2024 CHURCH SURVEY REFLECTION
Hey Park-RP,
If you were with us back in January you likely completed our ‘2024 Church Survey’! The purpose behind the survey was to help us know and listen well to our church, with the intent that the results would help our leadership and ministry leads prioritize areas of focus. Thank you for the time and intentionality you took in completing the survey!
I’ve been prayerfully seeking wisdom, discernment and the Lord’s help in how to offer a reflection that integrates the church survey results, along with various reflections in conversation with members, ministry leads, staff, deacons and elders.
The fruit of this process has been the surfacing of ‘FOUR KEY WORDS’ that summarize areas of focus we desire to pursue and further develop our understanding in; and ultimately further integrate into the life of Park-RP, believing an emphasis on each will lead us towards greater faithfulness as a local body in our commitment to one another, and in our proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people until there is no place left.
Below you can see a summary giving further explanation to each word. These summaries are not meant to be exhaustive, but simply a synopsis that offers high-level insight into the fruit and direction gleaned from the church survey.
If you were with us back in January you likely completed our ‘2024 Church Survey’! The purpose behind the survey was to help us know and listen well to our church, with the intent that the results would help our leadership and ministry leads prioritize areas of focus. Thank you for the time and intentionality you took in completing the survey!
I’ve been prayerfully seeking wisdom, discernment and the Lord’s help in how to offer a reflection that integrates the church survey results, along with various reflections in conversation with members, ministry leads, staff, deacons and elders.
The fruit of this process has been the surfacing of ‘FOUR KEY WORDS’ that summarize areas of focus we desire to pursue and further develop our understanding in; and ultimately further integrate into the life of Park-RP, believing an emphasis on each will lead us towards greater faithfulness as a local body in our commitment to one another, and in our proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people until there is no place left.
Below you can see a summary giving further explanation to each word. These summaries are not meant to be exhaustive, but simply a synopsis that offers high-level insight into the fruit and direction gleaned from the church survey.
2024 CHURCH SURVEY
- FOUR KEY WORDS -
1. Proximity
Chicago distinctly more so than maybe any other city in the world is a city that is a conglomeration of neighborhoods, each with their own unique feel, assets, needs and culture. This is in no neighborhood truer than Rogers Park, and it’s amidst the uniqueness of Rogers Park that we gather together.
Regardless of each of our precise zip codes the neighborhood of Rogers Park has a centering effect on our church for a number of reasons. Rogers Park is where the majority of Park-RP members and attendees live. There is a deep love and sense of attachment within our church towards the neighborhood of Rogers Park and the greater area. The survey revealed that living in proximity to where we gather is a high value to our people, and there is a strong awareness of the distinct lack of and need for further Gospel witness around us. These threads unite us in Rogers Park with a sense of calling and commitment to the place in which we have been strategically positioned.
It is the strategic proximity to the thousands of people around us who don’t know Christ (many of whom are our literal neighbors), that compels us to continue to ask what it means, individually and corporately, to ‘love our neighbors’; and how can we further work together to become ‘a known character’ of influence in the community.
Regardless of each of our precise zip codes the neighborhood of Rogers Park has a centering effect on our church for a number of reasons. Rogers Park is where the majority of Park-RP members and attendees live. There is a deep love and sense of attachment within our church towards the neighborhood of Rogers Park and the greater area. The survey revealed that living in proximity to where we gather is a high value to our people, and there is a strong awareness of the distinct lack of and need for further Gospel witness around us. These threads unite us in Rogers Park with a sense of calling and commitment to the place in which we have been strategically positioned.
It is the strategic proximity to the thousands of people around us who don’t know Christ (many of whom are our literal neighbors), that compels us to continue to ask what it means, individually and corporately, to ‘love our neighbors’; and how can we further work together to become ‘a known character’ of influence in the community.
2. Diversity
One of the most celebrated features of Chicago as a whole, and Rogers Park particularly, is its diversity. For many at Park-RP it is the diversity of ethnicity, diversity of culture, diversity of nationality, and diversity of thought that makes Rogers Park and it’s surrounding areas an especially meaningful place to live as a follower of Christ - both in the opportunity we have to bear witness to the new humanity God is forming from every tribe, and tongue, and nation - and in the opportunity we have to see the Gospel continue in it’s power to transform lives in it’s crossing from one culture to another.
Despite the complexity and challenges involved, it is our hope, prayer and intent to see Park-RP grow in it’s diversity, to the end of becoming an even greater expression of the Gospel’s power to tear down the ‘dividing walls of hostility’ that so commonly keep us apart.
This will involve continuing to see a culture fostered where each of us in humility are willing to de-center ourselves in an effort to make further room for a variety of expressions of belonging, that flow from the tapestry of backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures we desire to see reconciled in Christ and calling Park-RP ‘home’.
Despite the complexity and challenges involved, it is our hope, prayer and intent to see Park-RP grow in it’s diversity, to the end of becoming an even greater expression of the Gospel’s power to tear down the ‘dividing walls of hostility’ that so commonly keep us apart.
This will involve continuing to see a culture fostered where each of us in humility are willing to de-center ourselves in an effort to make further room for a variety of expressions of belonging, that flow from the tapestry of backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures we desire to see reconciled in Christ and calling Park-RP ‘home’.
3. Connection
One of the clearest indicators determining whether individuals and families will be sustained in their commitment to Park-RP, despite the challenges of the city, is the degree to which they are experiencing strong ties of friendship.
Both having a community that can be called on, and a necessary role in the care of others, fosters a resiliency and commitment to place, that is necessary for the longevity required of a church seeking to engage it’s ‘missionary identity’.
With a third of our regular attendees having been with us for two years or less, and a third of our regular attendees in no regular rythm of serving on a Sunday morning, we need to continue being a place of ‘welcome’ and ‘introduction’, where newcomers become known, integrated and have clear pathways to deepening friendship, belonging and purpose.
Both having a community that can be called on, and a necessary role in the care of others, fosters a resiliency and commitment to place, that is necessary for the longevity required of a church seeking to engage it’s ‘missionary identity’.
With a third of our regular attendees having been with us for two years or less, and a third of our regular attendees in no regular rythm of serving on a Sunday morning, we need to continue being a place of ‘welcome’ and ‘introduction’, where newcomers become known, integrated and have clear pathways to deepening friendship, belonging and purpose.
4. Discipleship
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commissions us to ‘make disciples of all nations’, which centers our faith, not on ‘friendship’ and ‘community’ as an end in itself, but rather our collective pursuit of seeing Christ further formed in one another, and in the lives of those around us who are not yet ‘being apprenticed’ to follow after the newness of life offered in Christ.
Dallas Willard, famously wrote, "The most important thing about our lives is who we are becoming."
With 70% of our adult regular attendance comprised of those in their thirties and younger, it is this demographic that most clearly expressed a desire for mentorship and guidance from those more seasoned in their walk with Christ. This will entail us working together to define and develop a culture of greater ‘discipleship’ at Park-RP, that spans across the full spectrum of demographics, ministries and generations within our church body.
With 70% of our adult regular attendance comprised of those in their thirties and younger, it is this demographic that most clearly expressed a desire for mentorship and guidance from those more seasoned in their walk with Christ. This will entail us working together to define and develop a culture of greater ‘discipleship’ at Park-RP, that spans across the full spectrum of demographics, ministries and generations within our church body.
Thank you church family for your participation as we continue in our pursuit of Christ and His glory!! Going forward the plan will be to discuss these 'FOUR KEY WORDS' with each of our various ministries at Park-RP! What a beautiful purpose we have to live as witnesses of Christ's work in the world together!
With love in Christ,
Phil
With love in Christ,
Phil
Upcoming
Serving at Park-RP
When you join a serving team, you're not just volunteering; you're becoming an integral part of our church family. It's where friendships begin, where commitment is strengthened, and where you will truly start to feel like you belong.
Giving at Park-RP
We believe that giving is an act of worship. It recognizes God as the owner and source of all we have. It is our cheerful response to God in praise of His radical generosity towards us.
Neighborhood Partners
Collaboration allows us to leverage our strengths, compensate for our weaknesses, and reach areas and demographics of our city that might otherwise remain untouched.
Ministry Calendar
Children's Ministry Update
Gospel Project Unit 28 (Jesus is Alive) Description: Jesus’ resurrection was no secret. For 40 days, Jesus appeared to His disciples and hundreds of others so that they would know He is alive forevermore. Jesus wants everyone to know Him, trust Him, and live for Him.
SESSION 1 (4/7): Jesus Appeared to the Disciples (Luke 24)
SESSION 2 (4/14): Jesus Appeared to Thomas (John 20)
SESSION 3 (4/21): Jesus Forgave Peter (John 21)
SESSION 4 (4/28): God Wants Us to Know Him (Matthew 28)Memory Verse: John 17:3
Note, in May we will be transitioning to Brite Curriculum. This is an exciting change that will provide new materials for families to follow along throughout the week so please do keep your eyes peeled for that!
Events/ Outreach:
* April is Global Awareness month across all the Park locations so each week we will be integrating a Global slot into our kids ministry time. This will include videos from some of our Global partner kids, which we hope will encourage and inspire our Kids!
If you have recently joined our church or have a new child please register them here.
SESSION 1 (4/7): Jesus Appeared to the Disciples (Luke 24)
SESSION 2 (4/14): Jesus Appeared to Thomas (John 20)
SESSION 3 (4/21): Jesus Forgave Peter (John 21)
SESSION 4 (4/28): God Wants Us to Know Him (Matthew 28)Memory Verse: John 17:3
Note, in May we will be transitioning to Brite Curriculum. This is an exciting change that will provide new materials for families to follow along throughout the week so please do keep your eyes peeled for that!
Events/ Outreach:
* April is Global Awareness month across all the Park locations so each week we will be integrating a Global slot into our kids ministry time. This will include videos from some of our Global partner kids, which we hope will encourage and inspire our Kids!
If you have recently joined our church or have a new child please register them here.
Maddy Hutchens
Pre-Service Prayer
Join us every Sunday 9:00am in the Nursery to lift up our worship service and the happenings of Park Rogers Park up to the Lord.
