Building community from the community
09-01-2021
Liquor stores and churches are usually at odds. Each sees the other as a threat to their existence and growth. But Chicago’s Metropolitan Community Church is finding ways to pull a local liquor store into its orbit, making it part of its community-building team.
“It started when we wanted to post some fliers in the liquor store’s windows about an upcoming church anniversary,” says Rev. Leon Perry, “our team was looking for new ways to get the word out and shared with the owner what the church does and what our plans were for the community.”
Rev. Perry became pastor of Metropolitan Community Church in 1996, the same year he earned his master’s degree in theological studies from McCormick. Born and raised in Chicago, he had previously served the southside church as minister for parish life, overseeing visits to members who were ill, serving as youth pastor, and implementing community outreach services such as weekly food giveaways to area residents and delivering hot meals to people who camp under the city’s viaducts.
“One of the things I took away from McCormick was a focus on connecting church with community,” he recalls. “We have to be relevant, accessible and involve everyone. Whether a person is a member of our church, we have to provide opportunities for Christian development and the development of the community around us.”
Being relevant, accessible, and involving everyone included people at a nearby liquor store. Rev. Perry noted that he had concerns about people who abuse liquor and found that the owner of the liquor store did also. On that they could agree and build on. “Over the years, we’ve used the store’s parking lot for serving meals at community events, helping to build a sense of community among the neighborhood’s residents,” says Rev. Perry. “The store has given financially to our back-to-school programs that supply students with the basic items needed to start the school year off successfully. We’ve had opportunities to talk with young men who used to just hang out in the liquor store’s parking lot. Today, six of them are part of our brotherhood network; one works for the church.”
Over the past 25 years, the church’s laser-like focus on community has also included building senior citizen housing and finding affordable housing for families in Chicago’s Bronzeville area. “Housing has always been a need in our community, especially for senior citizens,” notes Rev. Perry. “Connecting with the community means staying connected with those who have been part of the community for years.” The church keeps its senior members active, encouraging them to reach out to their own households by inviting their children and grandchildren to the services. “When they get here, they find that Metropolitan doesn’t reflect old ways of doing things.” says Rev. Perry. “The sound is different; the staff is diverse and young people aren’t only involved in fifth Sunday services but are included in our services every week.”
Part of Metropolitan’s community includes McCormick Theological Seminary. For the past 10 years, the church has been a field study site for the seminary and Metropolitan members Darnette Solomon is currently enrolled in McCormick’s Master of Divinity program and D. William Davis earned his Master of Divinity degree in 2009.
“Because we have embraced the love of God, the peace of knowing Christ and the joy of sharing Christ’s salvation,” states Rev. Perry, “we want everyone and anyone to see themselves as part of our community…part of this church.”
Rev. Leon Perry will be one of many 50- and 25-year alumni who will be recognized at this year’s McCormick Day, Thursday, Oct. 14. Learn more about McCormick Day and register for the online event here.
Rev. Leon Perry, MTS ‘96
“Because we have embraced the love of God, the peace of knowing Christ and the joy of sharing Christ’s salvation, we want everyone and anyone to see themselves as part of our community…part of this church.” — Rev. Leon Perry