Four Philadelphia Churches
It's not church polity and ecclesiology that make churches work. A caring mood, a Spirit-led harmony of purpose, and a spontaneous outreach to the needy world develop unity out of diversity.
Russell T. Hitt
October 1, 1980
Everyone wants to know how "successful" churches do it. What makes a church alive with the Spirit? Size doesn't matter. The world's full of huge churches that are spiritually dead. Location doesn't matter. Many churches thrive in spite of geographical handicaps. Money doesn't matter. Misused wealth has been the ruin of many congregations while spiritual prosperity has been achieved on shoestring budgets. To glean a few insights about a cross-section of congregations, we went to veteran church observer Russ Hitt, former editor of Eternity, and author of a recent series of articles in that publication on churches in various sections of the country. We asked him to select four churches in his own turf of Philadelphia, describe them, and make observations about what makes them work. Four churches in Philadelphia. Each with a membership of about 300. Each nurturing and instructing believers. Each developing its vision of mission and outreach. Each serving its community. But they are so different from one another! They differ in polity, in the communities they serve, and in the means the pastors use to lead their flocks. Two of the churches are congregational in polity and two are Presbyterian; but is it possible that varying polity and convictions on ecclesiology are some how not too important? Several elements transcend those concerns. A caring mood, a Spirit-led harmony of purpose, a spontaneous outreach to the needy world-these elements make these churches work. Calvary Fellowship Church This church is located near Lionville, Pennsylvania, not far from Exton Mall, one of the newest and largest shopping centers in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, in a rapidly expanding suburban/ exurban community made up of middle class, middle ...
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