Covenant Member Update, April 2025
Park Church Family,
Have you taken the opportunity to complete your Commitment Card yet? Please discern, decide, and submit your anticipated giving by Sunday, May 4. (Even if it’s not changing!) This helps our leadership plan effectively and steward wisely. Read more about this (and view the new, 30-minute vision documentary) below!
REFLECTING ON OUR CURRENT SEASON
The Fight between Carnival & Lent
Click to enlarge.
A painting hangs (okay, leans) across my desk that I regularly reflect on. It’s titled “The Fight between Carnival and Lent,” painted in 1559 by Flemish artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder. It highlights an age-old tension we all feel, but in a somewhat satirical way. Artists are often the most creative and effective social critics.
In the painting, there are two arched lines of people meeting in the middle, one emerging from the tavern on the left and the other from a church building on the right. The left-hand entourage represents Carnival (now more commonly known as Mardi Gras), led by “Prince Carnival” himself sitting on the keg near the bottom. Their troupe is characterized by the sensuous pleasures of whimsical indulgence. Eat, drink, and be merry because tomorrow we… comply with the strictures of the church, while secretly protecting private sins.
Along the right, we observe the austere and rather sad-looking religious curmudgeons who either forgot how to smile or have totally gamed the religious system. Their leader is “Lady Lent.” Her whole group has succumbed to an ungodly way of mechanized religion and ascetic piety that pleases virtually no one, least of all God Himself.
Your attention is drawn to the bottom middle where the leaders’ homemade jousts are about to collide. A battle is beginning. Who will win? Which way of life shall prevail?! Joyless religion vs. insatiable irreligion. External piety vs. wholesale lack of restraint. Inhibit the will vs. indulge the flesh. We each feel the daily tension and are often curious about which is the right path to pursue as well.
Pleasure or Piety?
Bruegel depicts the two sides as perhaps well-meaning, but ultimately (and woefully) insufficient, even destructive. When one takes pleasure—a good in itself—and makes it their god, distortion and disarray are eventually birthed. In a similar but opposite fashion, when another takes piety—also good when rightly pursued—and turns it into the full and final pursuit in itself, self-righteousness and hypocrisy become a way of life. Each of us has likely seen instances of these disordered loves in the lives of those dear to us, and within ourselves.
Subtly yet profoundly, Bruegel puts forward an alternate way: In the very center of the painting, you find a couple on the move, faced away from the ensuing battle. Their feet are toward the church building, and yet their eyes are on the people. The husband tenderly guides his wife as they discern a path amidst the mayhem. In the words of Fr. Michael Morris, “[I]t is the middle path taken by this couple in this painting that provides the viewer with food for thought. For this townscape can be seen as a microcosm of life itself and the moral choices one must make on the journey through it. The seasons wax and wane, and as they come and go, they are filled with endless opportunities to temper or temp the wandering soul.”
I would venture to say that this representative battleline between Carnival and Lent delineates much of the misguidance of our own day, which routinely leads us to miss that for which our souls truly ache: God himself. We will do well to take the implicit advice of the painting’s middlemost couple as they turn their path toward a true and better way.
The Fundamental Hunger
We are currently in the season of Lent. As we engage it, let us reject the joyless austerity that can mischaracterize what it’s all about. Humans are designed to be satisfied with the personal and present God who made us. Physical hunger (observed through fasting) may serve as a reminder of this fundamental reality, and will—if we let it—draw us toward him in richer, deeper ways than we’ve previously experienced. Yet there’s more. We are also designed to enjoy the good gifts of the Giver, delighting in and indeed feasting upon the common grace blessings granted to us. But we are to do so in ways that correspond with God’s intentions and wisdom for them, submitting ourselves to the voice of our Creator and Lord.
As we move through the aching hunger of Lent that flowers into the boisterous feasting of Easter and Eastertide, let us hold fast to both sides—and both lessons—of the tension. Where we lack a gift, we are reminded and welcomed to return to God in Christ, who truly satisfies the soul. When we receive a gift, we are called to eat and drink to the glory of God the Provider. Growth in our relationship with Jesus means we learn, bit-by-bit, “to be content…in whatever situation.” We learn “how to be brought low, and…how to abound.” Practicing the seasons of “famine and feasting” of the church calendar helps us increasingly reflect Paul’s posture when he said: “In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).
Our Dynamic Moment
This also points to a greater invitation for us as a church family. Perhaps the best one-word description of the season we’re in at Park Church is “dynamic.” A dynamic system is one marked by regular movement, productive activity, and discernible change. This change may be chosen or it might be thrust upon us. The movement could be welcomed and exciting, or it may be less desirable, even painful and grievous. I suggest that we’re experiencing doses of each of these right now. From staff transitions to a vision campaign to the everyday decisions, challenges, and opportunities we all face—this season is dynamic.
My challenge for us as a church community is to learn to humbly navigate amidst the disruption and to actively depend on God’s Word and Spirit. Jesus never told us to anticipate the narrow road being free from toil, heartache, and real threats. Quite the opposite. A life pursuing the way of Jesus—individual and collective—is marked by a real cost. We often remind our young boys (and ourselves with them), “You can do hard things.” Indeed we can, but not because we are self-sufficient. As we look to Jesus, the One who has marked for us the path of suffering, we are strengthened by his love and ever-present Spirit to image him in the way of fruitful living through sacrifice.
And yet, as the author of Hebrews vividly reminds us, it was for the joy that was set before Him that Jesus actively chose and endured the suffering in front of him. There is an abiding joy available to us that both transcends and uproots shallower definitions of what life truly is. There is a sweetness to staying close to Jesus that is designed to be the dominant flavor, no matter the dynamics before us.
We sense real opportunity for Park Church to be further wielded by God in his mission to the city and to the nations. This will require a prioritization to – and at times a restructuring of – how we approach our daily walk with Jesus. Let us together continue to actively seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. This abiding life is the only kind that bears the lasting fruit God intends for his people. This is the life that is truly life.
As we continue in this season, and in some key ways embark on new aspects of it, let us be attentive to our own hearts and actively dependent on the God who is able to do far more than we could ask or imagine. What a joy it is to lead into the future as a part of this church family. Thank you for your integral part in it.
ENGAGING OUR TWO-YEAR VISION
Two-Year Vision Documentary
Our full, 30-minute documentary of the two-year vision is now live! I encourage you to pop a bag of popcorn (or pour a bowl of cereal, which is our preference) and watch it (it’s here on this page!). This mini-documentary captures our four strategic priorities through the voices and stories of those in our church family. Please thank Steve Vanderheide and James Stukenberg for their phenomenal work on the project!
Watch Party
Want to watch it with a group and interact around some live Q&A? We are hosting a watch party on Wednesday, April 30, 6pm at the church building. We’ll provide a light dinner, show the documentary (at about 6:30pm), and create space for questions and responses with a handful of our leaders. Please RSVP so we can plan well. Children are welcome!
RSVPDigital Commitment Card
Thank you to those who have already contributed financially to the vision! For those who are in the discernment process, hopefully you were able to take one of our physical Commitment Cards home with you from a Sunday service. You can also find our digital version of the Commitment Card online (it does the math for you!).
Additionally, you can continue to engage our two-year vision landing page, which we regularly update as new elements are available. Thank you all for how you are leaning in and leading through this season with us.
Digital Commitment CardOur Next Family Meeting
You can also RSVP for our next Family Meeting on Sunday, May 18! We look forward to seeing you there.
RSVPSTAFF UPDATES & OPEN POSITIONS
We have a handful of updates to share with you about our staff team as well as some open staff positions. Please take a moment to congratulate those you know and pass along the position descriptions to anyone you think may be interested. Thank you!
Staff Updates
Emma Brockmann has accepted the position of Park College Campus Lead. In this expanded role, she will provide leadership and support to the discipleship-focused ministry of the Park College Team on college campuses and with college students at Park Church. She will assist in leading and developing college residents, oversee campus ministry plans, and maintain personal ministry with students.
Danny Fuhr has served wonderfully as our Park College Resident for the past two years. During his residency, he has led, taught, discipled, curated content, mentored students, and carried the responsibilities of church ministry in faithful and fruitful ways. He has also grown tremendously as a leader and a follower of Jesus. We will pray for and commission him into his next season at our upcoming Family Meeting.
Trinity DeHerrera has accepted the position of Park Kids Program Coordinator. In this expanded role, she will strengthen the children and families of Park Church through providing administrative, tactical, and educational support to the Park Kids Ministry. She will work alongside Melanie Hacker to create and implement an environment that fosters family discipleship.
Trent Cochran, currently a Park Students Resident, has agreed to step in as our Interim Director of Park Students. He will oversee and provide much of the teaching, programming, discipleship, outreach, and care for the middle and high schoolers of Park Students. Additionally, he will work with the broader staff team to find integrated ways to build a discipleship ecosystem for parents and families.
Madelynne Starbeck has served beautifully as a Park Students Resident these past two years. As she is nearing the completion of her residency, we are discerning with her a part-time role to continue her phenomenal work in discipling, investing in, teaching, and curating a fun and Jesus-centered environment for our students. We are grateful for her to continue with the team.
Seth Coulter has accepted the part-time position of Art Coordinator. In this new role, he will work alongside JD Raab and Joel Limpic in the realms of art and storytelling for the good of our church family and our arts community. This will include artwork strategy, direction, and design; fostering relationships and discipleship within the arts community; and curating and sharing content. Welcome to the team, Seth!
Open Positions
Director of Care & Counseling
The ideal person for this role thrives in being attentive to the pastoral needs of others, has an ability to discern needs and ways of addressing them, and can sustain logistics to effectively connect people and execute ministry. The primary responsibilities include providing “triage” for counseling needs in our church family, organizing and leading our lay counseling team (currently around 20 people), and giving oversight to the benevolence fund and other ministries.
Position DescriptionOpen Positions: Ministry Residencies
Our residency program creates the opportunity to understand and practice contextualized ministry, grow as an integrated and dynamic leader, and develop practically and theologically as a follower of Jesus. Residencies are full-time, support-raised positions with a two-year timeframe. Time, training, and community are provided for support-raising. Current openings are in the realms of communication, community and formation, Park College, Park Kids, Park Students, Worship, and Young Adults.
Learn More about Park Church Ministry ResidenciesWith love and gratitude,
Neil Long
Executive Pastor
Past Covenant Member Resources
This page is home to Covenant Member updates, Family Meeting recordings, and digital versions of reports, shown from most recent to least.
Covenant Member Update: February 2025
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
We continue to be stunned by God’s kindness. Thanks to His provision and the generosity of this church family, our end-of-year giving came in at $295,000 over budget!
See More ›Covenant Member Update: November 2024
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Around this time of year, many of us brace ourselves for the onslaught of holiday happenings—some welcomed, some not so much. Here’s an invitation to pause.
See More ›Covenant Member Update: August 2024
Sunday, August 25, 2024
What does it mean for a human person to flourish? What is required to experience the "life and life to the full" Jesus has designed for us?
See More ›Covenant Member Update: March 2024
Friday, March 22, 2024
We’re now a few Sundays into the season of Lent. As we’ll often say around Park, we seek to be instructed by church tradition, never ruled by it.
See More ›Covenant Member Update: October 2023
Monday, October 23, 2023
Whenever the people of God (that is, the church) come together on a Sunday or in a Gospel Community, we can be understood as the "church gathered," people gathered to worship God and grow together.
See More ›Covenant Member Update: July 2023
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
In 2008 a couple dozen people gathered in a Highlands basement for a weekly Bible study with the hopes of joining God in a movement toward Gospel renewal in Denver.
See More ›Family Meeting: May 21, 2023
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Covenant Member Update: April 2023
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
A tension runs throughout my life that's arguably nowhere more pronounced than during this time of year. Maybe you can relate. I desire for my life to be oriented around and structured toward the voice and presence of Jesus. When asked what determines my priorities, my time, my thought life, I want my answer to be a perpetual, "the personal triune God, of course"...
See More ›Family Meeting: February 12, 2023
Sunday, February 12, 2023
A time for Covenant Members to celebrate what God is doing, pray over what He may do next, and share a meal together.
See More ›Covenant Member Update: December 2022
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Covenant Member Update, April 2025 Park Church Family, Have you taken the opportunity to complete your Commitment Card yet? Please […]
See More ›Family Meeting: November 14, 2022
Monday, November 14, 2022
Family Meetings are a time for Covenant Members and members in-process to look back on God's kindness, get updates on where we are now, and look forward to what God will do in the months and years to come.
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Semester Update Booklet: Fall 2022
Monday, November 14, 2022
This report was handed out at our Family Meeting on November 14, 2022.
See More ›Covenant Member Update: October 2022
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Our elders and staff routinely sit back in awe at God's kindness at Park Church. The past year or so has introduced heartache we never wished for, some of which was self-wrought. We’re humbled and yet remain grateful. We’re humbled by what we now see but didn't before (and are still learning). We’re humbled and grateful at how God has preserved us with such remarkable grace to be where we are right now. And we’re incredibly grateful we have the privilege to pastor and minister within a church family that includes each of you. Thank you for your continued presence, care, and investment.
See More ›An Update on the Basement
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
If you've been downstairs at the Park Church building in the last year, you've noticed the plastic sheeting, the scaffolding, and the bare concrete...
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Christian Practices Survey Report: August 2022
Thursday, September 1, 2022
This survey was conducted mid-service on Sunday, August 21, 2022 at Park Church as a part of our annual Mission series. Responses were collected anonymously through an online form and paper response sheets. This report exists to make the results accessible to our congregation for discussion and growth.
See More ›Sunday Worship Gathering Updates
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Earlier this week the Denver County Health Department issued a Public Health order requiring masks at all indoor public gatherings. Starting this Sunday, November 28th, we will be requiring masks at all Park Church gatherings.
See More ›Covenant Membership Renewal
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Through the broken body and shed blood of Jesus, those who trust in Him are ushered into covenant relationship with the Triune God and with the spiritual family He has created...
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Annual Report: 2022–2021
Monday, October 25, 2021
This report was handed out at our Family Meeting on October 25, 2021.
See More ›Sunday Worship Gathering Updates
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
It has been a gift to gather in-person again after a long and often lonely season. We are so thankful for this, yet we also recognize that this pandemic is not over. We are all working through how to live in that difficult tension...
See More ›Sunday Worship Gathering Updates
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
We are encouraged by recent announcements from the CDC and the City of Denver that vaccinated people can go without wearing masks in most indoor and all outdoor environments.
See More ›Family Meeting, January 31 2021
Sunday, January 31, 2021
A panel of Park Church staff and members discussed Park Church Downtown and responded to questions.
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