvest of good fruit being produced at Horizon!
Fourth, I agree with the valid concerns raised by “Happy to be His.” Horizon is not a church that provides an environment in which believers are encouraged to slide. There is constant direction and encouragement to unflinchingly apply the Word to your life, challenging you to identify, address, repent, and confess sin to God. Simply tune in online to any webcast for five minutes, and you will hear this. I too would appreciate hearing some examples.
Fifth, I am writing based on my direct experiences at Horizon. In your review, you state that your “experience with Horizon is through the interaction of a number of people who have left because…”
This concerns me. I can find nothing in your review which shows that you actually visited this church, and this would have been more helpful.
Sixth, is there a church in existence with which no one has found fault? Is it uncommon for someone to receive an answer that isn’t what they hoped for or expected? Not knowing the issues involved, I would strongly caution against relying upon hearsay and second-hand information.
Finally, in light of my concerns, and regarding “Scriptural Views,” I am puzzled at Horizon’s “3/5.” By comparison, I notice that you ascribed to a “Four-Star church” (I won’t even go there) a 5/5 in Scriptural Views, even though it practices Infant Baptism, which is not scriptural and has never been a Biblical practice. To imply that a church practicing infant baptism is right on the Bible and to claim that this departure from scripture is not important “because it does not deal directly with salvation” is disturbing.
I recommend Horizon to anyone seeking a solid, Bible-based, Bible-teaching church.
February 25th, 2005 at 7:46 am
Happy to be His: How much did Mike shell out for that gym/sanctuary? It wasn’t an original part of the school complex. And why are outreaches (Festival of Life) canceled/postponed during this period?
March 19th, 2005 at 3:47 pm
Some friends of mine, I was with them, tried to encourage Horizon to put a few folks on the sidewalk in front of an abortion mill just up the street on Genesee. Just to let the moms know that God loves them and their babies and that He will provide a way out. It became quickly evident in discussions with staff and passing parishioners that Horizon is a dictatorship. Everyone said that because Mike believes this or won’t let us do this, we can’t do this. They said they couldn’t go to the yearly JW events at Qualcomm to pass out literature.
But on the other hand, it is Horizon’s practice to counsel women not to have abortions but if they decide to they will be taken to the clinic and from the clinic so they can be “ministered to” in their grief. What is going on there? Why don’t their people think for themselves?
March 31st, 2005 at 12:07 pm
Stan-
1 word: SHEEPLE!
June 23rd, 2005 at 11:23 pm
God calls us to be “in one accord”, what I am finding on this site is a Horizon-bashing and Horizon-defending battle that needs to stop. I have been involved at HCF, particularly through HJSHS (Jr. Sr. High School) for seven years. I understand that some may not agree with the way Horizon is run, in fact, I have some problems with it. But the truth is, to sit and bash someone over their leadership style is not what God calls us to do. Yeah, Horizon has it’s share of problems, there are some very strong, self-centered personalities in leadership there. I honestly think that Pastor Mike as well as Pastor Mickey and the staff are trying to seek God in all of their leadership. God has placed Mike in a position of leadership for a reason, if he says no, than the church staff must respect his decision. Mars Hillbilly, in regard to your question about the “Festival de Vida” spending being halted, It has to do with the lack of funding during the transition into their new sactuary, in order for the call to “Win, Disciple and Send” to continue, they must find a place to permanently call home. The City of San Diego is not making this easy for them. In the end, we are Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and what I see here deeply disturbs me. I am not a member/attender of Horizon, I just found that it wasn’t the right environment for me, I know Horizon has issues in certain things, I have been involved in them first hand, but I take comfort in the fact that I know God has placed people in positions of leadership there, and is moving within the leadership to make decisions necessary for the betterment of the call that God has given them.
Thank YOu
June 28th, 2005 at 1:01 am
Didn’t The Lord All Mighty take one of King David’s biggest mistakes and produce King Solomon? If Mike or Mickey or any other pastors at Horizon have made a few mistakes in things they’ve said or done over the last 31 years, forgive them…pray for them and keep your eyes on Jesus…and let God sort it out…Keep seeking and keep praying…Kirk