Our Mission & Vision

Building A Community Of Faith

What do these words mean to us from a Christian perspective?

Building

North Park will be a church that is continually looking forward to the call of God, always striving to be active, dynamic, open and deliberate in growing spiritually, emotionally and physically.  Essential to this building is a mindset of outreach, a foundation in Christ, the direction of the Holy Spirit, the instruction of the Holy Bible and the communication of prayer.  We are committed to building, not just standing still!  (Matthew 28:19-20; I Peter 2:4-5; Psalm 127:1)

Community

North Park will strive to be a caring, supportive, open and reaching church family.  We seek to be a community/family of God that is filled with a diversity of God’s children.  Essential to fostering this community is true corporate worship, a ministry of care and encouragement, an atmosphere of prayer and concern for each other, and a common goal of being Christ-like in our love for all.  We are committed to a true Biblical image of community.  (Matthew 22:37-40; Ephesians 4:29, 32; I Thessalonians 5:11)

Faith

North Park is a community of faith – faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is on this faith that we build our community.  Essential to our faith experience is meaningful worship in which we experience the presence of God, an active and affirming prayer life, Biblical teaching and preaching for all ages, and an awareness of the presence, power and leading of the Holy Spirit.  We are committed to a Biblically based faith experience in Jesus Christ.  (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:6-7; Matthew 7:24-25)

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.  – Acts 2:42-47

Leadership Team:

Our leadership team recognizes the authority of God, and realizes that we are shepherds who serve under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We desire to devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. Our passion and goal is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry until we all attain maturity in the fullness of Christ.

 

Pastor Paul Fazio

As the primary teaching pastor, Pastor Paul has a passion for unpacking the truths of Scripture. He has served at  North Park Reformed  Church for twelve years. He and his wife have two children.

 

 

Consistory

The Consistory comprises elected and ordained officers responsible for overall administration of the ministry of North Park.  The Consistory oversees and collaborates with Ministry Teams to enable the church to praise and honor God, demonstrate Christ’s love and do His work.

The Consistory is composed of five Elders and five Deacons.  These individuals are chosen by God, empowered through spiritual gifts and abilities, and affirmed through nomination and election by the congregation.  Ordained staff (i.e., Senior Pastor) also serves on Consistory; the Senior Pastor usually moderates Consistory meetings.

 

Ministry Teams

Overseen by Consistory and guided by charters, Ministry Teams encourage and pursue the work of Christ within the church, the community and the world.

Ministry Teams identify, design and carry out ministry activities in the following areas:

Administration

:  Responsible for financial business and planning, including developing the annual budget in cooperation with the Deacons; insurance, taxation and government issues; physical plant needs, including planning, development and maintenance of church properties; annual performance review of paid (non-ordained) staff; and related business issues.
 

Caring & Fellowship

:  Responsible for facilitating regular visitation of shut-ins, care and support for the ill; encouragement for those in emotional and spiritual need; small groups ministry; and regular activities and events that bring the family of North Park together to build fellowship and unity. This work is done in partnership with the Caring Elder and Caring Deacon.
 

Education & Youth

:  Responsible for educational and discipleship programs, events and staffing, including Sunday School (all ages), youth programming and related activities.
 

Mission & Outreach

:  Responsible for planning and implementing outreach activities; mission projects; activities that welcome and engage visitors; missionary communications; and related efforts to share Christ’s love and the Gospel message beyond the walls of North Park.
 

Worship

:  Responsible for planning and implementing worship- and music-related ministries and support systems that seek to glorify God and allow worshipers to experience Him.  This team works closely with the Senior Pastor.

 

Affiliation:

We are a congregation of the Reformed Church in America (www.rca.org) and a church in the Southwest Michigan Classis. (http://www.swmiclassis.org)