By Kent Fillinger
PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Orland Park, IL)
Senior Pastor: Tim Harlow
Attendance: 3,234
Size Rank: 22
Launched: 1951
Web site: www.parkviewchurch.com
DEFINING MOMENTS
Defining moments shape and direct individuals and organizations. Abraham experienced his defining moment with his son on an altar. Moses faced his defining moment at a burning bush. And the defining moment for Paul came on a road trip to Damascus. Each of these experiences changed the direction and the outcome of these men”s lives.
The defining moment for Parkview Christian Church and Tim Harlow occurred on August 10, 1997. The faith-based decision the leadership team of Parkview made that Sunday morning altered the trajectory of the church. But defining moments do not just mysteriously appear. The groundwork for this moment had been in process for seven years.
When 28-year-old senior pastor Harlow arrived in 1990 at what was then called Tinley Park Christian Church, the congregation of 150 people was content to have church on Sundays. Tinley Park then was like many churches today””consistent and faithful, but inwardly focused and existing primarily for themselves.
The transformational turnaround of the church started slowly as the vision was delineated and as people were challenged to become externally focused. After a gradual seven-year climb, the church had more than doubled in size to 330 people and outgrown her 10,000-square-foot facility on two acres of land.
The church was faced with the question of relocation. To assist in the decision-making process, the church hired a stewardship consultant, but in order to complete the process, the bylaws required a congregational vote. In essence, an affirmative vote to hire the consultant was a sign of support to relocate the church.
The vote was held on August 10, 1997, and only 56 percent of the congregation voted “yes.” Harlow and the elders gathered together after church to ask the tough question, “What do we do now?” Redirect their vision since much of the church was opposed to the relocation effort, or forge ahead in faith knowing there would be a price to pay?
The leaders decided they needed to proceed. That defining moment shaped the future of the church and solidified them as a church committed to reaching lost people. The capital campaign goal was set for $750,000 over three years, and at the end of the campaign more than $1 million was received.
The success of the campaign was great, but it did not alleviate the pain of seeing many leave the church. A three-year property search followed, and in fall 2002, Parkview moved into a new 25,000-square-foot facility on 18 choice acres in a growing suburb.
One year after that move, Parkview leaders realized the church”s rapid growth required additional space. It undertook a $4.5 million campaign to add 84,000 square feet, including a new worship center with 1,800 seats. The church moved into this phase in March 2006, and attendance has continued to climb. Since that defining moment and decision of faith, Parkview has continued to grow, including a 32 percent jump in 2006. The church is currently averaging almost 3,800 in attendance.
This year Parkview secured the option to purchase 33 adjoining acres. Soon a consultant will help the church decide what”s next.
A warm, genuine, flexible spirit reflects the hearts of the thousands who are growing spiritually at Parkview today. Even more exciting than the growth happening on campus is the growing number of off-campus outreach projects the church is involved with, including church planting (both locally and in the Northeast), sponsoring hundreds of children overseas, and many local projects to inner-city youth and families. Parkview desires to be a launching pad for ministry to influence defining moments in the lives of many for years to come.
Kent Fillinger is president of 3:STRANDS consulting in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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