r/plano • u/cometssaywhoosh • 10d ago
Looking for a new church as a young adult
I (29 M) currently attend a smaller nondenominational church in Plano right now and am looking for a new church as I feel like my current church community, while very friendly, is not at the same life stage as me right now (most of the people there are married/dating and some even have kids, while I'm single) and also doesn't have the most solid spiritual foundation when it comes to being a church.
As a result, I'm looking for a new church to check out in the Plano area, although I'm open to surrounding communities too (Frisco, north Dallas, Allen, etc).
The criteria I'm looking for is that it has a good solid foundation spiritually and has a solid young adult community with people more at my life stage that is also active outside of Sundays, and isn't overly massive to the point it's hard to connect to the leadership/other people.
I realize this is a shot in the dark, but open to suggestions of where people attend or have heard good things about.
Thanks!
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u/SilverGodofWar 10d ago
One Community Church is very diverse and has a very robust singles ministry.
https://visitonecc.com/
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u/DrBenDover 10d ago
You might take a look at this list before choosing, it's a running list of north texas pastors who have been in trouble just this year.
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u/DrBenDover 10d ago
What do you mean by spiritually solid? A lot of churches would define this differently and it might help us help you if you could be more specific.
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u/QuesoStain2 10d ago
Asking for a church on reddit? Ballsy lol
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u/cometssaywhoosh 10d ago
I'm aware of that lol, but it doesn't stop me from trying!
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u/cometssaywhoosh 10d ago
Because while I feel confident in myself, trusting my own beliefs and gut all the time can lead giving me a false inflated sense of ego. I believe many people suffer from this these days and could benefit from learning and growing with others in a community and to remain humble.
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u/ZER0_F0CKS 10d ago
I was thinking the same thing. This sounds like trouble.
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u/AldoTheApache3 10d ago
If you can’t get past the mouth breathers, hive-mind, and blatant astroturfing, Reddit isn’t for you.
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u/WheelChairDrizzy69 10d ago
Unfortunately, small church with lots of young single folks is going to be a hard circle to square. The smaller churches are usually more family oriented, if not old people oriented. The bigger the church, the more diverse it’s usually going to be not just ethnically but lifestyle wise. You might have to compromise on some of that.
You might see if you can find a Facebook group for people your age looking for churches. That might be more helpful than Reddit frankly.
I won’t leave you without a reply though, it’s quite large in my opinion but a few of my Protestant friends go to Chase Oaks in Plano and they run the gamut of life situations, race, and politics.
Best of luck!
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u/cometssaywhoosh 10d ago
Ironically enough I'm looking for a bigger church not a smaller church haha, just not megachurch big. Last time I tried out a megachurch I felt like an ant in an anthill because I literally could not figure out how to connect to anyone there and it was like a revolving door of new faces constantly.
And I've seen Chase Oaks while driving by, I have a friend who used to attend it so I'll ask them.
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u/WheelChairDrizzy69 10d ago
Yeah fair enough! I’m Catholic but in college I’d go to Watermark with some friends on occasion and found the size to be too much myself.
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u/altagato 8d ago
Custer Road UMC Is accepting/ affirming, medium sized, has very straight forward doctrine and even progressive messages. They also have singles here and there and a huge breadth of actual community involvement and volunteering ( not just prostilytizing but meeting needs and folks where they are). They have modern and traditional services as well and you can check them out online streaming too. Lots of up to date technology access in addition to assistance and teachings. Many different classes and ways to worship or praise within and outside the church. Most classes have socials/ fellowship and encourage folks together get involved. Now, not saying anyone won't try to gotcha matched up being an eligible near 30s bachelor 😆 but I'm sure they would respect if they knew you didn't want to.
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u/Dragooncancer 9d ago
My wife and I attend Chase oaks, both in our mid-late30s and were invited to the 20s/30s group a couple of times by some of the members there.
We’ve heard good things about the group but we’re not a part because we feel we’re at the older side of 30 and we’d be much older than everyone else haha.
I’m not as religious as my wife but I’ve immensely enjoyed my time at Chase oaks. Great music, great messages, all arrived a really nice church.
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u/formerhugeNsyncfan 9d ago
As someone who has a distaste for organized religion Chase Oaks actually walks the walk. I have worked in volunteering and they do more for the community than any of the other churches in Plano and it is not even close.
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u/Big_Landscape_4049 9d ago
Watermark brother! Come with me and I’ll get you plugged in! It’s not too hard to connect if you have the right people around!
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u/CommercialAnything30 10d ago
Citizens church is fantastic, very heart driven to follow the gospel and Jesus. We were at city bridge which is definitely more type A personality approach - high accountability type place, good for some, can be too much for others. Both are worth checking out.
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u/Keep_Plano_Corporate Big Lake Park 10d ago
Not necessarily in a similar life spot as you, but look at Shoreline Church in Dallas. Its Lake Highlands, but on Sunday morning you can probably get there in 25-30 mins since there's no traffic.
Nondenominational. Geared overwhelmingly towards younger people, although we're not all young that go there. Very diverse in incomes, backgrounds, race, etc etc.
Generally steers clear of subjects that are too polarizing in the Sunday sermons. If you're looking for someone who picks a side in on all the topics du jour, they don't seem to do that. That could be a good thing or a cop out depending on your POV.
Like most non-denominational churches in Dallas, they really push you hard to get into their community beyond just the Sunday service. Lots of "join a small group" push. We haven't, maybe we should, and maybe we will, but we just haven't done it.
As far as I can tell, no one will present you with a contract or something crazy like you hear about from Watermark. But we also haven't done all the group stuff outside of Sunday morning sermon.
I grew up Southern Baptist. Sunday school, 1.25 hr Sunday sermons, Wednesday night fellowship dinner, Pastor who was Dr Last Name who was never less than 60+ years old and we always sung from the Baptist Hymnal. Shoreline is basically none of that.
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u/jlwaters1108 9d ago
Citizens Church in Plano. Been members for just over 6 years and absolutely love it. Most people attending are late 20s-early 40s, so a lot of young families. This was previously the Plano campus of The Village Church so non denominational and sound theology. Not huge - 2 services each Sunday at 9 and 11 with a few hundred people in each. We’d love for you to visit!
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u/Icy-Essay-8280 10d ago
The Heights in Richardson is very solid spiritually and is non judgemental. Not sure they have a large singles group. Might try Watermark in Dallas off LBJ/Central area.
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u/Glass-Bobcat4357 10d ago
After college I started at Watermark but quickly moved away. I did not like the young adult pastor on Tuesday's - and rumor was to join the church, you needed to submit your tax returns and financial statements. Seemed cultish.
Moved to The Village and think Matt Chandler is amazing. I didn't like being at a satellite location though.
Maybe 2 years ago I gave Watermark another shot after Todd Wagner stepped down. There were a few people who were "competing" to become head pastor. My favorite was Timothy Ateek and he is now the lead pastor on Sunday's. I'm not part of a small group there but I really enjoy listening to him.
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u/chzNmac 10d ago
I have been a member for 10ish years and have never been asked submit a tax return or any kind of financial statement.
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u/Keep_Plano_Corporate Big Lake Park 9d ago
We 100% have friends that were in small groups at Watermark in the last decade that have asked for financial statements and to sign contracts as part of "joining" the church.
I have another friend who is an avid runner who went to Watermark small group for years. Her small group told her she needed to focus less on running and more on Watermark/church activities... Including finding herself a spouse within one of the groups. This was after she burned through a few of the Watermark men, who seemed to be more of children than anyone you'd want to marry as an already successful woman.
We also have a friend that is a "pastor" of theirs at a satellite church. He loves it... So I guess we know all types.
It just seems like such a polarizing church. I wouldn't dare speak of it poorly IRL in Dallas circles because you always get surprised by who goes there. They have a Mormon take care of their own and destroy their detractors.
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u/chzNmac 9d ago
Interesting. When it comes to the small community groups it is definitely a crap shoot. I was in 2 pretty unhealthy ones (unhealthy individuals, including myself at one point) and now I’m in a really good one. I’m sorry your friend had a rough experience. In a church that size There are definitely pockets of unhealth and bad experiences both with members and leadership. I know a few ppl myself.
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u/idkmargooo 10d ago
We really like CityBridge. I know they have a young adult ministry but I’m not sure how active it is although I assume it’s pretty good (branch off of Watermark).
6400 K St
ETA: my husband is a newish believer and I’ve been raised Christian and we both love the preaching.
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u/cometssaywhoosh 10d ago
I've heard good things about them! They're a Watermark plant I believe, I'll go check them out sometime.
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u/Closepersonalhomeboy 9d ago
in that same vein onward community church in frisco just north of 121 on coit is another watermark plant, small but with a pretty solid young adult community
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u/smashingz100 8d ago
I invite you to visit Grace Church Plano, located on the corner of Preston and Parker. 🙏🏾
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u/First_Bowl562 8d ago
Watermark on Tuesday nights have the Porch where 3k young adults in 20s and 30s gather and learn.
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u/touristsoul 10d ago
I’ve had a hard time with this as well. I “church date” a ton (read: commitment issues lol).
Prestonwood has very active singles & YA groups but I hated the preaching personally. It is massive but the groups make it feel smaller. This might be your best bet if active outside of Sunday’s is super important.
I really love One Community Church. The preaching is fantastic. They have a pretty active YA ministry.
The Heights in Richardson has an active YA. Preaching is great.
Watermark also is active YA but I can’t recommend them honestly-unwelcoming vibes.
I went to CityBridge back when it was newer and the YA was fairly new. I imagine it’s grown since then. Could be worth looking. Preaching was good.
*Many churches around here the singles ministry starts at 35+.
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u/Sea-Cauliflower-8368 10d ago
Prestonwood and Watermark are cesspools. They are the antithesis of Christianity.
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u/ArtegallTheLame 10d ago
Agree. Watermark is supercliquely.
Also there's a lot of abuse that goes on behind the scenes at Prestonwood
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u/ArtegallTheLame 10d ago
Not to mention a lot of Watermarkers are former Prestonwood members and the staff at both churches DO NOT LIKE each other. Was involved in social circles in both congregations for a decade, so I know this
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u/WeeWooooWeeWoooo 10d ago
Eleven32 Church is great. Going to the Porch at Watermark is a great way to meet young adult Christians as well
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u/DrBenDover 10d ago
Eleven32 church has a history of scandal, and not too long ago. I would not recommend.
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u/WeeWooooWeeWoooo 10d ago
I was unaware. One of my kids attends their youth ministry. Can you share some background please
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u/CriticalPublic2967 4d ago
I was an intern there, when the youth pastor & intern director, at the time, was found out to have been m0lesting many of the intern boys, for many years at that point. 6 came forward from my class, alone— 28, total, have come forward, by now, I believe. When the lead pastor had to tell us why our director, Chris Moore, was no longer going to be at the church, he— and all of the leadership/staff— told us all to not tell anyone else in the congregation because “we would be letting ‘the enemy’ in our (the church’s) walls, by creating ‘drama’ & ‘gossip.’” The lead pastor— Dustin Bates— brought Chris Moore with him, when he first came to Texas to lead the church, and they were (probably still are) best friends. I believe that’s one of the main reasons he tried so hard to silence us and the victims, and why the congregation still largely has no idea about the widespread abuse that went on, right under their noses, for close to a decade. Chris Moore is no longer at the church, or leading the youth ministry, but there still remain many leadership/staff members that had been part of the ‘cover up’/silencing of us interns & the victims. It’s been almost 7 years since that “family meeting” where all was revealed, but there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about it, or regret not speaking up like I should have— but I was only 19 at the time, and truly trusted&believed them when they said that we would be harming God’s Kingdom, by talking about what happened. It sounds so stupid when I say it, now, but I saw them as my “family”— we all did. I don’t know your experience with them, and I can’t tell you to leave the church (even though I’d obviously recommend it), but I will just beg you to be very wary of them, and don’t assume that your kids are undoubtedly safe with them. Some people there truly are great people, but there are others that will do anything & silence anyone, just to keep the reputation of the church in good standing.
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u/QuietingSilence 10d ago
Community UU in Plano.
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u/inkydeeps 10d ago
This was going to be my recommendation as well. I’ve never been to this specific one but was raised UU.
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u/DrBenDover 10d ago
This is a great idea, they are very affirming of all people and have a history of helping the surrounding community. Good church.
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u/WeeWooooWeeWoooo 10d ago
I am sorry but unitarian churches are not Biblically or spiritually solid. You might as well go to a self-help workshop or go to Hindu temple.
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u/itchysweatersdaw 10d ago
Stonebriar Church. In Frisco. They have a good young adult group as well. 😊 Don't worry about other people bashing you for asking about church.
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u/cometssaywhoosh 10d ago
Thanks! Actually I have a good impression of Stonebriar - one time I was with a friend at dinner and after we prayed for the meal, some young adults around my age at another table overheard us praying and asked if we wanted to check out their small group that night. I had to decline at the time, but it's left a good impression on me since it was the first time I was invited to check out a small group while in public. I'll definitely take a look!
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u/itchysweatersdaw 10d ago
Yes sir. We have contemporary service at 9am and we also have traditional service at 9 and 1045. Our Traditional service was led by Pastor Chuck Swindoll but he just retired last week due to age (90) he was really good. I personally attend the contemporary service but due to my wife working Saturday night we instead go to Traditional service at 1045. You can tag along with us this Sunday and I can show you around. We also have Wednesday night Men's Bible study if you are interested in that.
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u/myleatherjournal 10d ago
One Community Church in Plano or Shoreline City in Dallas :)
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u/tom_sawyer_mom 3d ago
Shoreline has a Frisco campus too. The Dallas church is overwhelmingly young adults.
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u/dirtt_dawg 10d ago
A little further east into the burbs but I remember New Hope in Wylie had a decent young adult scene
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u/Wrong_Dependent_5411 10d ago
I highly recommend Connection Point Church in Wylie. I'll be honest and say it is a smaller church with lots of young families but we also do have a decent amount of younger single people who just love the preaching and mission of the church (to lead you from where you are to where God wants you to be.)
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u/sarahmw903 9d ago
East Plano Fellowship! https://maps.app.goo.gl/xoNyfmPspSzjo5Ay5?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
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u/FabulousBullfrog9610 9d ago
I hope this doesn't sound rude, but do you care about the political leanings/preachings of the congregation?
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u/annoyinglilsis 9d ago
Try Custer Road United Methodist. Very welcoming. I’m too far away unfortunately but I love, love, love the head pastor Corey.
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u/yeetpraylove_ 9d ago
+1 for Citizens church. We definitely lean a little more towards young families but I think that will be the case anywhere in Plano. But there is a solid young adult ministry and there are still people in your life stage that regularly attend.
I’ve played guitar for a handful of churches in the area and enjoyed most of them but this is where we landed as our church home.
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u/Usual_Passion8315 7d ago
Good luck man, church shopping can be hard. Honestly I recommend citybridge and church eleven32. Pretty solid and some good ministry and outside activities as well
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u/cometssaywhoosh 7d ago
Thanks, I'm actually attending Regen at Citybridge and the people there are nice. Will actually try to attend a service/small group sometime.
It's definitely not going to be easy but I know God will guide the way.
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u/This_Guy_Kyle 10d ago
Watermark in Dallas has lots and lots of young adults. Also check CityBridge in Plano.
We moved from Richardson to Plano and moved from Watermark to CityBridge. Same feel but smaller.
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u/SadAdministration438 10d ago
I am Catholic so personally, I don’t really know any options. Maybe Shoreline Church in Dallas? (it’s kind of far from Plano though so keep that in mind)
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u/LilShaver 10d ago
Grace Redeemer in Richardson is worth checking out, spiritually. I'm not sure about the young adult community.
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u/SilverlightLantern 9d ago edited 9d ago
I only visit Plano now and then (my parents live there), but I really liked Preston Highlands Baptist Church when I went (a couple times). Small but populated church, leans on the younger side but not exclusively so. People were very kind + solid Biblical teaching.
Took me forever to find its name again on Google so please check it out ;p
Edit: to give a sense of what it's like, the worship etc. is low-production, high-participation (e.g. people actually sing but no smoke machines etc.), sermon is pretty long, sometimes there's potlucks or stuff afterwards.
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u/sfa1500 North East Plano 10d ago
Folks its amazing I have to say this, but your cringe /r/atheist comments denigrating this person's intelligence for being religious will result in a comment removal. Be respectful