First United Methodist Church

Tux Laredo

This church epitomizes social Christianity.

Amber White

The sign outside this church says it is celebrating 150 years . Inside, it is hardly a celebration. This is not a growing, thriving church. It is a slowly dying church—and like an alcoholic, it cannot see its own demise through the lens of its own stinking breath. Like many churches in town, FUMC has been losing membership for years. The decline has been precipitous for many reasons, but mostly it is due to an aging membership combined with a failure to attract néw members. There is really very little outreach. The senior staff and leadership is almost exclusively white, and very conservative. While this in itself is not the problem (“there are some very fine people”), the way this translates to new members is a problem. The pool of potential new members is not going to be of that demographic. While you will see minorities attend this church, they are not of such numbers one would expect from its location and proximity in the community. And they tend to be marginalized. Perhaps some anecdotes of why this is the case: I observed a senior member of the leadership selectively admonish a young Black male about his cell phone usage while on a volunteer outing (while a white kid with his phone was not). In group studies, it was not uncommon for senior members (who commuted to church in their Mercedes Benz coupes) to bemoan the homeless, and regarded them as a nuisance and subhuman pests to local “businesses” . Many of the more prominent members lack constructive empathy that would allow for new community members to find comfort one would seek for a home within this church. Over the years the church’s obvious political leanings were not a little alienating. It was not uncommon to hear promotions for prominent conservative political leaders such as Franklin Graham and other political “leaders” under the guise of church/spiritual endorsement. And while many in church voiced their anti “government “ nonsense, this church was first in line to take a PPP loan in order to keep the doors open during Covid. These are merely anecdotes, and each individual has their own perspective but this church is not exactly an inviting community for minorities or those non enamored with the far right. On the surface, you will get a polite hello and a welcome, but this church lacks that deeper connection to the growing diversity in the community. Maybe it once did, but the community has now changed around the church. One thing is certain: the tenure of the current leadership has seen a steady and consistent drain in membership over the past 10 or so years. In a recent Instagram post, FUMC wrote that “Justice reflects the heart of God”. Fine words. This church says all the right things, but it mostly lands shallow to those who depend on the Church for more than just the right words. Sadly, FUMC seems to regard its mission to only serve itself “in the name of Christ” . There are simple sayings out there that sum it up. Just as there is “all talk, no action”, there is “all hat, no cattle”. First United Methodist Church of Bakersfield, FUMCBako, is “all church, no Jesus”. It lacks empathy and outreach. This is a church where you can go, get an ok service with a decent sermon. There are some really good people who go there. And while you may stay for the sugared coffee doughnuts, just don’t expect anything real or substantial. This church is just not about that. Jesus Christ himself could walk into that church and only earn himself the cold hard Methodist stare. But if that’s the worst you get from this church, consider yourself lucky.

Todd W. Michael

People and staff are ok. Different services styles there make me wonder what they are trying to be. The professionalism of the staff are displayed in the musicality. The facilities are abundant and campus style.

Katie O'Neil

This is a life-changing church for a Christian looking for a new place to worship. Super strong community involvement and it's been their for years.