I attended services off and on ages ago when the congregation met at the church in NW Houston. I still listen to the tapes (yes, tapes) of services and have the praise band's original CD. Ron and Richard were such great people and the members were always so nice and helpful. It's definitely a Jewish congregation, with a strong Jewish identity. I plan to visit the new building soon.
Reviews are based on ones personal experience/opinion and the level of success the entity being reviewed has had in fulfilling it's expressed mission/purpose. I will share my thoughts on both within the parameters of proper and truthful speech.
I grew up in Congregation Beth Messiah. Coming from a non-denominational Christian background, it was very much what my family needed at the time we began attending and was a fundamental introduction into Torah concepts such as Shabbat, the feastivals, and basic Jewish customs. There are many kind and good hearted people in this congregation who are predominately from a gentile Christian background. Of the handful of halachically Jewish individuals, it's main appeal is to interfaith couples. An appropriate description of the level of observance, knowledge of the the mitzvot, and spiritual and cultural climate of the community is "Reform Judaism meets Christianity."
Over the years, as I have grown in my own pursuit of Torah, understanding of Judaism, and desire to live an observant lifestyle I began to feel increasing pushback and ostracized from individuals in the community and leadership.
My main criticism of CBM based on personal experience is...
Complete lack of Jewish Leadership and oversight. No one in leadership is halachically Jewish, has any sort of Jewish background or education, nor a current connection to the Jewish community whatsoever. As a result of this gross lack of Jewish influence and perspective on the Torah, #1 what is passed off as "authentic Judaism" is a measly distortion of what Judaism is really all about #2 there is a definite anti-rabbinic / anti-orthodox vibe which is an acceptable regurgitated form of antisemitism and perpetuates false Christian doctrines while simultaneously misguiding well meaning but rather uninformed people about Judaism #3 The few people in the community who are Jewish and WANT to retain their Jewishness or even non-Jews who WANT to walk out a more observant Torah based lifestyle get hurt or pushed out. #4 Nothing about this congregation lends itself to living and observing a traditional Jewish or Torah observant lifestyle. #5 At the time I was involved in this congregation, there was virtually no Torah learning... on any level. It is very uncommon for an actual synagogue to sit vacant six days a week.
To be fair, I don't believe that any level of commitment to observance is currently listed in their mission statement but I do know that many people promote it as such.
If you are looking for a place to participate in solid Torah learning or a community in which you have the freedom and encouragement to embrace Torah and grow in your traditional observance, I can not in good conscience recommend this congregation.
If you are a non-Jew looking to embrace the universal truths of the Torah and have access to Torah learning, I highly recommend Netiv - A Center For Torah Learning. It is an established local Noahide community that has oversight and involvement with the local orthodox community! You can research them online, Facebook, or even watch numerous Torah classes on their YouTube page.
If you are Jewish, I strongly urge you to check out organizations like Torch - Connecting Jews to Judaism for quality Torah classes and amazing events! Also, we are so fortunate to have two phenomenal outreach synagogues (Torah Vachesed / Meyerland Minyan) in our area that cater to Baal Teshuvim - Jewish individuals who are coming back to their roots and learning Torah for the first time! At either of these shuls you will be met with love, acceptance, and the encouragement and support you need to grow in your understanding of Torah and observance. Come see for yourself.
My husband and I have loved Cong. Beth Messiah from our first visit. We have now been there going on 10 years and have loved every minute of it. It's more than a place to worship and learn, it's our family.
Thank You To YAHSHUA For This Great Congregation, My Family And I Enjoy.
I absolutely love this congregation. They have blessed me more than words can describe. Thank you CBM!
This place is listed in Google as a "church". Appropriately. I am not an anti-missionary, however My wife and I visited last Shabbos and it is more a church than a synagogue. We appreciated the integration of some traditional liturgy, but all in all it reminded me of a church. What was most disappointing was to see that their gift/Judaica store was open for business on Shabbos, chas v'shalom. We believe are believers in Yeshua and we also take laws of shabbat very seriously and seeing business transactions taking place on shabbat was very disappointing.
It is a place where the Jewish people can learn about and encounter their Jewish Messiah without having to abandon their Jewish traditions.
Went for the first time today and thought it was beautiful. Jew and gentile becoming one through Yeshua(Jesus).
Beth Messiah IS a synagogue. It is a wonderful place of worship designed for it's intended congregation of Messianic Jews, and non-Jews who believe likewise.
Come and join our celebration of the Torah, Adonai, and Yeshua!
I was 7th day Adventist but in this synagogue I have learned the real way of praying to adore my God
A place where Yahweh is worshiped and praised. A place where the Holy Spirit is alive and full of Love!
My wife and I love this place and the people that worship there.
I have been a member of Congregation Beth Messiah since 1989. I loved the leadership when I started attending, and I love them even more today. I so appreciate the integrity, purity, and kind godly example they provide about loving G-d and looking to Him respectfully in trusting prayer. Our synagogue is composed of Jewish people and non-Jewish people from every ethnicity and age group. We love and honor the G-d of Israel and Messiah Yeshua who all the prophets said was to come. We stand with Israel and try to be a blessing to the Land in practical ways. I am very thankful for the balanced and healthy teaching from the bima each week as well as for the melodies, rhythms, and community that participating at CBM provides. The steady love, encouragement, and accountability make a world of difference to me. I am very happy that Beth Messiah is my congregational home. Come and see!
This synagogue is a Jewish space where Jews and non-Jews worship together and embrace their Jewish heritage.
Was there for 20+ years. It is a highly spiritually abusive environment that is operated very similarly to a cult. It is not a safe place for your family. I do not recommend it.
I have enjoyed your services very much. I live too far from your Synegogue in Houston and there is none in this area that I can attend. Thank you for your live streaming.
Very friendly atmosphere, great sense of community. You will always feel welcome here. I love it.
The service is perfect and the people are friendly. I loves it.
This is a Chrsitian church with Chrsitians playing dress up!!!! They are NOT Jews and NOT representing any form of Judaism. It's called fraud.
My family and I have been coming to this synagogue for three months now and we love it here. I have been serving the Lord for over 16 years and have been reading and studying His word throughout this time. This synagogue is a continuation of the book of Acts. All of the Rabbi s here are God fearing and a genuinely loving group of men who are diligent in the Tanakh and B rit Chadashah-God s infallible Word.
Shalom
Wonderful lecture and exhibit of ancient Torah Scrolls yesterday at Beth Messiah. Loved it!
My daughter and I went to this congregation, I am not from Texas. I was very surprised at the teaching. This congregation should not identify them selves as a messianic jewish congregation. It was like walking into an evangelic church, some of the men were wearing kippah and tallit, however the rest of the service was evangelic. My daughter and I left early because there was no substance in the service.. .
Beautiful synagogue that teaches Mashiach Yeshua (Messiah Jesus) wholeheartedly. I begin attending In January 2019 and my spiritual growth has increased exponentially. Praise the L-rd for this Synagogue of truth and understanding.
Great place of worship that allows everyone to express their Jewish faith with their Jewish Messiah, Yeshua.
This is a fantastic synagogue. I m so happy Adonai led my family to this place of worship. We worship Yeshua (Jesus) like no other synagogue. And we are diverse and loving.
No other place like this! For all who desire and enjoy a Messianic Jewish perspective on the Biblical worldview and Christian living, this place is a home. I m grateful to Yah for CBM!
Easily the most diverse "church" in town (though they would be offended to be called that). They have a single-minded goal to be a "place for Jewish believers in Yeshua as Messiah". It seems that everyone else is attracted to the Jewish expression, as this is one of the largest such congregations in the world. Music is great. Dance is beautiful. It sometimes leans a little prosperity-doctrine. Gentiles often ask, "So how do I fit in?"
cbmhouston.org
