I am from Oregon - which I've heard is the most "unchurched" state in the US.
I worked as a missionary in a large slum in Brazil, where we sought to bring the gospel to residents in a way that would bring profound spiritual and social change.
But I have never been somewhere that feels as spiritually dead as Philadelphia.
Perhaps part of what gives it that "feel" is the cold climate culture and people being rude and mean in general. But it goes beyond that.
The rich and poor live side by side, well not literally, because they are in their own neighborhoods of course. But within the greater Philadelphia area, there is great economic disparity - on one end those struggling to make it on minimum wage jobs (I don't know how anyone could afford to live in this city on minimum wage), and on the other those who are so well off they don't have to think twice about spending money. These two different worlds, though so geographically close, don't often intersect. They generally have their own churches, shopping centres, and modes of transportation. They can usually live in their own bubble without bumping into the other too much.
It makes me ask, what would the coming kingdom of God look like in this city? How would things start to change? I had hoped to find glimpses of the kingdom in churches here - but instead, for the most part, I found churches modeled after the already existing social patterns - and even worse churches fighting to maintain their own tradition rather than usher in the kingdom of God.
Since arriving here in late August, I have been to Presbyterian, Baptist, Mennonite, and Quaker churches, as well as an independent charismatic African-American church. Some of these churches preached a solid biblical message, others a somewhat watered-down message with occasional scriptural references, others you wouldn't even know you were in a Christian church. The majority of churches in the city seem to be smaller, somewhat enclosed communities simply seeking to maintain their existence and the way they have always done things. Most (not all I have been to) seem to have strayed from the gospel, from the good news of the kingdom, and the feel when you walk in is just "dead" - no delight or rejoicing in worshiping God. It's like the spiritual death that hovers over the city has engulfed the churches as well, whatever light is left has been covered with a basket. Surely a church that is different, that practices genuine fellowship and openly proclaims the gospel in all its fullness would shine forth as a city on a hill, a light in such a dark place? I still have yet to find such a church here...a church that is alive in a place of death. But I'll keep looking.
