Meet The Pastor

My name is Chris Hodge, and I am the Senior Pastor at Naperville Presbyterian Church. Greetings.

Growth and change is all around us.  Wherever you drive there are new homes, new shopping centers, new toll booths on the toll ways, and new roads under construction. If I had not had considerable driving experience through the Midwest I would worry that the corn fields might be in danger of extinction considering the rate they are disappearing in favor of the new crop of subdivisions. Even in town where one might think the growth is over, new tenants reconstruct old buildings and lovely homes are leveled to provide space for new lovely homes.

In reality, we do not need to look to our surrounding to appreciate growth and change because it is taking place within us. Our jobs are changing as we deal with more responsibility and seemingly less time to get it all done. Or we might be staring significant transition square in the face as our career stands at a crossroad that might lead us in a new direction or to a new part of the world. Our relationships are in constant flux as our friends and family are, like us, undergoing continual adaptation making progress (or regressing) towards our life goals and purposes. Our own bodies are in on the coup of change as well since age does have its effects . . . but enough of that. Suffice it to say that it would take a great deal of denial to think our world is static.

In light of all this transformation it is valuable to consider whether we are being made better or worse in the process. Are we initiators and contributors or are we passengers or worse yet, victims? At Naperville Presbyterian we see that life is a journey and one that is not meant to be taken alone. We often get under the wheels of change because we are isolated, left to our own devices. A very wise man once said, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.  But someone who falls alone is in real trouble." The NPC community wants to be a partnership that leads to true success.

What does success in life look like? It is seen when we know our purpose and are living freely, joyfully in it. I am convinced that we exist for one purpose -- to reflect, or make public the magnificence of God. There is more joy and satisfaction in this pursuit than in all others combined. That enjoyment comes as I view relationships as opportunities to see God's love in action, or as I see my place of labor as a place where God provides the strength and skill that is necessary to do the kind of job I would do if God Himself were the boss, or even in my growing community as I view the civic sphere as one with limitless opportunities to cheer grace in action, participate in the demonstration of mercy to the one in need, and strive for justice to be available to every person in our community.

That is what we want to be about at Naperville Presbyterian Church. I say want to because to be honest we are still working to fulfill our purpose. We would love to claim we knock it out of the park every time but that would be silly -- we are just thrilled that we are able to be in the game. We would love to have you here learning, walking, sometimes failing, and always striving with us. So, come as you are and let's face this changing world together.