Lead Pastor Justing Major teaching at Foundation Church in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois
ONLINE REVIEWS FOR FOUNDATION CHURCH IN BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, ILLINOIS
BACKGROUND
Network churches heavily control their public image, going to great lengths to control information about their methods and practices. Leaders encourage church members to flood sites like Google Reviews with positive reviews for Network Churches (and, in some cases, for churches other than the one the reviewer attends). This practice of having members leave positive reviews on social media has had the effect of burying legitimate public criticism.
For an in-depth analysis and specific examples of how Network churches encourage leaders and members to flood review sites with positive reviews, read this article on NotOvercome.org.
WHY DO THESE REVIEWS MATTER?
These reviews matter because they corroborate the manipulative, abusive, and harmful practices which are documented throughout this site. We have chosen to surface these reviews because they give further voice to victims and provide additional reassurance to anyone who has experienced abuse within these high control groups that they are not alone.
NOTE: We are not surfacing all negative reviews which have been posted to crowdsourced review sites. Rather, we have selected entries which bear witness to a pattern of the behaviors outlined in our article "8 Signs of a Dysfunctional Church".
WHO WAS THE LEAD PASTOR OF FOUNDATION CHURCH WHEN THESE REVIEWS WERE WRITTEN?
- Justin Major: lead pastor from 2013 - present
NOTE: Jeff Miller was the original lead pastor of Foundation Church when it was called ClearView church. All reviews currently represented on this page address Justin Major's tenure as lead pastor.
Check the 2013 section of our Network History page for more information on the transfer of the lead pastor position of ClearView to Justin Major and the 2018 section for the background on the church's name change from ClearView to Foundation.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A CHURCH THAT WILL SLOWLY DEMAND MORE AND MORE LOYALTY FROM YOU THE LONGER YOU STAY — THIS CHURCH IS PERFECT
Source: Foundation Church Google Review, July 2022
Full text of review (view screenshot of full review):
If you are looking for a church that will make you feel loved and welcomed when you first show up only to slowly demand more and more loyalty from you the longer you stay- this is perfect. If you’re looking for a place where your pastor, overseers, and small group leaders believe they’ve been given authority by God to tell you “what’s next” for your life- such as who you should and shouldn’t date, where your kids should go to school, whether you should take that job out of town, etc. and believe it would be a sin to disobey since they have to give an account to God for you and your disobedience “grieves” them- this is probably the best choice in town. If you love listening to the same rotation of sermons on tithing, hospitality, leadership, and “life together” while being discouraged from any outside Bible studies- look no further! Want a community that seems like an independent church governed by a local board of elders but is actually part of a 26-church Network led by Steve Morgan who lied about his criminal past in regards to the abuse of a boy while he was a youth leader with the RLDS church and set up a “puppet” church government which believes it is a sin to disagree with him, boy are you in luck! This is the perfect time to visit because lots of folks are leaving or being kicked out so they will be super anxious for new visitors. You will be required to tithe 10% to be a member. They will not be transparent with you about where that money goes. Great coffee.
THE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE OF THIS CHURCH AND NETWORK ARE SET UP TO PROTECT ABUSERS AND DISPARAGE ANYONE WHO QUESTIONS THEIR TEACHINGS, VIEWS, OR POLICIES
Source: Foundation Church Google Review, July 2022
Full text of review (view screenshot of full review):
I attended this church from 2008-2019, when they changed their name from Clear View Church to Foundation Church. I worked and served in many aspects of this church but most notably served in the kids program from 2009-2019. I dedicated years of my life to this church and church network. I have hesitated leaving this review for years however I cannot in good faith ever recommend this church or any other church involved in this network that was created and is still run by Steve Morgan.
I watched as this church moved from loving God and loving others to loving God and only loving other members. There was a marked shift in the teachings and attitudes of the leaders and the members.
While this church is filled with good, genuine, gospel loving people, the leadership structure of this church and network are set up to protect abusers and disparage anyone who questions their teachings, views, or policies. Even if you are asking out of pure curiosity to understand. You either fall in line with everything they tell you, trust your leaders, or you are asked to leave. Or possibly told "maybe this church isn't the church for you, and that's ok". Note that many of the reviews you see under this church are from people who I know attend this church as members, as they also attended while I was a member.
To serve and be a member at Foundation Church, you must commit to tithe 10% of your income, commit to attend every sunday, attend team meetings once a month, attend small groups each week, sign a "contract" stating you agree with all their views on the bible after taking the required Membership Bible Training classes. The list of requirements to 'belong' seemingly are never ending. You can find all the information you would need to know about this church, and the network they belong to, online. Search for 'Leaving the Network'.
There are countless stories from people who have attended these churches and this specific church. Stories of leadership spiritually abusing anyone they deem has a "rebellious spirit" aka anyone who may question them or their views. These stories are not one-off experiences. These stories are not outliers. These stories and this church's action follow an eerily similar structure.
Protect yourself and your family from this place.
THERE WAS PRESSURE TO CONFORM TO A CERTAIN UNIFORM LIFESTYLE
Source: Foundation Church Google Review, July 2022
We called this church our home for almost 11 years. Over time, there was more pressure to conform to a certain uniform lifestyle. I was told I could not be on mission with the church, and it was confusing to other members that I live outside the immediate area of Bloomington - Normal, I was told this church was no longer for me or my family unless I move to town.
TOXIC CULTURE OF ABUSIVE AND DOMINEERING LEADERSHIP AT FOUNDATION CHURCH AND "THE NETWORK" TO WHICH IS BELONGS
Source: Foundation Church Google Review, July 2022
Full text of review (view screenshot of full review):
My wife and I attended Foundation for 3.5 years, and I whole heartedly encourage you to visit a different church instead of coming here. There is a widely known but seldom discussed toxic culture of abusive and domineering leadership at Foundation church and "The Network" to which it belongs.
Ask yourself, why would over 50 adults (and counting) of a church with less than 200 members leave Foundation over the past 18 months? Why is there a website for victims of the abuse inflicted upon them by Foundation's leaders and other Network churches' leaders? Why is there a growing reddit community discussing these topics of abuse at "The Network"?
Normal healthy Churches, ones full of Grace, Truth, and Love, don't have sites and victims' stories like Foundation.
If you want to review these facts yourself, please read my story and the witness of many others (details below). I'd happily change this review if/when the pastors at Foundation repent of their sins, seek reconcilation with the hundreds of victims they have harmed, and walk the humble path of gospel transformation.
Since Google reviews doesn't allow links, please Google search for: "leaving the network" "dean & sarah".
THIS CHURCH TRIED TO CONTROL THE THINGS WE FELT LED TO DO
Source: Foundation Church Google Review, July 2022
Full text of review (view screenshot of full review):
I attended this church for 11 years from 2010 until 2021. Over the past few years of my attendance there was a stark change in culture. Justin Major took over leading, changed the church name, the leadership became very domineering and less scripture was being taught but rather that leadership staffs personal beliefs.
Things were taught to the members such as only having 3 kids, not homeschooling children, and not doing anything contrary to church planting. For example my family fosters children and we were always being told not to because it was "too much for us". Rather than coming along side us, this church tried to control the things we felt led to do.
There is an entire forum called leavingthenetwork.org that has many stories that hundreds of us have experienced of spiritual abuse and neglect and a very controlling leadership culture in the network of churches Foundation belongs to.
IF YOU EVER HAVE ANY CRITICISMS OR SUGGESTIONS, BE READY TO BE ATTACKED BY THE LEAD PASTOR JUSTIN MAJOR AND ALL LEADERSHIP
Source: Foundation Church Google Review, November 2022
Full text of review (view screenshot of full review):
My wife and I attended Foundation Church (previously Clearview) from 2012 - 2021. When we first started there Jeff Miller was the senior pastor. Jeff is a very godly man, who has since gone on to plant another church in Bloomington IL (God speed church - I haven’t been able to attend because we moved)
Justin Major took over after. Justin carried himself with a “Above the rest” mentality. I served the church faithfully, and even had minor leadership roles for a few years, but in that time, Justin never made an attempt to encourage me or even have a conversation with me. In our new church that is in Tuscola Illinois, the senior pastor gave us a tour the first week we visited and told us their backstory. Justin did not have one meaningful conversation or discussion with me in the nine years that I attended the same, small church that he was the pastor of. The biggest criticism I have of foundation church is that Justin is a leader that is completely full of himself. You will not receive love or spiritual care from Justin if you attend. If you ever have any criticisms or suggestions, be ready to be attacked by Justin and all leadership, because they can do no wrong and live on a pedestal above all the members and other attenders of foundation.
We enjoyed worship and small groups. I think that meeting every week is definitely an encouraging way to build strong relationships in the church. We were in small groups for almost the entire time we were at foundation church. The last small group we were in was for almost 3 1/2 years. After leaving the church, not one person from our small group consistently reaches out, or even really has a relationship with our family. Even though we got together once even twice a week sometimes, all of those relationships superficially melted away. This goes back to Justin. It has been communicated to small group leaders and others in the church to not communicate with people that have left the church for any reason.
A healthy reaction to somebody leaving the church is to give them a sendoff, and celebrate all that God has done in them while they were there. This church does not have the send offs whatsoever. In fact you have probably seen in previous reviews that about every 2 to 3 years 25% or more of the church exits. There is a lot more I could say, but I will strongly caution you to stay away from this church.
There are good people there that love God and others, but until all of the leader ship is scrapped, I don’t think that revival will be happening soon. Also there is no accountability for the leaders there.
FOUNDATION CHURCH HAS BECOME A TOXIC PLACE THAT IS VERY INWARD FOCUSED AND IS NOT ABOUT SERVING ALL GOD'S PEOPLE
Source: Foundation Church Google Review, November 2022
Full text of review (view screenshot of full review):
There is a website and Reddit you can research to understand why I give this 1 star. I was a member for 9 years until 2021. Sadly it has become a toxic place that is very inward focused and is not about serving ALL Gods people, only those that go to their church or are in their network. It is frowned upon to be apart of any other church and they do not serve anyone in the community other than college students. If they do not feel you are on mission with them or unified in all of their beliefs and practices you will be edged out or literally shown the door.
I recommend Eastview Bloomington campus if you are looking for a local church that is Biblical and following Jesus and the great commission. Eastview’s church is truly diverse and everyone is welcome and loved no matter who you are or what part of your walk with Jesus you are in.