Miscellanies.

a Cross-centered blog

The best churches in Omaha, Nebraska

Frequently I am asked to recommend churches in Omaha, NE. And for some reason these questions typically come from people who are simply not going to church at all. So first let me first exhort you on the importance of the local church.

The local church is God’s plan for the message of the Gospel to go forth into culture and its the place God has chosen for the growth of Christians. There is no way around the importance of the local church (read Ephesians 4:11-16). A faithful local church protects Christians, equips Christians and grows Christians together as the body of Christ. Any search for a local church must begin by understanding the importance of the local church. There are no substitutes.

On to recommended churches in Omaha:

First is Omaha Bible Church, a place my wife and I have ministered for over 7 years. They are a church centered around the expositional preaching of the Bible with an emphasis on the New Testament and especially the Pauline texts. The preaching style is very similar to expositor John MacArthur. I doubt any preacher in Omaha more clearly defines the biblical gospel than Sr. pastor, Patrick Abendroth. They have a well developed children’s ministry and nursery. Services are held on Sunday morning and evening and there are a number of activities throughout the week. Authors are frequently invited to speak (D.A. Carson, James White, John MacArthur, etc). Affiliations: The Master’s Seminary and John MacArthur. If you like the style and content of MacArthur you will like Omaha Bible Church.

And secondly, I recommend Core Community Church. They also are a church centered around the preaching of God’s Word with a great balance of New Testament and Old Testament texts. The Old Testament preaching is simply fantastic and no church in Omaha does it better. Their preaching style is much closer in style to her affiliates in the Acts 29 community and Mark Driscoll. I would liken them to A.W. Tozer if they did not excel him in expository accuracy and biblical depth. The church is also notably centered around the celebration of the Lord’s Supper each week. The church is fairly young and the children’s ministry and nursery are still in question but an overall stability is noticeable. Affiliations: As a church plant from the Acts 29 Network in Seattle, WA this church resembles the preaching style of Mark Driscoll. If you like reading A.W. Tozer you will likewise enjoy their preaching style.

Both churches are thoroughly Cross-centered and bible-centered. Both are expositional, letting God’s Word direct the church. Both are being used by God to further His own glory. And for these reasons it is an honor to recommend these churches for your consideration.

July 6, 2006 - Posted by spurgeon | Churches in Omaha, Omaha, Omaha NE | | 11 Comments

11 Comments »

  1. Hi, Tony. I’ve been reading and enjoying your ‘blog this afternoon, just stumbling upon it this afternoon.

    I was especially interested in this entry about Omaha churches. I will soon be the pastor of Messiah Reformed Church at 88th and Center and believe we could be an Omaha church you could recommend. We have verse-by-verse teaching through God’s Word and hold to and preach the doctrines of grace.

    Many of us at Messiah are students of the great preachers and writers of the Puritan era and of men like Spurgeon, Bunyan, Owen and Pink. We are contending against the spirit of the age and its “your best life now” atheology and its pop psychology with a Christian veneer. We’re convinced a remnant of believers is out there and hungry for biblical truth and the rigors of a life where one dies to self and lives to serve Christ.

    I have visited Omaha Bible Church (and have family that attends there) and appreciate what Pat Abendroth is doing. I also remember Eric Burmeister from his days at Christ Community. It’s exciting to read what he’s up to now.

    It seems the recent Christianity Today cover story on the revival of interest in Reformed doctrine is evident.

    Thanks again for the thoughtful and content-rich ‘blog. Pressing on in Christ . . . Gary Peterson

    Comment by Gary Peterson | November 14, 2006 | Reply

  2. Hello Gary. I would love to check the church out. I may just do that soon. Thank you for the heads-up! Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | November 14, 2006 | Reply

  3. Tony, only 2 churches to recommend? Really ? In the entire city of Omaha? And judging from the websites not many people of color at those churches either. Interesting.

    Comment by gurnall | September 26, 2007 | Reply

  4. Hello Gurnall. These two are excellent churches in Omaha, I’m not sure I present this list as exhaustive. And I met CB, one of my best, life-long friends in the world at OBC (CB is black). People of all races and backgrounds are warmly welcomed into both churches. … It’s worth noting that the theology of African American churches is in a dysmal state of affairs in the United States as Thabiti Anyabwile shows in The Decline of African American Theology: From Biblical Faith to Cultural Captivity. This book may be of interest. Blessings! Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | September 27, 2007 | Reply

  5. Hello. My friend from Des Moines sent me this website. Her and her husband have been digging into Reformed churches. I’m still learning about this and what it means. I currently attend Trinty interdenominational. What are your thoughts on interdenominational churches? Also, Christ Community Church was not recommended. Curious why. I don’t think they beleive in the gifts of the holy spirit..tongues , etc. are for the body of christ today. Any other thoughts. I’m struggling right now re: church and where to attend. I’m asking the Lord for wisdom and insight. Another thing to throw out there. What about the emergence of house churches. There’s a book called the Forgotten Church someone recommended re: how the gospel spread in the new testament with small groups of believers gathering… so many things to consider while finding a church that’s biblically sound… none are ever perfect. Any thoughts you can add would be welcomed. Blessings in Christ,
    beth

    Comment by Beth | October 29, 2007 | Reply

  6. Hello Beth! Thanks for stopping in. I would highly recommend OBC and Core as two of the top choices in Omaha (neither are affiliated with denominations). I have not dug into house church concept much. It’s important to get plugged into a small group where you can learn Christian living from older and more faithful mentors. This can be done in larger churches. That’s about all I got. Blessings!

    Comment by spurgeon | October 29, 2007 | Reply

  7. THanks for your reply. I just visited Steadfast Bible Fellowship…it’s a small Berean based church. Any thoughts on the berean affiliation? I appreciate it as I’m continuing to search and seeks the Lords guidance, while getting cousel.
    Blessings,
    beth

    Comment by Beth | November 19, 2007 | Reply

  8. Tony,

    I think it is an over-simplification to state: “It’s worth noting that the theology of African American churches is in a dysmal (sic) state of affairs in the United States as Thabiti Anyabwile shows in The Decline of African American Theology: From Biblical Faith to Cultural Captivity.” I’ve read the first chapter of Anyabwile’s book on the doctrine of revelation and the two modern “theologians” he cites are Fred Price and Eddie Long (? – my memory could be failing me). To use these two men as the standard for African American theology in this area is to paint with too broad of a brush. It is to neglect the men of color who have a high view of Scripture (i.e., William Banks; Carl Ellis; Tony Evans [despite his soteriology]; Larry Mercer – President of Washington Bible College and Capital Bible Seminary; etc.). To suggest that Fred Price and Eddie Long are typical of African American theology would be to say that Paul and Jan Crouch and Joel Osteen is typical of the theology of White America. It just ain’t so!

    Comment by Paul | February 28, 2008 | Reply

  9. Thanks for the comment, Paul. I suppose it’s a subjective matter of where the line is drawn. I too would like more clarity on where those lines are drawn! Tony

    Comment by spurgeon | February 28, 2008 | Reply

  10. Tony,

    This is the second time I stumbled upon your blog. Awesome! I’m from the Reformed Presbyterian Church of India, doing my Theological studies in Tokyo Christian Institute [Reformed]. Thanks for putting up the Princeton Cemetery pictures. Deeply appreciate it:) I am gradually discovering my reformed roots.
    There is a growing anti-Christian-Laws and sentiments in my country. It would be awesome if you remember us in praying for my nation. I would be interested in finding good reformed friends who I can share and correspond with. Thank you for blogging:) Keep up the good meaty stuffs! With your permission I’d be happy to link you to my blog.

    Joey.

    Comment by Joey.Z | March 27, 2008 | Reply

  11. would just like to say for those wondering about Core Community which is the sencond on the list. i have been part of Core Community since its beginning in 2000. to the one saying there appears to be no colored people in the pictures, do not make a judgement without first checking it out. The Bible speaks of making judgments. we are make no judgements in anyway shape or form on race or skin color. I would however recommend it to anyone who is truly seeking a god loving God fearing church. if you wish to be spiritually fed this would be a good place to come too. if you wish to be pacified that might not happen so much. we give the honest to God biblical truths. we raise up that means if you come here and remain the total same as before, your not getting raised up. we are a church whichs raises up so come prepared to be IMPACTED BY THE WORD!! WORD! :)
    PEACE AND LOVE TO ALL! WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

    omaha community playhouse 9:30 am sundays
    core phone 402.342.1701

    Comment by Brian | April 16, 2009 | Reply


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