Pearl Church

inclusive, aesthetically beautiful, established, liturgical, welcoming, comforting… i love this church.

Full disclosure: I’ve been attending Pearl Church for about 8 years, so obviously I like it.
What I won’t do: get in to Theology or politics or moralizing outside of some higher-​level descriptors. I don’t think anything more is helpful for a Unilocal review.
What I will do: talk about the aspects that a visitor might care about in a «global» sense.
The Basics:
1. It is a non-​denominational Christian church. It is Bible-​focused and Jesus’ name is observed often. Many would classify it as «Evangelical», but some Evangelicals would consider Pearl Church too liturgical and structured. The theology is quite orthodox, but it is actually not a very conservative community — despite the worship style.
2. The demographics reflect those of the Pearl District. All are welcome and hospitality is the name of the game.
3. It is in the Ecotrust building — top floor conference room.
The Good:
1. The worship musicians are set off to the side and in a corner — not front/​center and loud like other places. This was especially refreshing to me.
2. There is a seriousness and earnestness hidden in the seemingly conservative worship style.
3. The message is always given by a qualified person and is actually quite practical and convicting — but not in a damning way. In the sort of way that makes you want to leave a be a better human.
4. There are two restaurants right downstairs (Hot Lips Pizza and Laughing Planet Café) that open during the end of the service and you can hear the music coming through the floor during the sermon. There’s something about that dichotomy that has always pleased me. Something about living in community and accepting each other. Also, it makes for two killer options for a bite and a drink afterward.
5. When you’re done, go play at Jamison Park. You’re welcome.
The Less Good:
1. It can be hard to find given its location in a conference room on the top floor or a building few know about.
2. Some times of year there are two services and some times (usually summer) there is only one… you’ll have to check the website first.
3. It can get crowded, but people will always try to find you a good seat.
4. It’s always hard to break the ice when you’re a newcomer at a church. My experience was that it’s just as hard for a regular to break the ice too… nobody wants to feel pounced on. What to do about it? Eye contact and say «hi», I guess.
5. The coffee is good, but they don’t server real cream… just the little packets. Oh well. I should cut back anyway!
Anyone else have any questions? Thanks for letting me give an honest 5 stars. They would love to know what to improve on, so I hope this helps kick off more reviews with more critical observations.

I came here with a friend for Sunday service. It’s a very conservative setting, where everyone sits down during worship. However they have a great worship band and the sermon was very interesting and applicable.

My husband and I were referred to this church by the pastor who married us and the place felt like home the first time we went. The sermons are great and applicable to daily life. Its small enough that you don’t get lost in the heard and the congregation is mostly young so there is a great energy about it. It is very much low key… people come in with their morning coffee and usually in jeans. The music is great too.