State of the Church
Address PARKSIDE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1420 KAIGHNS AVE, CAMDEN NJ 08103
HTTP://WWW.PARKSIDEUMC.ORG | (856) 964-2254 | (856) 295-1688
REV. KEITH D. DICKENS, M.DIV.
SENIOR PASTOR
” And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the
gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18 [NRSV]
The ADDRESS
On January 8, 1790 the first president of the United States, George Washington, gave the first State of the Union address in New York City. On January 12, 2016 Barack Obama, the first African-American president gave his final State of the Union Address in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives. The State of the Union is an annual address presented by the President of the United States to the United States Congress. The address reports on the condition of the nation. As he spoke, Democrats jump to their feet and clapped enthusiastically with the audacity of hope, while Republicans stood and agreed at times and clapped politely on occasion.
I, of course, am not the President of the United States but by the grace and mercy of God I serve as the Pastor of this great church and so I want to deliver the State of the Church Address. There maybe a number of you who have gathered and you don’t quite understand this moment. There are some among us who may view this as bureaucracy and not want to dedicate church time to such internal matters. Nevertheless, I take seriously my responsibility to be accountable to you for the growth and development of this church and will attempt each year to deliver a State of the Church Address.
Unlike our Nation which is divided by political parties, race, gender and class, It’s great to know that we at Parkside United Methodist Church in Camden, N.J. are on the same side . We are on the same side in the sense that we are Christians, blood brought, Holy Ghost filled, and fire baptized and we can stand and cheer over what God has done, what God is doing and what God will do in the life of our church. Although these are challenging times for our church, I am confident that God is with us and that we are victorious in Christ Jesus!
Parkside Neighborhood Demographics (2010) (Camden City in parenthesis)
**30% were under 18 (31%)
**10% were 18-24 years old (13%)
**24% were 25-44 years old (28%)
**23% were 45-64 years old (20%)
**13% were 65 or older (8%)
**13.7% were Hispanic/Latino (47%)
**1.2% were White (4.9%)
**82.5% were Black/African-American (44.3%)
**0.5% were Asian (2.1%)
**29% did not have a HS diploma (38%) while 7% have a Bachelor's degree or higher (7% also).
The Median Household Income $32.8K is slightly above the Camden City average ($26.3K).
The Poverty Rate 26.8% is slightly lower than the Camden City average (38.4%).
The unemployment rate falls in the same average range as Camden City (11-13%).**Between 2000 and 2010, the Parkside neighborhood population decreased by 6.2% while the City of Camden only lc 2.2% of its population.Amongst occupied housing units, Parkside homeownership rate is much higher (62%) than the City (41.7%). However, the vacancy rate is same range as the City (15-16%). Amongst owner-occupied housing units, Parkside stands out. 54% of owner-occupied housing units do not have amortgage. That is compared with 41.5% for the City of Camden and 28.8% for New Jersey and 32.1% for the natior'1 Amongst homeowners, Parkside has another outstanding statistic. 17.4% of its residents moved in their house 1969 earlier. That is compared with 4.9% for the City of Camden and 6.8% for New Jersey and 5.4% for the nation!
Church GROWTH
The 2015 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches reports on 228 national church bodies and they reported a 1.15 percent decline in church membership. The total United Methodist Church membership in the United States stands at 7.2 million. There are an additional 5.2 million United Methodist outside of the United States primarily in Africa.
Parkside United Methodist Church according to the UM Data shows the following :
Professing Members : 229
Avg. Weekly Attendance : 25 (8am Service)
120 (11am Service)
Age Range : 13-16 = 1.0%; 16-35 = 20%; 36-55 = 28%; 56-75 = 36%; and 76-96 = 15%
Race/Ethnicity = 98% African-American
Gender percentage = 75% Female / 25% Male
Attendance
Professions of Faith
Small Groups
Small Groups Participation
219.21 AVG - 11,399 TOTAL
1.50 AVG - 6 TOTAL
5 AVG - 60 TOTAL
32 AVG - 384 TOTAL
Quarterly
Average
Parkside UMC (PAST)
Founded in 1914. This year Parkside UMC will celebrate
103 years of Kingdom work!
Over the 103 years, Parkside UMC has been in the words
of Matthew 5:15, the light of the world and a city on a hill
that cannot be hidden.
Parkside has a glorious past and has been a beacon in
the community and we thank God for the testimonies of
the saints that came before us and by those that are still
among us.
Salute Past Leadership : Rev. Calvin R. Woods – (1968-
2011) and Rev. James A. Keeton, Jr. (2011-2015).
Parkside UMC (PRESENT)
Today Parkside UMC continues to live out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
Challenges : Aging Congregation; Decline in Membership since 2011(roughly 50%); Change in Demographics; Change in Leadership; Lack of Adequate Space.
However opportunities still exist to present the Gospel to a new Generation in new , creative and exciting ways.
Although the Demographic have changed, there are still former members that reside in the Parkside community which could be an opportunity for outreach.
Parkside UMC (FUTURE)
Parkside UMC engages in a holistic Christian ministry that makes disciples for Jesus Christ by transforming minds (the way we think), hearts (the way we love), and hands (the things we do.)
Strengthen our ministries – Education/Training/ Workshops –(Conference)
Increase Membership by 50% overall, but specifically target those in the 16-35 age range and 36-55.
Continue to seek funding for our ministries through Capital Campaigns , our consistent increased giving and through grants and fund raising.
Renovate/Expand the current building or plan to build a new church.
Where there is no vision, the people
perish: but he that keepeth the law,
happy is he. – Proverbs 29:18 [KJV]
Mission
Our Mission is according to the Great Commission in Matthew 28 :18-20 and
that we live out our faith in the United Methodist way
Goals
Spiritual/Ministry Goals In the book of Ephesians we are told
that we are made to sit in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. We are told
to walk worthy of the vocation to which we are called. And we are told to stand against the wiles of the devil. Therefore we should make it our priority to increase our prayer life and the study of God’s word.
Increase our Praise and Word.
Outreach Goals Expand/ Give more support to
our Evangelism Ministries
Establish a data base and follow up system to consistently communicate with visitors and new members.
Expand and expose our Youth to even more Spiritual, Educational and Cultural opportunities.
Invite others to church. Increase our avg. weekly attendance by 50%. – 1 Chron. 4:9-10 (The prayer of Jabez)
Financial Goals That we would increase our
giving in tithes and offerings and that we would continue
to be good stewards of God’s many blessings. – Malachi 3:10.
“Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So
shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” – Proverbs 3:9-10.
And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. – Habakkuk 2:2 [KJV]
Strategic PLANNING
If we are going to be progressive and productive I want
to charge us to develop a strategic plan.
What is a strategic plan?
A strategic plan is a document that shapes and guides
what an organization is, what it does, and why it operates
in the manner that it does. It will help us work towards a
shared vision and answer some very important questions.
Like, what are the greatest spiritual needs of our church
and community today?
Social JUSTICE
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Dr. M.L.K., Jr.
As we enter further into 2017, I believe more than ever before, we must be more socially conscious and not simply perform social ministry but social justice. We(The Church) must speak for those who have no voice. We must speak truth to power and I believe we can do this by establishing a social justice ministry within our church.
As a preacher, I am always challenged by the words of the theologian Karl Barth who said “ Every preacher must mount the pulpit with bible in his/her hand and the newspaper in the other hand.” If the preacher comes to the pulpit with only the bible then they have prepared the people for heaven but not how to deal with their trials while on earth. However, if the preacher comes to the pulpit with only the newspaper in his/her hand then they have prepared the people to face the challenges here on earth, but not prepared their souls for the joys of heaven.
Limitless POSSIBILITIES
I believe with God, there are limitless possibilities. We don’t have to be like another church. God has already blessed us with our own set of gifts.
I believe that God wants to do so much more through the Parkside United Methodist Church if we remain faithful to HIM.
How long should we look into the future? I want to propose 7 years. The number 7 in the biblical numerology is one of the most significant numbers in the bible because it is the number of spiritual perfection.
It is the number that is stamped on almost every work of God. God made the world in 6 days but on the 7th day creation was complete. Thus the number 7 represents completeness.
Jesus spoke 7 sayings on the cross. Thus, I want to propose that we develop a strategic plan that covers 7 years. This means that it will be completed in the year 2024!
Rev. Keith D. Dickens, M.Div.
Senior Pastor
Parkside United Methodist Church
A Church for the 21st Century
Parkside United Methodist Church
Apostles
One sent on a mission. “ Sent ones”. We are sent out into the world to make
disciples for Christ Jesus.
Spirit of Apostles
Risk taker
Innovator
Courageous
Collaborator
Creative problem solver
Skills of Apostles
Encourager
Leader of leaders
Coach
Attitude of Apostles
Risk taker
Innovator
Courageous Collaborator
Creative problem solver
Apostles
Integrate the message with daily
Kingdom living.
Apostles
Provide examples of and steps for how to live the scriptures at the office, school, neighborhood, home and market place.
Apostles
Focus less on titles and entitlement
and more on healthy relationships.
Apostles
Use vernacular that is familiar with
the market place and the
neighborhood.
Apostles
Are comfortable in their own skin
whether with high office holders or
the homeless.
Apostles
Lead people in and through
conflict.
Apostles
Have a broader view of cultural
engagement than their
predecessors.
Apostles
Equip people to do the work of
God rather than only inform
people of God.
Apostles
Set ambitious goals and inspire
people to achieve them.
Apostles
Are more concerned about their
emotional intelligence than their
knowledge of churchy things.
Apostles
Are more concerned about
Kingdom legacy rather than
personal legacy.
ALL ARE
WELCOME!!!!!
Fund Raising
Initiatives
Seek to develop partnerships.
Church exposure
Outreach /
Special Worship
Services
High Visibility/
Outreach
Greater Witness!
