Adat Yeshua

Desiring to explore the Messianic congregation, to experience the Jewish side of Christianity I visited Adat Yeshua on Lomas and Jefferson. The website states everyone is welcome, with a meal and fellowship after the service. The building while old and musty, seemed adequate, not to large nor too small a gathering. Arriving early, we were privy to the worship bands practicing before service. Somehow things that day were not going well as the songs had to be repeated led by the cantor, Mrs. Shapiro. One immediately noticed who was in charge and that she indeed had strong voice and personality. The practice ran over the regular starting time, giving me time to scope out the congregants.
The age groups were balanced from young to old, and spiced with hippy like members to conservatives. Once the service finally began with «worship» music, to my surprise a woman stood up in the main aisle and began to dance up and down swaying to the vibes. Conservative I am, it was quite distracting, but I tried to overlook it as her expression of worship. I couldn’t help thinking that congruity was not the strong point in this church. The blending of Judaism and Christian message was not smooth, nor did I feel blessed by being there. The music was overdone, the sermon lacked relevance. Sorry to say, it is not meant as criticism. I truly wanted to experience the Jewishness of Jesus’s presence.
The congregation was friendly, it seemed quite difficult to meld with the membership even after visiting several times and breaking bread with the brethren. Apparently this congregation has no idea what they appear like to outsiders or should I say new combers. They behave as if all walking in the door will get their style of worship right away.
Adat Yeshua could be a standard of measure for messianic congregations if they actually embraced the message of Paul that to be Christian does not mean keeping up with Jewish like traditions. We are after all made a new creation in Christ Jesus. Perhaps they ought to take a closer look at how to make outreach and new members feel more at home. I could be wrong, but after several visits and attempts to belong, I felt left altogether left out.
Therefore, Adat Yeshua gets only ONE STEEPLE.