Dear Church Family,
We are excited to share some significant news about the next chapter in our church’s journey! In response to our growing community and our desire to create more opportunities for people to discover Christ, we will be transitioning to two Sunday services (9am and 11am) beginning on January 5, 2025.
As you have likely noticed, our Sunday service has become increasingly full, and our building is reaching capacity for both adults and kids. We believe that every person should have the chance to experience God’s love and grace, and to do that effectively, we need to create space for growth. By moving to two services, we will be able to accommodate more people, and continue fostering a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels invited to grow in faith. This change is not just about numbers, it’s about our mission as a church. We want to be a community that is Living Out God’s Transforming Love to as many people as possible. Through Jesus, we are invited into God’s family, and we want to be a church that always has enough space and capacity to draw others in. Our heart is to create an environment where all people feel they belong – where they can ask questions, seek guidance, and encounter the love of Christ in meaningful ways. We want to ensure that no one is turned away and that every person who walks through our doors has the chance to experience God’s grace.
We recognize that this transition will come with its own set of challenges, but we are confident that it will also bring new opportunities for ministry, connection, and service. We appreciate your support and involvement as we embark on this journey together. This change will require everyone’s help, so if you are not already serving, please consider joining one of our volunteer teams on Sundays. You can fill out this form and someone on our team will be in touch.
We also recognize that this news can stir up many different emotions. Change is hard! There will be a Q&A session on December 8 after service to address any questions or concerns - please click below to read through our Frequently Asked Questions, and bring any additional questions you have to the session on December 8. If you are unable to attend that session, do not hesitate to reach out to Lane Scruggs (Senior Pastor) or Rob Beingessner (Chair of the Elders).
Above all, please join us in praying for our church, for our community, and for all those who will find a place here to discover Christ.
Blessings,
From the Elders, Board, and Staff of Oak Park Church of Christ
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Oak Park moving to two services?
In the spring, the Strategic Planning Committee (commissioned by the Board) was exploring short, mid, and long term plans for the future of our church. This coincided with an influx in our Sunday attendance, along with capacity issues for Kids’ Park. A common marker in the church world is once you have reached 80% capacity in your church sanctuary, you have outgrown your space. Oak Park’s sanctuary currently has 290 chairs, so 80% is 230 people. You can see average attendance stats below. Once we move to two services, quite a few chairs will be removed to make the space more comfortable and accessible for everyone.
Average Sunday attendance (including kids but not including Kids’ Park teachers/helpers):
2022 2023 2024
September 146 167 226
October 161 194 219
November 172 191 265
December 158 204
Who decided to make this change to two services?
This was not an easy or quick decision and it has been carefully and prayerfully considered. The Staff, Board, and Elders have been discussing and praying about how to respond to the growth our church has seen. The leadership has been monitoring attendance averages as we’ve closed in on that 80% threshold. The leadership team met in early November to discuss and finalize this decision, knowing that it takes months of planning and preparation to implement a big change like this.
Would it allow us to stay at one service if the kids went up to Kids’ Park right away rather than coming in for the beginning of service?
Firstly, we believe it’s very important for the kids to start in service downstairs with their families, and to join in on the worship songs with everyone, and, when applicable, to witness the baptisms. Secondly, there have been capacity challenges upstairs in the Kids’ Park classes as well, so dividing the kids between two services will make for more enjoyable and manageable class sizes for the kids, teachers, and helpers.
Will both the 9am and 11am services be the same?
Yes! The sermon, worship, communion, and all other parts of the service will be the same at both times.
Will Kids’ Park be offered at both services?
Yes! The Kids’ Park program will be offered at both services, for the same age range as it currently is (18 months - Grade 6). The particular classes/age groupings will initially stay the same, but may change over time - class attendance numbers will be monitored at both services; any changes will be communicated to parents by Pastor Kate.
What time will the service livestream online?
Only the 9am service will be livestreamed (barring technical issues, in which case the 11am service would be livestreamed instead).
Where can I park?
Parking is available on both the east and west sides of the building, and also on the street (though Oakfield Drive is a snow route, so you’re not allowed to park on it on days they are plowing). Overflow parking is available at the Cedarbrae Community Centre, directly across from the church. Volunteers for each of the services are asked to please park in the Community Centre lot.
Can we still visit and have coffee after the 9am service?
Yes! The services will be slightly shorter than in the past to allow time for people to connect before, in between, and after the services. The cafe station will be available from 8:45am until 12:45pm. The doors to the sanctuary will be closed when the 11am service starts to mitigate the noise from the foyer, but staying/coming early to visit and connect is strongly encouraged.
How can I stay connected with friends who attend a different service?
Please feel free to visit before, after and in between services so that you can cross paths and connect with everyone. You may occasionally enjoy switching up which service you attend, just to see some of the others from the church. As always, we encourage you to be part of a Growth Group, to have a consistent group from the church you can have a deeper connection with on a regular basis. Attending social events the church offers, or planning your own, is another great way to stay connected.
I volunteer on Sundays. Will I have to stay for both services?
Some of the ministries will have volunteers who serve at both service times, while others will have a different team of volunteers for each service. Your volunteer team leader will be able to answer any specific questions regarding changes to your volunteer duties, and will do their best to accommodate what works best for you.
Will the church still have any potlucks or other events for the whole congregation?
Yes! These events will likely happen on a different day than Sunday, so that everyone can gather together.
When will the Annual General Meeting (AGM) take place?
The 2025 AGM Meeting is scheduled for March 30, 2025. It will take place after the 11am service, so all voting members are encouraged to either attend the 11am service that day or return to the church by 12:45pm for the meeting and voting.
When will baptisms and baby dedications take place?
One-time only events like these will take place at whichever service time works best for the people involved. We know it’s hard to miss out, so a video recording of these events will be made available on Oak Park’s YouTube channel or through a link in the weekly email to help maintain a feeling of unity amongst our church family.