Belonging Together at Myers Park
2025 Engagement Team Report
Over the spring and early summer of 2025, more than 170 members gathered in focus groups to reflect on what makes Myers Park Presbyterian Church a meaningful place to encounter God.
We asked not just what brought you here, but what made you come back.
The stories that surfaced are about friendship, compassion, worship, and the Spirit of God at work in our lives. As we approach our Centennial, these reflections help us give thanks for the past, embrace the present, and imagine the future together.
Themes from the Conversations
Across 31 focus groups with more than 170 members, eight themes across three categories rose to the surface:
Love of God
In Worship and Formation
- Spiritual Nourishment through Preaching and Programming – Across all age groups, people cited engaging sermons, strong theological depth, and applicable messages as central to their continued participation.
- Music as Ministry and Spiritual Expression – Music connects people to God, deepens community, and transcends words.
Love of Neighbor
In our Congregation
- The Church as a Constant and Safe Harbor – Members repeatedly describe MPPC as a spiritual anchor through life’s transitions.
- A Culture of Welcoming and Belonging – Even in a large church, people describe a deep sense of hospitality and connection.
- Intergenerational Formation and Youth Involvement – The programming for chilren and youth received widespread praise for creating organic engagement and forming lifelong relationships.
- The Power of Personal Relationships and Care – Stories of pastoral care, friendship, and strong bonds underscored how much members feel loved and supported.
Love of God
In the Wider World
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Faith in Action – Members value the church’s commitment to outreach, both locally and globally.
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Adaptability and Forward Thinking – There is a strong appreciation for how Myers Park evolves to meet current needs.
The church speaks love fluently – in casseroles, in cards, in quiet presence.
The church feels like a constant in a hectic world.
If we aren’t here, so many young people would lose a space where they feel safe and seen.
It’s like faith happens along the way… You just get here, get involved, and your life is changed.
You don’t feel like you’re in the pews alone, you feel like you’re in it together.
I don’t know how people get by without a church family.
Reflections
These conversations paint a compelling picture of Myers Park Presbyterian Church as a place where faith is nurtured, love is shown, and lives are transformed. As we move toward our Centennial, they affirm what has sustained us and inspire what comes next.
The challenge ahead is to engage our members in sustaining all that makes MPPC what it is, and to ensure it continues to grow, evolve, and thrive in the century ahead.