Celebration Church

My experience there was so incredibly bad, that our company produced a documentary about it and is being entered into SXSW 2015 and other film festivals. Celebration has heard us, so now we'll let the documentary speak for itself. If you're hurting, in need of love & forgiveness, you may not find it there. Watch for the documentary titled ""No Forgiveness Here"". more

Love this church ! Pastor Joe and Lori are awesome. They really changed my life. Coming to this church helped me find God. You guys rock ! And for all you haters, you have no idea what you are talking about. more

I have attended Celebration Church for many years now. I can honestly say that Celebration has been a key part in my walk and relationship with the Lord. We have all probably experienced pain and unfortunately sometimes it is at the hand of key leadership in a church. I walked into Celebration with a chip on my shoulder, sat on the back row & didn't want to be noticed at all... Yet they saw me... they loved me just where I was and took the time to minister to me. I've never felt more alive than when I step into this church! Working in a negative corporate environment can take the wind out of your sail, but I would find joy, friendships, fulfillment and eventually call Celebration my home! If you're looking for a place to worship i would highly recommend Celebration Church! more

I attended for many years and will try to be objective for those who are new to Celebration. \r \r This church is not your parents southern Baptist, fire and brimstone church, it's an evangelical mega-church that wants to get even bigger. I personally don't like the size anymore and have been going elsewhere; any business can grow too fast and this one has for my needs (I'm very comfortable with my relationship with Christ so I don't need to attend a single church). If the holy spirit moves you to jump around and wave your hands then this is the place for you (hence the term ""Celebration"" Church). If your relationship with Jesus is more subdued then you might want to go elsewhere because the atmosphere has been known to offend some people.\r \r It's definitely not for everyone and there are lots of aspects that annoyed me personally of which I'll list a few. The music was too loud for me, sermon's were too long and repetitive (what good is the 30 minute timer if you don't use it?), need to post who will be preaching that week on the website, stop asking for money to build the next ""Joel Osteen-like"" empire and the parking is atrocious. The warm and inviting environment went out the window after the Tebo event and the TV contract was signed, not to mention the snobbish attitudes that have gone with the events. I'm not even going to talk about how much Champion is paid but I would suggest the church put together a board of directors to keep this under control or at least to quiet the detractors. At the same time it's his church so you can vote by what you do or don't put in the offering plate. These are all small, humanistic issues so please don't use them to pass judgment on the church as a whole. \r \r What this church has that most don't is energy, which very much appeals to a younger audience. The sermons are rarely boring unless someone besides Champion is doing them (hence the need to know ahead of time who is preaching but I'm afraid if they publicized this no one would come). You will meet some of the nicest people in the world here and likely make some good friends. I would still be very careful about how involved you get in terms of volunteering since the church staff will expect more out of you than most people can or will be able to commit to. This is where you enter the ""kool-aid drinking"" or cult level that other people have mentioned in their reviews. There are definitely people that worship at the altar of the pastor and are very aggressive in wanting to please him and the family through their giving of time and money, and also with yours. I'm not saying it's right or wrong but just be aware.\r \r Just like the people that run them there's no perfect church but my guess is that if you're under the age of 40 you'll find a home here. I would suggest attending a few times and then asking the Holy Spirit in prayer as to whether you're in the right place. He'll let you know. more

I have been attending services at Celebration Church for almost a year now. I have gained so much strength from Pastor Joe's words, and for the first time ever am always so excited to go to church. I hate to miss something Pastor Joe might say. Even though they archive services online, it's a great group to worship with. He's not boring (he's actually really funny) and he tells it like it is. So many pastors today shy away from leading their congregation to the truth, unable to make their sermons about what they should know in their heart is right, simply because they're afraid of losing members. They're afraid that if they tell people that they should flee from sin and run to Jesus, people won't want to listen to them and they'll quit going. Pastor Joe cares too much about his congregation and knows that the world needs something better than that. So no, if you're wanting to conduct your life in a way the Bible warns against and then attend church without being told you're doing anything wrong, you probably will not like this church. I like that he is a pastor that will tell me what is right and wrong, because it's in my best interest, and it's his JOB. He doesn't do this with a condemning attitude. He just wants you to run the right direction. I, too, am not sure where the 1-star comments come from. I work in commercial property tax and can tell you that some appraisal districts notoriously over-value property, so you can't assume market value based solely on the appraisal roll. In fact, it's very common for them to appraise residential areas by block or neighborhood, as it would take too much time for them to individually value each house. more

I have been attending Celebration Church for many years and know many of the people who started the church. It is my home church and my kids and I love it there. I read several of the comments on here, frankly I don't know exactly where they are coming from. I felt compelled to tell anyone who reads them, to come to a service, keep an open mind and heart and see where that takes you. I think you will be pleasantly surprised what you find. more

I like Celebration Church, except for Pastor Joe. It is sad, but until he is no longer associated with the church, I will be attending another one. I like to congregation, the music, and the atmosphere, but I know first hand that Pastor Joe speaks words of hatred when he is not in front of a crowd. He is extremely homophobic, but if you have attended Celebration long enough, you probably already know that. I am not gay and may not understand peoples choices, but I do know that it is NOT my place judge anyone. Apparently Pastor Joe does not know that. And if you are Muslim, or any religion other than Christian, be very careful. There is a hatred that is brewing in that family, and I pray that it does not turn in to violence one day. I can't be a part of anything that he leads, because he can not be trusted. What he teaches his family and those close to him, is not what he preaches at Church. more

We have been going to Celebration Church for several years. We joined the church shortly after we started going there. Like one other reviewer said, we were not told about how the church believes that everyone should speak in tongues until after we joined the church. My husband made it to the meeting where this was revealed, but I did not make it to that meeting. He told me about it but since they really didn't preach it, we decided to stay. Through the years, however, my husband has really struggled with some of the teaching done by Joe. Easter Sunday was kind of the last straw for us as he invited everyone to take of communion, believer or not. We both believe that the Bible is very clear that communion is only for believers. He told the unbelievers that they could ""toast"" Jesus if they were not saved. To us, that was heresy, so we will be looking for another church. I am very sad to leave as they do have great kids programs, cater to needs of families with special circumstances. I am a volunteer and will truly miss the people I work with. The things that others have mentioned about Joe and Lori regarding their salary is really not of concern; their house was given to them by an Advocare big shot that wanted to bless them. The person that mentioned the Al Franken meeting was not really correct. He mentioned that he sat next to him on a plane ride to Minnesota and said that he got to speak to Senator Franken about what he would be sharing with the people he was speaking to that weekend. He then said to pray for him because he is unsaved. Joe Champion is more of a leader, not so much of a teacher. We are ready for teaching. more

A friend was asked to not return to the church after years of service and dedication to learning and griwing for having sin in her life. more

I enjoy this Church and the people in it- there's a great group of believers here on fire for God.\r \r I would like to ask Joe if he felt convicted today though by Robert Morris. Pastor Morris said he doesn't need a mansion because he'll have one in the next life and has given away his cars, savings, everything in the name of God. Lead the way Joe and put that mansion of yours or that Escalade (or both) toward the Beyond campaign! It would be me over the top to see the man asking for sacrifice to set the tone with his own.\r more

My husband and I were in search for a church that would help us grow in the word of God! Yes, this church is different than how we were both raised, but truth be told my husband and I had rebelled and turned away from the churches we were raised in. Some say why raise your hands to worship God? I say, if I can pump my fist at a concert, than why can't I raise my hands for the God that saved me from drowning in my own mess. I was more than shocked to read the other comments...I respect that everyone has their own mind...as for me, I've been in a church that is going nowhere and if the preacher is living in a million dollar home than that is where I want to be. The Lord is blessing him for doing something right. We absolutley love this church and I can't help but smile all week after Sundays and Wednesdays:) more

I mostly stopped in for the music. Piped Christmas music into the parking lot, many volunteer ""handlers"" to insure that everything runs like the Pastor / CEO wants it to - the guy directing the seating on my row looked like he could also be a bouncer, Starbucks Coffee. Rock concert / TV show kind of set, lighting, cameras. I always wonder about the behind the scenes ""board"" and how accountable the pastor is to them and whether dissenting views are allowed and how controlled free thought is. It is conservative Texas after all. The offering came immediately following the up tempo, emotive music and singing which is excellent marketing. The message on forgiveness was relevant and challenging - though the theology gave a mixed message of .... you can be saved by an all loving God, but you can also lose salvation it and definitely risk burning in hell if you don't forgive. Not sure if the pastor is deeply thinking enough to be consistent... but fear is a powerful persuader. more

Not God's house. Shame on you paster Joe. Everyone pray for this church and all the innocent people giving money to support this man's vanity. Do God's work instead. more

Upon moving to Round Rock, I heard about Celebration Church, so thought I would try it out. We walked in and were given tickets to buy coffee, sat down and after about 10 minutes were offended by the pastor with ""fake white teeth"" wearing make up like a movie star. There is NO reason for a pastor to wear make up and live in a million dollar home. Sorry! That's making a profit off the Lord. He then went on to talk horrible about Al Frankin that he sat by on a plane. Calling him a liberal in a degrading way. THAT IS NOT HOW A Pastor ACTS, that is how a baby christian acts. How are you going to react negatively to someone in the world you are commanded to love and attempt to teach me the word? God commands to you to love others, not just those who agree with you in a worldly political debate. I wrote and email saying that I was offended did I take that wrong, I am a guest. I got in return a rude email. Really? I have read some reviews, people say this isn't true, well it is. I was sitting there, my family didn't make it up, just to write a review. Seriously? The sheer number of 1 star reviews, should make you prayerfully consider this church. more

Often Pastor Joe has a great message. Good Sunday school for kids. Joe is funny and charismatic but don't forget that most of the other staff members are wonderful. Definitely worth checking out unless you really hate LSU. ""Hot hot hot!"" more

First: The counseling staff at Celebration helped me save my marriage. Mel and his team kick ass, period. For that I am forever in their debt. I've never exchanged words with Joe or Lori but I do know of their phenomenal journey. From a vision to a tiny space at the Round Rock library to the sprawling campus you see today, this is a real church success story. They don't hold anyone upside down for money. People give what they can and will give. The Champions DO dream and live big but don't hold that against them. They are good people and good shepherds. Now I'm not a good Christian. I don't attend very often, I cuss a lot, tithe too little, smoke a little weed now and then, exceed the posted speed limit, cheat on my taxes and I've even flipped the neighbor the bird. And I LOVE Tarantino movies (a sure path to hell). I voted for Obama and still support him. I like guns and big boobies. I use bit torrent A LOT! So yeah, I'm a candidate for h-e-double hockey sticks. But when I attend Celebration a few things happen. I feel a powerful bond with the congregation and my friends. I feel like someone in the heavens really does love me, all of us, like a mother or a father. I feel like the power is within me to do great things if I wanted to. Sometimes Joe's messages really hit home. Sure, some subjects are bound to impact everyone. None of us are immune to the tragedies of life. Celebration may help you... give you an outlet for your grief and inspiration to keep on keepin on. Humans are social animals, pack animals by nature and Celebration is a great pack to join. So I give Celebration Church 5 billion stars. Just check it out and see whats up. Won't cost you a dime. Now if you have a Catholic wife, eh, maybe you won't go too often. But try to sneak in on a Wednesday night at least. And adopt a greyhound. You won't regret it. (Just kidding, you will have serious regrets. They have terrible gas). Also buy power strips for all of your electronics. The friggin electronics are always vampin power when you think they are off. Cable and sat boxes are THE WORST. Dude, Obama is NOT A TERRORIST SYMPATHIZER. Seriously, get over it. He won the election fair and square. Adios amigos! more

This church is going down hill fast and needs to be saved. Last weekend this house of worship was turned into a sales pitch for someone's DVD set. While our pastor was on vacation they had the nerve to replace him with a salesman. I come to church to pray and be in the presence of Jesus, not to be sold worthless DVDs. There are other pastors here so WHAT IS GOING ON CELEBRATION!? Today Pastor Joe was back but the sermon was a lackluster message about family. Part of a new series! Oh my. Maybe I am jaded now but the bad piano music in the background during prayer is cheesy and melodramatic, scripture is badly interpreted to fit a weak and uninspired message, and there is very little bible education being delivered here. Come on Joe! You pay yourself $12,500 a month out of OUR donations, for maybe 8 days of work and this is the best you can do? We demand more! JESUS DEMANDS MORE JOE! This church needs to get BACK TO JESUS! BACK TO THE BIBLE!!!! Let us explore the bible like we once did and actually try to apply it to our lives and our world. more

First off you can't pick and choose parts of the bible to follow which every church does,not just Celebration. I know Mason and he's a showboating,immature kid who thinks he knows what he is talking about bc his dad is a leader of a large congregation. If you are going to follow at least the principles laid out in the Bible and be ""christ-like"", publically slighting the commander and chief of our nation is against Jesus's teachings. \r Pastor Joe doesn't like people messing up his image...or his money. Anyone who expresses their opinion negatively towards the church in any way on their own facebook/myspace/etc is banished from ever returning to the church until its removed. I've seen this happen because I was ""plugged in"" to their ministry school for 3 months. I was at the staff meetings and Joe went so far as to tell us how he told this woman never to come back because of what she wrote(which i read and really wasnt all that awful.) Im sorry but WTF?! You don't tell ANYONE to not come to church...what happened to compassion?understanding?Being open-hearted? If we are in fact ""stewards"" and everything given lent to us is a blessing of God to serve Him...then that church is NOT Joe's and he has no effin right (but apparently the over-grown BALLS) to tell someone they cant come into God's House? It seems as though someone has a mean power trip that needs to be stopped, it sounds like someone has a God-complex to me. \r If Mason can talk all kinds of mess about someone elected to office then why cant someone express their dislike for something a pastor said? Completely ludicrous. The best thing I did was leave that church. It's a cult. 1 person has a voice and uses it when something doesn't sit well with them...they are silenced by the rest of the sheep.\r Speaking in tongues? Paul wrote a whole chapter on blasphemers claiming to ""speak in tongues."" You can't just say God is speaking through you as you weild, same w/ miracles...the youth pastor calls out kids in the crowd claiming that they are healed from ailments on the spot. God isnt a genie that you rub & he comes out to do your wishes. IT'S HIS WILL NOT URS. \r People are looking for answers and just like any vice to fill a void, church can be one of those. just like a drug. you'll fight to get your drug...and justify its use. you'll fight when someone questions why you do it and that its wrong. i have seen staff and long-term members turn very cruel to people who have just innocently questioned Celebration's practices why do you have to fight so hard Celebrators? are you really so threatened because there is truth in what people outside your little church culture say?\r Im sorry but I take this personally...My God loves all of me. My good my bad and my ugly...and when you don't love,accept & do the same for other HUMAN BEINGS...then don't claim to be anything like Him. You are insulting Him.You aren't to judge, you arent to tell people how God views them because of their actions, you are not to shame,guilt,banish anyone for their human nature. If someone asks you for help, you give them your hands and feet...not regurgitated verses proving that they are ""less than"" because they screwed up and they need to repent and claim God before the masses.\r You claim its a ""personal relationship"" people are lacking. Celebration...you can't provide that for people. You can't tell people how to do it or tell them they're doing it wrong if it doesnt mirror your Joe and Lori's oh so intimate relationships with our Lord and Saviour.Its freakin' personal, \r Celebration is NOT the bride of Christ. Its a building. There are people who will never truely feel the full unconditional,accepting love and binding of God's heart to our because of that ridiculous ""church."" And I am sorry for that. more

I love Joe and Lori, but it irks me that my tithes are paying for their big European trip. They will end up in Africa to give a speech at an ARC church there, so they can write off all of their trip expenses as church expenses. So while the rest of us pay taxes for everything the Champions get a free ride thru tax exemption and the generous faith of strangers. I will keep going to this church but no more donations from me. I will pray that Joe and Lori discover Jesus' message of sacrifice and selfless behavior. more

I love it! more