Covenant Member Update:
July 2026
Park Church family,
“And life is all our moments in a row.” This line from a song I listened to on repeat in high school (“Burn and Shine” by The Elms) has never quite left me, and I think for good reason. In our world swirling with headlines that torment the imagination, choices that riddle the soul, and delights that tantalize the senses, it proves difficult to keep the main thing the main thing (or to even remember what the main thing is supposed to be).
Jesus talked about this. Even in His cultural moment—which likely feels slow, menial, and option-less compared to our own—He saw how splintered the human heart can be. Broad is the path that leads to destruction, and just about everybody finds that one. Makes sense. That road has so many lanes full of customizable and optimizable pursuits that it can meet any desire palate. There’s another path though. It’s narrow. It requires a type of death-to-self if we are to enter it. But it produces life and unending beauty as it’s walked. This is the way of life, and comparably few find it.
One of the foreboding threats to our ability to faithfully follow the way of Jesus in our cultural moment is just how digital and distracted our lives have become. The rapid technological advancements of the past couple of decades have catapulted daily life into a nearly constant connectivity and an almost assumed screen-based living. As a leadership team, we see these dynamics as worthy of direct teaching and pastoral attention. Starting Sunday, August 9, we launch a new mini-series titled “Being With Jesus in Our Digital and Distracted Age.” We will take up these particular challenges with the clear aim of experiencing a deeper communion with Jesus for the sake of our souls, our connection to God, the strengthening of our relationships, and the good of the world.
Here’s our overarching vision for the series:
We live in a world designed to capture our attention, shape our desires, and form our habits. But toward what end?
In today’s society—teeming with options, distractions, and screen-based interactions—who are we becoming? Brain research and sociological studies suggest that digital technologies are not merely a set of tools we use—they compose a powerful force that disciples us toward particular ways of thinking, feeling, and living. Over and above that, we are called and compelled to be with Jesus and to follow His way of life, for He is the one who redeems us and shows us what it means to be human–even and especially amidst the distinct challenges of our modern era.
This series invites our church family to consider the deeper and necessary question: How do we faithfully live as disciples of Jesus in our digital and distracted age?
During these five weeks, we will explore how digital technologies affect our awareness, relationships, bodies, habits, and attention—and how the practices of Christian discipleship can help us become people who are more attentive to God, more present with others, and more fully alive in Christ. The goal is not mere behavior modification or digital minimalism. The goal is formation into the likeness of Jesus, who instructs us to steward our daily lives and the technologies in front of us according to His good design.
In order to more fully integrate the teaching from God’s Word with our daily lives and relationships, our team has designed a resource as a companion to this series. This resource will include the sermon text with room for annotation, dot grid pages for notes, weekly summaries, reflection and discussion questions, and three key exercises. Reserve your copy today! (We’re asking for a donation of $3 per workbook to help offset some of the printing costs.) We’ll have these available for pick-up starting this Sunday, August 2, at the Welcome Desk.
Here’s a preview of our series workbook! Stay tuned for a fuller unpacking of the artwork from artist Seth Coulter. For now, take a moment to view the artwork below and consider the beautiful way of Jesus amidst the distractions of our digital age.
MINISTRY RESIDENTS
Our two-year Ministry Residency has entered its fourth installment! We have had the pleasure of welcoming five new residents into our 2028 class. This summer, they have been applying themselves to sharing their sense of call to local church ministry and inviting prayer and financial partnership from those in their communities. Would you be willing to reach out to one or more of our new residents to hear a bit of their stories and encourage them toward all God has for them? Some of our residents are still raising financial support as well. We invite you to consider a one-time or monthly partnership to help them cross the finish line. At the least, please take a couple of minutes to pray for them by name as they enter this two-year season of ministry and leadership development. Learn a bit more and find email links below:
Brooke Connolly • Park Students Resident
Brooke Connolly has been at Park Church for the past two and a half years and is now a resident with Park Students. She loves walking alongside the next generation through discipleship, caring for their spiritual and emotional well-being, and encouraging students to become lifelong followers of Jesus. Outside of church, Brooke is an avid reader and runner and loves investing time in the lives of students.
Simon Crust • Liturgy & Arts Resident
Hey! My name is Simon Crust, and I am a recent graduate of Colorado Christian University. In my spare time, I love to climb, teach voice and guitar lessons, and shoot with my film camera.
Jin Fager • Missions Resident
I’m Jin Fager! With my husband Marcus and our son Skandar, we’re a family happiest outdoors, hiking with our dogs or gathered around a game of Lord of the Rings and other board games with friends. I’m honored to serve as the Mission Resident for Park, building relationships and community both in the church and with those around us, as our family discerns God’s plan and what it looks like to be faithful in pursuing missions.
Kendall Meyer • Park Students Resident
Email Kendall • Support Kendall
Hello, I’m Kendall Meyer! I’m an enjoyer of niche Christian music and a good book (whether fiction or non), as well as an amateur outdoor adventurer. I’m excited to encourage students with the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Caleb Shaw • Community Resident
Howdy, y’all! The South has been my stompin’ grounds for most of my life, having been born in Arkansas and done my undergrad in Texas. I have ventured out west many times, but moved up to Denver in July 2025 to begin graduate school at Denver Seminary. My life can (generally) be observed by the type of shoes I’m wearing: Cowboy boots, soccer cleats, hiking/hunting boots, waders, ski boots, climbing shoes, and running shoes. Really excited to be working to support y’all in your personal lives and in the mission and vision of Park Church over the next two years.
JOIN A TEAM AT PARK CHURCH
As a church family and as followers of Jesus, we are each invited into Park Church’s ministry “work” for the good of this church and the city around it. We accomplish this through groups of people that provide different, simple acts of service, care, and hospitality. These are called “Teams,” and within each Team we form and are formed by one another, unifying and strengthening our community at Park Church even as we serve. This is an accessible way to embody Jesus’ command that we love one another (John 13:34) and to see the many parts of the body actively working for the whole (1 Corinthians 12).
Our call is for every member of Park Church to be involved in at least one Team. Teams with particular needs in this current season include Audio & Video, Communion, Facilities, Park Kids, Park Students, Prayer, and Security.
Use the button below to apply for any Team you’re interested in serving with. We’ll connect you to the appropriate Team Lead! Use the button below to apply for any Team you’re interested in serving with and you’ll be connected to the appropriate Team Lead. We’re excited to grow as a family as we love and serve one another in new ways.
Join a TeamPARK CHURCH ADVISORY TEAM
The Park Church Advisory Team is a discerning community that provides feedback and recommendations to the Governing Elders in areas related to vision and values, whole-church initiatives and partnerships, and future emphases and objectives. You may not always see the leadership of this team, but I assure you that you feel its effects. Several times per year, this team gathers to practice discernment through listening prayer, question-asking, and intentional conversation to, Lord willing, see more clearly where Jesus is leading His church.
Earlier this ministry year, we had the privilege of welcoming Emily Pingel to our Advisory Team! Emily Pingel and her husband Chris have been at Park Church for 11 years. They have four children and have faithfully served as GC co-leaders for the past seven years. Emily has served in various capacities in Park Kids and Park Kids Club and has participated in women’s Bible studies and cohorts throughout the years in addition to serving as a table leader in Mom Life.
At the end of this month, Erin Olson, who has been part of our Advisory Team since its inception, will complete a three-year term on the team! Erin has richly shaped our discernment and the direction of our church through her insight, presence, and experience-shaped wisdom. She is stepping away to make space to work on her doctorate and co-lead her Gospel Community. Erin has been at Park Church 11 years and continues to serve in a variety of areas throughout our church family.
BUILDING PROJECT UPDATES
As you’ve heard (and likely seen), we are well underway on our construction project. God’s faithfulness has been evident as we launched into the project in May of this year. Our top floor is nearing completion and—quite literally—space is being carved out for our elevator! As a quick reminder, you can receive text updates about our building project by texting parkchurch to 720-914-1949.
Please continue in prayer. “Unless the LORD builds the house, we labor in vain” (from Psalm 127). This is true in every facet of our individual and collective lives, and we want to humbly walk in its reality. We need God’s grace and wisdom each step of the way. Let’s be a church that embodies this life of dependence upon the provision, protection, and guidance of Jesus.
Our plan is to schedule another All-Church Move Day once we have full clarity on when the next transition of spaces will need to take place. It was a delight to see how you all showed up ready to serve back in May. Let’s gear up to do it again!
Months ago, we called our church family into this season of disruption, not knowing each of the exact forms it would take. You all have entered it beautifully and graciously. Thank you. Let’s continue in that posture as we continue stepping forward. It truly is such a joy to live and love as God’s people alongside you all!
While our Two-Year Vision is much broader and more expansive than our building project, construction costs are a sizable portion of the financial investment we are making toward it. Here’s a snapshot of where our giving campaign is, now over halfway through. If you are curious about your own giving or in a place of discerning how to restructure your commitment, you can find your Gyve account here. On behalf of the church, we are deeply grateful for the sacrificial generosity that you all have sustained.
TOTAL GOAL (MAY 2025-APRIL 2027): $11M
(Operational Expenses + Additional “Strategic Priorities” Giving)
TOTAL RECEIVED (UPDATED 7/22/26): $6,475,128
(59% of goal)
COVENANT MEMBER BBQ 2026: BERKELEY LAKE PARK
We gather annually at the end of each summer for our Covenant Member BBQ in a Denver-area park. Just as we are blessed and sent into our week at the closing of each Sunday worship gathering, the BBQ is meant to be a blessing at the end of summer, sending us into the fall and our new ministry year.
This year, we will gather on Sunday, August 30th, 4-7pm at Berkeley Lake Park!
We’ll also be fed by Que Desmadre, a beloved Mexico City-inspired food truck. Meals are discounted to $4 each and we will also provide sparkling waters (feel free to BYOB and a dessert to share if you’d like).
Please RSVP here. Looking forward to gathering with you all!
May the peace of Christ be with you!
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: March 2026
Monday, March 23, 2026
In May 2025, we formally launched Park Church's Two-Year Vision. Through a period of discerning where we are, what God has given us, and who He is calling us to be in this next season, we identified four strategic priorities to guide our efforts...
See More ›Covenant Member Update: December 2025
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Covenant Member Update:July 2026 Park Church family, “And life is all our moments in a row.” This line from a […]
See More ›Covenant Member Update: September 2025
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Following even a four-minute perusal of recent headlines, we’re likely left feeling as though the world is uniquely out of whack these days. When we can honestly interact with history, we should be pulled back to a more accurate perspective...
See More ›Covenant Member Update: April 2025
Friday, April 11, 2025
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.
See More ›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:July 2026 Park Church family, “And life is all our moments in a row.” This line from a […]
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.
See More ›
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...
See More ›
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.
See More ›