Looking for Church with young people (20 somethings) (Pittsburgh, Liberty: top neighborhoods, apartment)

[AaronPGH]

Originally Posted by Neckbeard89

I hope its not true that pittsburghers have lost God. I hate for such a beautiful city to lose its way.

I'd suggest doing your own thing and not worrying about what others in this city do with their lives.

[robrobrob]

Just a couple of suggestions. I know Northway Christian Church has a Oakland and an East End branch. This might be exactly what you are looking for. A family friend works there as youth leader and she is around your age.

Another option is the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church. They have a traditional service and a contemoporary service at the same time. Mostly, the younger members attend the contemporary service. I don't think they have any single events though.

[ryanm3685]

I currently attend Agape Life Church, particularly the grad student service which happens at 11:30 am at CMU. Agapé Life Church, Pittsburgh, PA

It's fairly small (especially compared to the Maryland church they have!) but that can be a positive thing-you get to know people better. As far as I can tell most people there are in their 20s or 30s.

Another one you might like is Pittsburgh East out in Plum. Although this might be somewhat of a hike for you to get to, it's worth checking out, as they'll having services at the Heinz History Center soon. Pittsburgh East Community Church / Home

Compared to Agape, Pittsburgh East is in a bigger building (although I'm not sure I'd call it a megachurch), and seems to have a wider age range.

I hope this gives you a good idea of some of the stuff out there. Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.

[fleetiebelle]

A friend who's since moved away used to be fairly active at the First Lutheran Church downtown. They seemed to have a large younger adult population, and many of the people came from the East End.

[eschaton]

This church opened recently right near my house. One of the three founders has dreadlocks, so it might be what you're looking for.

[Neckbeard89]

Sorry if I offended y'all. We all have different preferences.

[shlewis]

Originally Posted by Neckbeard89

Sorry if I offended y'all. We all have different preferences.

I totally get what the OP is saying.

When you move to (or back to) an area you're often times looking for people to connect with. When I moved back, I wanted to not only strengthen my faith but also develop new relationships. When I went to the church I had attended as a child I found that it was full of the elderly - people I didn't feel I could really approach easily or share much with. I was looking for people who could share time with socially as well as in the context of worship.

So, OP, I get it (even if nobody else does.) I hope you find something (and if you do, give me a yell, I'm still kind of keeping my eyes open for a place to get to... That hotmetal place looks pretty promising, actually.

[hinsey86]

Originally Posted by shlewis

I totally get what the OP is saying.

When you move to (or back to) an area you're often times looking for people to connect with. When I moved back, I wanted to not only strengthen my faith but also develop new relationships. When I went to the church I had attended as a child I found that it was full of the elderly - people I didn't feel I could really approach easily or share much with. I was looking for people who could share time with socially as well as in the context of worship.

So, OP, I get it (even if nobody else does.) I hope you find something (and if you do, give me a yell, I'm still kind of keeping my eyes open for a place to get to... That hotmetal place looks pretty promising, actually.

You said " elderly" ...far from what terms the OP presented.....that is where the problem was...not what she/ he was asking for.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by shlewis

So, OP, I get it (even if nobody else does.)

Everyone got what the OP was talking about in terms of the differences in churches, seems like. What they didn't get was the OP's repeated insistence upon using derogatory terms for old people (geezers, fossils). I think it was reasonable for people to notice that and point it out and not just let it pass.

I get the preference, even though I don't go to church and am not religious. I don't particularly get asking about it in a snide, disrespectful way.

[sarshine]

Hey Neckbeard89 - First of all, welcome home ) I've got some really good suggestions for you. But first of all, you might be encouraged to know that God is more present than ever in our city. Back in the 50s it was quoted that "Pittsburgh will be more famous for God than for steel". There are definitely some unique places to check out in the downtown vicinity that have much younger (20s-30s & some outliers) communities and really good perspectives on how to both love God and love His people better.

Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community (South Side) Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community - the best 'come as you are' church i know
City Reformed (Oakland) City Reformed Presbyterian Church :: Welcome - a really deep/challenging message and awesome bible studies/small groups, and a real community
Allegheny Center Alliance Church (mentioned above - North Side) Allegheny Center Alliance Church - very energetic and alive church with some awesome ministries
The Open Door (Highland Park) The Open Door | A Missional Church Community - really really unique
Seventh Trumpet (Downtown) - ? I'm not sure if this is the official name, it is a brand new startup church that actually has a service today 8/12 at 6pm in the Wyndham Hotel downtown http://memorialparkchurch.org/Websit...t_brochure.pdf - (scroll to pg. 3)

Some of these churches don't have buildings and just rent space, many have just been started in the past few 10 years, but you will definitely find some younger people that are more around your stage in life. I personally don't feel strongly about 'mega churches' and like to see church communities focusing more on their city and giving their money rather than securing their own future. That's not to say that some of these churches don't have money, but they all seem to have a primary focus on what they can do for the Pittsburgh community first, and all have strong messages. Most of all, they are all focused on God's love for Pittsburgh.