Our Family. Our Future.
A recap of our first Family Meeting: celebrating what God has done, sharing where we are today, and looking ahead together in faith.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first Family Meeting. We gathered for worship, met members of our leadership teams, heard important updates about Southview's finances and future property, asked questions, and prayed together. These notes summarize the main updates and conversations.
1. Our Leadership & Church Family
The evening began with worship and introductions to Southview's staff, elders, and board of directors. Leaders shared their ministry responsibilities and their commitment to serving the church family.
- Staff: The staff serves across ministries including worship, children, youth, families, community, and care. Staff members regularly gather to pray for the church, its members, the surrounding cities, and other churches.
- Elders: The elders provide spiritual care, prayer, and support. Members were encouraged to reach out when they need prayer, including prayer for healing in the spirit of James 5.
- Board of directors: The board meets monthly to oversee finances, facilities, and major decisions. Pastor Mark serves as chairman, but decisions are discussed and made with board participation rather than by him alone.
2. Financial Update & Stewardship
Church leadership shared an update on Southview's financial health, emphasizing transparency and careful stewardship.
- The buildout of the current rented facility was funded through prior operating savings, not the designated building fund. Later improvements were supported by special gifts and offerings.
- Approximately $1 million was originally raised for the building effort. Leadership said those designated funds have not been used for the current facility and have been held in insured savings/investment vehicles, alongside accumulated interest and additional church savings.
- Giving has been trending downward. The church remains financially in the black, but leadership is adjusting expenses accordingly.
- There will not be a traditional Big Give this year as the church prepares for a different approach to generosity.
Financial figures are approximate and reflect statements made during the meeting, not an independently audited financial statement.
3. Our Property & Future Building
Pastor Mark shared the history of the approximately 13 acres in the Thompson's Station area, donated by the Alexander family, and the journey toward developing that property since 2018.
Why has the process taken so long?
The biggest practical challenges have involved sewer access, development requirements, and the process of annexation into Thompson's Station. A septic system would significantly limit the number of people the property could serve. Leadership has continued working through municipal processes while nearby development has brought sewer infrastructure closer to the site.
Pastor Mark described the extended timeline as a possible “divine delay”—a season in which Southview's vision for the property has grown beyond a traditional church building.
What happens next?
- Continue the annexation and utility-related processes.
- Work through planning, architectural, traffic, infrastructure, and other development requirements.
- Determine a financially responsible first phase that could support Sunday gatherings and weekday ministry.
- Remain open to how and when God leads the church forward.
4. A Place for Ministry All Week Long
The vision is not simply to create a larger room for Sunday services. Leadership described a place where people can gather, build relationships, and experience the ministry of Jesus throughout the week.
- Worship and ministry: Space for church gatherings, prayer, discipleship, and pastoral care.
- Children and families: Ministry spaces that can serve multiple purposes throughout the week.
- Saints Classical Academy tutorial: The homeschool tutorial has grown from roughly 80 students in its first year to more than 250, with a waiting list.
- Community possibilities: A sports complex, gathering areas, coffee, food, events, and other community-serving spaces were discussed as elements of the larger vision—not approved construction commitments.
Leadership emphasized that the property should be an asset to the surrounding communities, continuing Southview's existing efforts to serve civic leaders, local workers, families, and neighboring churches.
5. An Upcoming Generosity Campaign
Southview is preparing to introduce a new capital and generosity campaign over the coming months. Leadership emphasized that the goal is bigger than funding construction: it is to help the entire church grow in biblical generosity, discipleship, and shared ownership of the mission.
- Generosity includes time, talents, and treasure—not only financial gifts.
- The campaign is intended to invite broad participation, rather than focusing only on a small group of large donors.
- Teaching about giving will be connected to discipleship, trust, and responsible stewardship.
- Leadership has engaged outside assistance for the campaign and intends to keep communicating about how resources are stewarded.
What might Phase One cost?
In the Q&A, leaders discussed a preliminary first-phase range of approximately $7–8 million, based on what they believed might be manageable using existing resources and future giving. This was an early planning discussion, not a finalized budget or fundraising target.
6. Questions & Answers
Will we definitely move to the land?
Leadership continues to believe the land has an important role in Southview's future, but the exact timing and shape of that future remain open. The church is continuing to evaluate options while taking practical steps forward.
Could we remain in a space like our current facility while using the land for weekday ministry?
Yes. Leadership expressed openness to a model in which the property supports a tutorial, sports, and other community ministries while Sunday worship meets elsewhere. No final decision has been made.
What about our current building?
The current lease runs through 2028. Buying the existing building was raised as a question, but leadership indicated the asking price was too high at the time of the meeting.
Will Saints Classical Academy continue?
Yes. Leadership affirmed the tutorial as an important part of Southview's ministry and future vision. It is a homeschool tutorial partnership, not the same as a conventional school.
Why talk about giving now?
Leaders said the purpose is to cultivate a lasting culture of generosity, teach biblical stewardship, and equip the church to serve people—not simply raise money for a project.
7. How Can We Pray Together?
The meeting concluded with requests from leaders and members and a time of corporate prayer.
- Wisdom and unity: Pray for pastors, staff, elders, the board, and the whole church family to hear and follow God's direction together.
- Protection and strong families: Pray for spiritual strength, healthy marriages, and households rooted in Christ.
- Provision and stewardship: Pray for the church's ongoing ministry, the property process, and faithful generosity.
- Favor with the community: Pray for relationships with local officials and neighbors as the property and annexation processes continue.
- Our Spanish-speaking community: Pray that Southview will be a welcoming home where people feel seen, loved, valued, and able to experience God's presence.
- Those we have yet to meet: Pray that Southview will have open hearts to welcome the lost, hurting, and people from every background.
These are edited summary notes based on the Family Meeting caption transcript. They are not a verbatim transcript, and plans or estimates discussed during the meeting may change.