About

Southbridge Church is a Christian, Bible-based non-denominational church in Orland Park, bordering both Oak Forest and Tinley Park. The church can be found 1 block west of Harlem on Wheeler Drive (155th Street). Our tall, white, cylindrical building has been an Orland Park landmark for over 3 decades.

Constructed from beautiful white brick inside and out, our sanctuary is a sharp contrast to the dark movie theater look. Spacious and bright, we believe it reflects the grandeur and light of God.

Southbridge is a smaller, growing, family oriented church. Definitely not the corporate 'warehouse' church. Its easy to find a place here, connect on the ground floor, and start your own tradition. Read a bit more about us below...

What probably stands out most about Southbridge is our spirit. We love attending Southbridge because there is a real sense of family, without being 'us four, no more.' We love walk-ins! The Christian story is God telling us how much He loves imperfect people, and we want to pass that love on when you walk in our doors. You won't find cold, pretentious, and unfriendly in our sanctuary. And we value your space when you visit- no flash-mobbing or interviewing.

Our motto is that it is better to bless a second chance than judge the past. So if you are worried about the roof falling in or something because you are not that religious or churchy, don’t be. We too have experienced God’s life changing grace.

Southbridge is a true multi-generational church. In a typical worship service you’ll see an even distribution of teens worshipping alongside seniors, young adults, singles, couples, and families. We are small enough to care, big enough to make a difference. From 9 months old to 90 years old, we span the gamut.

Our goal as a church is to be a conduit to help you connect with the God, and help people find answers to your spiritual questions about God and the Bible, so that you can be a better person by loving God and others more.

A Non-Denominational Church in Orland Park

You’ll find friendly people in the atrium following the service, free coffee and scrumptious goodies at our coffee bar. Your kids will be welcomed by caring leaders who’ve all completed a state and federal background check in our awesome SouthBridge Kids children’s ministry. Here you don’t have to worry about being singled out as a visitor or being pressured to give money. Come on in, look around.

Non-Denominational – To us, being a non-denominational church means that you are welcome no matter what your religious background, beliefs, or lack thereof. We are a self-governing church without a hierarchical denomination controlling our decisions. The Bible is our basis for what we believe and how the church is governed. The focus of our messages is on God's Word and how it can change your life. Attending SouthBridge Church in Orland Park doesn’t mean that you’re changing or abandoning your family’s religious heritage.

What We Believe

Below is our doctrinal beliefs. These are things we believe about God, the Bible, and our worldview.

THE BIBLE

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

THE TRINITY

GOD THE FATHER

We believe in God- a real being with certain characteristics that are defined in the Bible and evident in the world around us. We do not believe that He is a blank canvas on which anyone draw Him the way they want and have Him appear that way in the next life. God is an infinite, personal spirit. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of each person, and that He hears and answers prayer.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

HUMAN CONDITION

We believe that mankind was created all-good in the image of God. God allowed and allows mankind to have free choice. mankind chose to disobey God and has fallen short of God’s standards. This “falling short” has resulted in alienation from God, both personally and globally. The result is that our world and lives are distanced from God’s intent, will, and protection- bad things now happen to good people and we now have a sinful nature existing along with God’s goodness. God still allows mankind free choice, even if that means allowing people to do evil.

JESUS CHRIST

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, teachings, crucifixion, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, and personal visible return to earth in the future. We believe that Jesus Christ died for our falling short of God’s standards in our place, and that forgiveness is now available from God through faith in Jesus Christ.

THE CHURCH

We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible confession of faith, and associated for worship, work and community. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of reaching the world with the love of God.

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT

THE ORDINANCES

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

We believe that every human being has direct relations with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority; that therefore Church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other.

CHURCH COOPERATION

We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperating with one another in a denominational organization. Such an organization, whether a regional or district conference, exists and functions by the will of the churches. Cooperation in a conference is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. Churches may likewise cooperate with interdenominational fellowships on a voluntary basis.

THE LAST THINGS

Vision and Values

Jesus advised us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27).” His last words to his disciples involved His will for us to “make disciples of all nations (Mt. 28:19).”

Our vision for SouthBridge Church is first and foremost fulfilling Christ’s vision for the church here in Orland Park, our greater Chicagoland community and the world. Below are some Biblical directictives that serve as basis for how SouthBridge Church seeks to love God and others in the southwest suburbs and beyond….

HEALTH

Above all other things, we want to be a healthy church. The New Testament teaches that church should be a place of peace and harmony (Col. 3:15, Phil. 1:27). No fighting or drama. We clearly and transparently articulate what we believe and the policies by which we are governed. The Biblical model of Matthew Chapter 18 directs us to ensure that we resolve any and all issues with others quickly, directly, and with the aim of reconciliation.

COMMUNITY

The New Testament teaches that the ‘church’ actually consists of people and relationships and not the building, worship service, or any program (I Cor. 3:16). We will constantly connect people to each other. The Bible teaches that it is the duty of each Christian to be involved in the lives of other Christians and the community in which we worship. (I Thes. 5:11). We are and want to continue to be a church of real friendships.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

RELEVANCE

LEADERSHIP

GRACE

FREEDOM

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

We value having a place where everyone, at every spiritual level can spiritually grow. We feel that un-churched people and new believers in Christ grow primarily through teaching, whereas more mature Christians grow primarily through discovering their ministry gifts, and being trained to use and develop them to help others. Growth is evidenced by the fruit of the Holy Spirit evident in one’s life, spiritual maturity, ownership of one’s faith, and using one’s gifts serving others in cooperation leadership and others in a local church (Eph. 4). We value offering a clear path where anyone can grow from the place of spiritually searching to a member and leader of the church.

CHARITY AND MISSIONS