Southlawn United Methodist Church

Community Description:

Southlawn United Methodist Church was founded January 25, 1925. 

Our vision is to be the heart of the community with a growing membership that embraces nurturing spirituality, supporting families and promoting happy and safe children. Southlawn has approximately 300 members and an average worship attendance of 140 people. We are an older “event oriented” congregation seeking to attract more people from the community. Worship times are 8 am and 11 am.

Southlawn is located across the street from Caldwell Math & Science Academy and has a desire to serve with and connect the youth and seniors of our community. We also have a desire to develop our Christian Education Program and grow our membership. Approximately 10 different community groups meet at the Southlawn facility.

Southlawn is located in the Calumet Heights Neighborhood on Chicago’s Southeast side in the 8th Ward. The community is primarily African American as is the church.

Position Description:

There are a variety of learning and serving opportunities. You would provide worship leadership, teaching, ministry coordination (e.g., Neighborhood Intern Project, Church School) and preaching.

Supervisor:

The Rev. Robert E. Biekman has been the senior pastor at SUMC since 2007. As co-founder of Keepers of the Village, Inc., Rev. Biekman has been a strong voice and advocate for ex-offenders. In his tenure at SUMC, Rev. Biekman is leading this urban congregation through a visioning process which is engaging key community stake-holders including Chicago Public Schools, the Area Chamber of Commerce, Ecumenical Association, Chicago Police, State Rep. and 8th Ward Alderman that will enhance the quality of life in the rapidly changing Avalon Park neighborhood. Rev. Biekman has also been awarded funding for development and implementation of a Community Wellness Center with Chicago Public Schools. He is passionate about community outreach.

Rev. Biekman began his career as an aeronautical engineer and earned an MBA with an emphasis in Public Administration. When he heard God's call, he attended Payne Theological Seminary, earning his M.Div. in 2000. He hasn't looked back since.

Directions:

Directions to Southlawn United Methodist Church: Take Lake Park to Stony Island to 87th Street, take 87th Street east to Cregier, Go north on Cregier to 86th Street. Church is on 86th & Cregier.