The Values We Pursue
At Parkside Church, we don’t pretend we’re the most devout or most hipster church around. Both of those labels would get exhausting. That said, we do think we contribute something unique to the Christian community in Charleston. To be who we think God is calling us to be, we are committed to pursuing thoughtfulness, inclusivity, humility, and simplicity in all things.
Thoughtfulness
We know you’re smart, so we try to avoid religious cliches and platitudes. The good news is that since God made our brains, we’re convinced that God would like us to use them too. We’re not offended by skepticism and questions are welcomed here, literally. We do anonymous text-in Q&A after every sermon.
Inclusivity
It’s more than a trendy buzzword here. The good news is that all people without exception are welcome to participate in the life of the community. We value the gifts and perspectives that women, persons of color, and LGBTQ people bring to a diverse community. Or to speak Southern, y’all means all.
Humility
We could be wrong about everything, and so could you. The good news is that our hope is not that we are right about every issue, but that the radical grace of God is sufficient to make us in right relationship with God and one another. Humility then doesn’t mean we change our minds, but in light of our own brokenness and God’s merciful goodness, it does lead to a change in our hearts.
Simplicity
Life is already overbooked for most of us. A myriad of church programs either exhaust us trying to attend them, or make us feel guilty or disconnected if we don’t. The good news is that God doesn’t want us spending all our free time in the church, but rather with the people the Spirit has placed in our daily lives. To that end, our church calendar is light and simple.