Website: http://www.newhopesandiego.com

Church Review
Scriptural View: 4/5
Beliefs: 4/5
Community: 4/5

Website Review
Site Usabilility: 4/5
Site Design: 4/5
Site Content: 3/5

NOTE: I heard that New Hope has decided to shut their doors after their pastor left.

Summary: New Hope is a church located in the suburb of Tierrasanta and is part of the PCA. It has been a while but I have attended this church on several occasions. New Hope is from the reformed tradition and as such holds a Biblical principles. The worship is a contemporary style worship that is typical in so many churches today.

They state their vision to be, “that New Hope, as part of Gods new community, would be increasingly transformed by worshipping Jesus Christ and clearly communicating this timeless message of grace to San Diego.” From my experience they are focused on a message of grace. The website has good content regarding their beliefs and resources. Overall, this is a church that I’d recommend for people to attend. There are also some other minor issues I disagree with that Presbyterians believe, including infant baptism but this is not a salvation issue.

A good church for believers to attend and grow in the knowledge of God.

Website: http://www.coastlandschurch.org

Church Review
Scriptural View: 4/5
Missional View: 4/5
Community: 3/5

Website Review
Site Usabilility: 4/5
Site Design: 4/5
Site Content: 2/5

3/16/05 – This review has been edited based on a conversation with the Pastor.

Summary: Coastlands is an 8 1/2 year-old Church plant in Pacific Beach. The pastor, Evan Lauer, told me they are a Bible-believing church that typically does expository preaching. He expressed a high view of Scripture and a desire to reach the postmodern generation with the truths of the gospel. The original reviewer wrote:

During this service the pastor opened it up for the audience to share their interpretations on the passage being discussed. At this time leaders (according to the bulletin) started to share thoughts that contradicted the verses. They were examing Scripture in light of their feelings not based on what it was saying.

Pastor Lauer said he does interact with the congregation each week but does not leave the final word to people’s opinions but directs them back to the word of God. (also see below comment from another visitor’s perspective.)

Coastlands has an eye towards being missional. Six times a year they hold a service outdoors in the community to interact with non-believers. Lauer told me “I’m working on getting my people to think missionally. To think about the people in this culture.” Based on this conversation we are changing the rating of the church.

A Bible-believing church that is trying to reach the postmodern generation with the truth of the Gospel.

Website: http://www.newlifelamesa.org

Church Review
Scriptural View: 5/5
Beliefs: 4/5
Community: 4/5

Website Review
Site Usabilility: 4/5
Site Design: 4/5
Site Content: 3/5

Summary: New Life is in the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) denomination, recently moving from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church denomination. This church holds to sound doctrine, they have a correct view of God and hold His Word as truth. This church would be an excellent church for people to attend who want to grow in their knowledge of Scripture. They have superb Sunday School classes for both adults and children.

I have had a chance to attend this church on a few occassions. I am always impressed with the community being God-centered people. During their monthly meal after service, the children happily went around and cleaned up to help their parents. They were genuinely considerate and interested in showing love toward guests and their family. This is a sight compared to many churches who distract children through entertainment not proper instruction.

Because of their traditions, they have not brought in ‘contemporary worship’ so hymns and liturgy remain un-changed over the last 100 years. This stance can impact the ability for new believers or people who do not know God to come and participate.

A great church to learn the things of God and grow in your understanding of Scripture. A more conservative environment with a tradition of liturgy and hymns.

Website: http://www.grcbible.org

Church Review
Scriptural View: 5/5
Beliefs: 4/5
Community: 3/5

Website Review
Site Usabilility: 4/5
Site Design: 2/5
Site Content: 2/5

Summary: Grace Bible Church is a solid Bible teaching church. They are from the reformed baptist persuasion. They list their beliefs as well as their churches Constitution, By-Laws and Statement of Faith. Anyone interested can learn exactly what this church believes and how this is administered at their local church. I am glad to see a church so willing to share openly what they believe.

The website is from another era. It uses frames and is very simple, which makes it easy to navigate but there is not that much to see. Without knowing it you switch from html to pdf documents. They also have pictures mostly dating to 2001. All this being said, the church looks like a great place to be taught the things of the Lord. The sermons seem full of meat which would grow all believers.

Grace Bible Church is a sound Biblical church even if they aren’t net savvy.