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On May 31, our congregation affirmed the Five Directives of the Building. Community. vision plan. Over the next five weeks, we'll take a closer look at each directive, exploring the hopes, goals, and ministries they represent. We hope these weekly highlights will continue to help us better understand the vision we have embraced together and how it will shape the future of Park Road Baptist Church.

Directive: Facilities and Campus Needs

In our previous long-range Visions we used the word “initiative” to describe specific actions intended to come out of the plan. In Building. Community. we have chosen to use the word “Directive,” because of its implication of movement, action, and guidance. Our previous Visions really have guided Park Road, making us the church we are today – our facilities, our leadership structure, our stewardship of openness with our campus. We trust Building. Community. will have the same directional impact on the life of our church for the next chapter.

A church is not about “brick and mortar,” and too many churches and other organizations have spent too much time and money thinking about beautiful facilities. A church is the people, and the emphasis must always remain on the mission of the organization. But…

The work of ministry is sometimes divided into two categories: Pastor and Prophet. Taking care of people. Speaking truth. There is, however, a third category that is equally important. We might call that the Caretaker role. (Sorry, I couldn’t come up with a “p” word for that all important alliteration!) I long ago accepted that as the pastor of a church, part of my responsibility had to be for the institution itself. This means caring for the upkeep and maintenance of the structures that make up the church – the physical structures as well as the grounds, the programs, the staff.

The institution itself is never what the church is about, but I have become an avid “institutionalist” – I believe in the church! And, I believe that without the structures, it’s almost impossible to maintain the mission, care for the people. The buildings (maintenance and utilities) and the programs (budgets and supplies) and the staff (salaries and benefits) all become integral to the mission.

Directive: Facilities and Campus Needs recognizes the importance of caring for our facilities, in order to facilitate (see what I did there!?) the vital mission of Park Road Baptist Church. Next to our Mission Directive, that will involve the construction of a new Children’s and Youth Building, with primary space for the Child Development Center, this Directive is the second-most expensive. It takes money to maintain any institution.

Included in this Directive will be money for refurbishing the sanctuary steeple and the slate roof, replacing walkway, Community Center, and Milford Chapel roofing, and after a new CDC building is constructed, redesigning and replacing our much-deteriorated parking lot.

These may not sound like exciting projects. It’s a little bit like buying tires for your car – but without the tires, what good is a car?

I am glad we have some good people helping us oversee the maintenance of our brick and mortar – so we can continue the Mission and Vision of Park Road, to be a progressive voice for good news in Charlotte.

Every other month on the second Saturday, Park Road volunteers prepare and serve lunch for more than 100 men at the Men's Shelter (1210 N. Tryon St.). Our next opportunity to participate will be on July 11. The work is not difficult, and it's a fun way to get to know some other Park Road members. If you can help on the 11th, please sign up by clicking here or by contacting Dan McClintock:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0945aca92da2fd0-roof#/

I hope you’ll join us in walking alongside the Park Road contingent for the Charlotte Pride Parade. We’ll be joining a host of other churches and organizations in the ally march on Sunday, August 16. More details will come in July, but I am working to get ahead on participation, so if you would like to join us, please sign up in Helt Hall or RSVP to the church’s email (info@parkroadbaptist.org). Someone recently mentioned we are lacking in merchandise, so we’ve decided to order some shirts for all who would like one, whether you can attend or not. We will place a bulk order, so please order by July 26 by emailing info@parkroadbaptist.org. When placing your order, please include the size you would like and which front-of-shirt design you prefer. The back design will be the same on all shirts. The cost of the shirts will depend on the total number ordered; however, we expect to have a ballpark price available in the coming weeks.

There will be no First Wednesday gathering in July, but we hope you'll mark your calendars now for our next First Wednesday on August 5.

In our increasingly isolated world, it's great to have time together around the table, sharing a meal and fellowship face to face. That's what families do! We look forward to gathering again in August and hope you'll join us.

If you're looking for a good summer read or simply something to deepen your faith journey, take a moment to browse the newest additions to the PRBC Library, located in the Community Center.

• A Systematic Theology of Love: Volume 1: God and Creation by Thomas Jay Oord explores the nature of God and creation through the central theme of love.

• Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body: Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults by Missy Buchanan offers thoughtful reflections and encouragement for the spiritual journey of aging.

• Under Her Wings: Spiritual Guidance from Women Saints by Kathy Bence shares wisdom and inspiration drawn from the lives and experiences of women saints throughout Christian history.

The PRBC Library is one of the many resources available to support learning, reflection, and spiritual growth. We hope you'll stop by, browse the shelves, and find a book that speaks to where you are on your journey.

Please note that the church office will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of the July 4th holiday. Because July 4 falls on a Saturday this year, the holiday will be observed on Friday. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend and will resume regular office hours on Tuesday, July 7.

*Youth - are students who will complete grades 6th– 12th during the 2025-2026 school year.

Regular Scheduled Programing is as follows:

• Sunday Mornings, 10a - Preview
  (Currently paused for the Summer, will return on August 23rd.)

*Children - are students who will complete grades K– 5th during the 2025-2026 school year.

Regular Scheduled Programing is as follows:

• Sunday Mornings 9:45-10:45am Children's Sunday School (K-5th) (Currently paused for the Summer, will return on August 23rd.)
• Sunday Mornings 10am-12pm Nursery
• First Wednesdays 5:30pm Dinner/6pm Children's Midweek - The first Wednesday of each month. (No First Wednesday in July)

Coming Up at Park Road

• Sunday Worship

Facebook Live and In-Person - 11am

(Sancutary)

• Sundays

Pickleball - 7:15pm

(Community Center - Gym)

• First Wednesdays (No First Wednesday in July)

Dinner and Vespers

5:30pm Dinner / 6pm Vespers

(Community Center - Gym)

• First and Third Tuesdays

Bible Study and Fellowship - 10am

(Community Center - Room 503)

• Tuesday and Thursdays

Flexercise - 9am

(Community Center - Gym)