Parkview Christian Church

This church is pretty awesome. I have been coming to the church for a good two years now. The message is always super easy to grasp and relatable, while also referencing scripture quite a lot. The messages Pastor Tim preaches are both entertaining and teach valuable lessons, while being biblically based. It’s a fantastic place to learn and grow in your relationship with God. They even offer free coffee and tea before and after services. They do the same service 6 times, so I can always find a time in my weekend to spend with God. They regularly host small groups and classes throughout the year to help you grow in your faith. Great place to start if you are wondering if Christianity is right for you.

I accidentally drove past this place after their Christmas service was letting out. Droves of people poured out of it and I got stuck there for like an hour. Total disaster. None of them know how to exit a parking lot. Whoever is running the show here needs to let these people out in shifts after they exit their church that looks more like a mall. One Star.

I was an atheist before Parkview. I attend the Lockport campus. People who think it’s about the money are wrong. If you want a warm, giving, generous place to worship… it takes some money to make that happen. Pastor Tim speaks the language of the people that are living the lives of Christians, and also those wanting to be Christians. He doesn’t try to be more than he is, or more than you are. Yes, you can come as you are, and how you look. We are not perfect, and this church welcomes that. I have NEVER been asked for more money. My daughter loves going to Sunday services. Rock band is so misleading. It’s a worship group that sings the word of god. If your looking for less rules, and a pastor that speaks to you… not AT you… come and join us.

It isn’t exactly what I was looking for in terms of strengthening my faith but I don’t know if I’ll ever find a church that comes this close to it. The congregation is as friendly as the pastor’s are convincing. There is no hard sell here. It is a group of people who care about the group of people. Do you want to actually enjoy a service then this is the place to go. Check it out and prove me wrong if you can.

OK, the last thing on Earth I’d ever thought of myself writing a review on would be a Church. I was born and raised Catholic. 12 years of Catholic school (Gr 1 through 12), then a Catholic university for college. I rarely talked about the Church except for my wedding and then the abuse scandals. I gradually fell away from Catholicism after my divorce, and pretty much went about life as an agnostic. I also stereotyped most people who went to «new» churches to be a bunch of poorly educated, mindless zombies (think 80’s and 90’s Born-​Again Christians). When a friend invited me to Parkview, I was skeptical to say the least.
As soon as I came in my expectations were blown away. I was expecting someone at the door to take my name, phone #, e-​mail address, and harass me to join the Church. Instead what I found were volunteers willing to introduce themselves and help you find your way around the place (it’s enormous). Nobody pressured me in any way. There’s a lot going on in this place– as I said, it’s huge. You can get a cup of coffee (free) or browse all the activities and community events they have. NOT ONCE did someone ask me for my personal information, ask for a donation, or harass me to convert to some crazy extremist form of Christianity.
The service itself I loved. They have a great band with amazing singers. Pastor Tim is the head guy here, and he gave a lovely sermon about Christmas and the meaning of the colors in the Bible. (Long story– go to the website if you want to watch it). The Congregation were all enthusiastic without being annoying. The message really was «come as you are… .we’re all in different situations in life, and nobody is going to be judged on your depth of love of God and Jesus». This was so refreshing. I remember going to Church with my cousins in the late 80’s, and they belonged to one of those crazy-​ass Fundamentalist churches where you had someone hovering over you telling you that you were going to hell unless you came to their crazy church every week. This was such a breath of fresh air… literally a new perspective on my own relationship with God and the Church.
Overall I really like this place a lot. I’ve never been asked for money (other than the regular collection), and because of that I actually gave a donation online. My kids (who attend Catholic school) came here, too, and they didn’t want to go to Catholic church anymore LOL
I can’t say Christianity is for everyone, but I will say that if you feel like you need to revisit your relationship with Christ and God, this is a great place to do it. I plan on coming here often, as I really feel my spirit has been renewed, which makes me a better person the other 6 days of the week.

The best Christmas Service, this church is the Biggest thing I miss living in Orland Park.
Pastor Tim is always amazing !!

Parkview is a great church and they do an excellent job of delivering God’s message. Unfortunately, after 10 years of attending, my family and I had to move on. The music is just too loud. Parkview is focusing their efforts on the younger crowd who is leaving the church (not just Parkview, all churches). IMHO, they can still do this without blasting the music at you. Even my teenagers, who have loved Parkvirew over the years, no longer enjoy the worship part of the service. I wish they would reconsider this as we loved the church. But, you can’t please everyone so instead of complaining about it, we have moved on. If the volume of the band does not bother you, Parkview is a great church and I highly recommend it,

Parkview Christian Church:
I have a lot to say about this place. But first, let me give you some background:
I grew up as a Catholic, as did the majority of the people who attend Parkview Christian Church. The Catholic Church asked for money too much, had too many sex scandals, boring masses, and a very archaic philosophy (no birth control). One of the reasons of the success of Parkview is because of the large Catholic population in the Chicago suburbs. They see Parkview as an «alternative» to Catholic Church, or as a «fun» church (rock band, laid back pastor who wears jeans and tells jokes, celebrity appearances). Contemporary Christian churches are not common in the Chicago suburbs. I have attended contemporary churches in the south when I was stationed at Fort Sill and Fort Gordon for military training, and they are a lot more common there.
I first attended Parkview in the mid-​2000s (2008 maybe?). When I first attended, there was no pressure to donate money. Pastor Tim said «please don’t feel pressured to donate, if you can donate, that’s great, if you can’t afford it, that’s fine too. We want you to feel comfortable here at Parkview.» Fast-​forward a few years. Parkview started an initiative called «Cannonball.» They REALLY pushed donating and tithing. It was no longer church we were attending, it was a sales pitch. They wanted to expand Parkview, make a chapel, and «plant» churches in poorer areas, along with getting bigger TV screens and new equipment. Sure, as the congregation gets larger, Parkview should expand. But on Sundays, we come here for church service, not to be told we should be giving money to Parkview. It was an hour of listening to Pastor Tim talk about why we should «give to God» even if we are struggling with our finances, because «God will bless you later on.» This was a direct contradiction with how Parkview used to be. And does God really need bigger tv screens? I’d rather my money go to help the poor or sick.
Fast forward a little bit after Cannonball. Donations are now collected at the BEGINNING of services, and Pastor Tim directed everyone to say «It’s collection time, Parkview!!!» and the church would cheer and applaud.
Pre-​Cannonball, Parkview was great. It was very «come as you are» and «no pressure.» Now, they’re making the congregation feel the same guilt as they felt when they went to Catholic Church.
I eventually became an atheist, but still attend Parkview every now and then with my family (my immediate and extended family attends Parkview on Sundays still to this day.)
Fast-​forward to last year. Pastor Tim invited Lee Strobel, a famous Christian apologist, to speak to the congregation. It was a service entitled «Why Science?» Lee Strobel wrote a very popular book called «The Case For Christ.» He was a «former atheist» who grew up in the Chicagoland area. Lee tried to convice the congregation that there is scientific evidence for God and Jesus, rather than believing in him just on faith alone. I had a problem with this, because Lee used many logical fallacies, and the only «proof» he offered was a syllogism used by William Lane Craig. He had a captive audience, and there wasn’t anyone else to debate with him. Again, this is a contradiction to the «early» Parkview, where Pastor Tim invited Hemant Mehta, a famous atheist blogger known as the «friendly atheist» to speak, debate, and have dialogue in front of the congregation.
Pastor Tim believes in young-​earth Creationism, and in his discussion with Hemant, stated that he doesn’t believe evolution should be taught in schools as fact. This is very disheartening. I thought Parkview would be a very progressive church, but I now see it for what it really is: It’s just a regular Baptist church in the Chicago Suburbs that begs you for money and believes humans existed with dinosaurs.
With that being said, everybody at Parkview is very friendly. They shake your hand at the door and offer free coffee. Pastor Tim is an extraordinarily nice man. I used to volunteer at Parkview, and Pastor Lonnie called and left a voice mail on my birthday wishing me a happy birthday.
Parkview is a great community, but they aren’t what they used to be.

Come as you are!

I only visited once but I was impressed. The pastor was down to earth and seemed like a regular guy. The word was relevant and it felt good that as a believer I was able to partake in communion. I went on a Saturday night and I did have to walk a little farther than I would have liked because the parking lot was full and the service was packed but one of the ushers found me a seat. I grabbed a visitor’s folder on my way out and it seems that they also have a lot of ways to give back and get involved. Also there was a little diversity which was a plus and you can show up in blue jeans and gym shoes and no one is going to look at you weird because I was dressed up and I felt out of place. LOL. Just kidding.

Come for the coffee & leave with a message, knowledge & a good feeling. I seem to learn more in 45 minutes here than I ever have In all my years of going to traditional Catholic Churches. Park view throws traditional out the window & makes all feel welcome. Music, video & theater are used quite a bit in their services. First I head over to their coffee stations & pour a good cup of coffee. Then I find a seat where the first 15 minutes is more rock concert than church. But then the pastor & crew delivers a message of god in a way that the average person «gets it». As I mentioned earlier there are many mediums used to help in delivery.

I love this church. I’ve grown up in a Christian home my whole life, and this is honestly the first church I can sit through without nodding my head embarrassingly and falling asleep. So, yes, this is how I know it’s good.
Great messages, funny too. Gets me excited to go to church. Keep at it Parkview! Whatever you’re doing, it works.

Been a Catholic for 47 years, then a friend invited me to check out his church. It was a life changing experience. All the years of sit, stand, kneel and ‘rules’ that I didn’t understand but never questioned, I realized I still didn’t know GOD.
Now that I have been going to Parkview for almost a year, I can say I have a ‘relationship’ with GOD thanks to the teaching, wisdom and beautiful music I have experienced at Parkview. For the first time in my life, I can’t wait to go to church.
I have learned more about the bible in one year here, then my 12 years of Catholic education. These people truly care about you. They realize single parenting is hard and they help you. They have prayer rooms where people welcome you and pray with you and for you. A Nursery is even available free of charge.
It truly has changed my life and has given me hope. No matter what religion you follow, check it out one time. I guarantee you will walk away inspired and with a sense of peace.

This is the best church I have ever been to. They keep my attention and always leave me wanting more. The service gets better and better every week. Parkview has been a life changing experience every week for me.