by Fran Eaton
Just wanted to gloat a little about the great church our family has been attending for a little over four years . . . Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park. This morning, our pastor rode a Harley-Davidson down the center aisle and up onto center stage, quipping, "That's something I've always wanted to do. . ." and for Father's Day, well, he did it.
Before anyone rolls their eyes, you should know -- the creativity and ingenuity Pastor Tim Harlow and his staff exercises each week is working. Something exciting is happening at Parkview Christian Church.
When we began attending, Parkview met in a small church facility in Tinley Park where on any given Sunday 500 people would gather.
The church moved to the Cook/Will County line on Wolf Road a short time after, and since that time, it's exploded. For the past two years, it was one of the top 100 fastest-growing churches in the nation. This past Easter weekend, the church's five services drew in over 6000 people.
During these years of rapid growth, the church has become a leader in the community for the unborn, encouraging participation and support of crisis pregnancy centers. One of the church's longtime member is prolife activist and now Will County Right to Life President Jill Stanek. On several occasions, Pastor Tim has personally picketed with Jill and hundreds of others in front of Oak Lawn's Christ Hospital against the late term abortions going on inside.
The fearless way in which Tim reaches out into the community has attracted media attention. Last weekend, he invited Hermant Metha, the e-Bay Atheist, to join him in a public discussion about atheism. The amazing three part conversation is available on the church's website here.
Tim has personally encouraged me to stand for truth and righteousness while writing on conservative politics and lobbying in Springfield on family issues. He has politicians, White Sox coaches, multi-millionaires, businessmen, fulltime moms and electricians visit his congregation. He and his staff find a way to touch the hearts of as many as possible each week.
There are questions about Christianity and whether the Christian worldview is relevant in our busy, conflicted world. There are churches all over Illinois who are successfully staying in touch as they reach out to their communities with much-needed answers. Those daring churches not afraid to take on the tough issues of the day are the ones that are thriving.
I'm very proud to say that we have one of them right here in the southwest suburbs. Visit on Saturdays at 6:00 PM or Sundays at 9 and 11 am.
