“When will things go back to normal?” We have heard or perhaps thought this question many times over the course of this year. What is it about normalcy that is so appealing? Normality occurs when something changeable conforms to a type of standard or pattern. That standard might be a natural law, or another kind of regulation. The “normal” boiling point of water is 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Public transportation systems have “normal” schedules. These regular patterns form the building blocks […]

One of the most heart-wrenching and yet encouraging privileges of serving with the Global Outreach Commission is hearing from our partners around the world. Month in and month out we receive reports which move us to prayer and thanksgiving. Even in a year of great change, these reports kept coming. As this global pandemic struck the far corners of the earth, including Philadelphia, it was a great encouragement to read testimonies to God’s unchanging faithfulness and love. These stories are […]

The Tenth Session recently approved a revised policy on giving, and Tenth is currently rolling out a new membership database and donations processing software called TouchPoint.  Using TouchPoint for online giving greatly increases the efficiency of donation processing and year-end statements. Donors who, in the past, signed up for recurring online giving will need to re-register in TouchPoint.  TouchPoint enables members to choose from a list of Session-approved funds to indicate how their giving will be used to support the ministry of Tenth. Givers may notice that the online giving no longer provides a memo line. This is by design as processing a designation that is written on a memo line can sometimes be difficult and […]

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:1-2 As we are rapidly approaching the beginning of the semester, Tenth College Fellowship (TCF) is preparing for an unusual semester, but one that we believe will still offer many opportunities for students to connect with one another, grow in their faith, and grow in their witness […]

Dear Brother, I hope this letter finds you well. It’s been awhile since we’ve been able to get together for a bible study, but I kept you in my thoughts and prayers. I truly hope that you have been able to stay healthy during this time! Things in here have been exceedingly boring. For our safety, they keep us locked up in our cells 22.5 hours out of the day. Unfortunately, that means we haven’t been allowed to meet for […]

Although the sanctuary has been quiet, the administrative staff at Tenth has been working hard to implement new software systems that will help us stay better connected as a congregation and achieve greater efficiencies in our administrative processes. Most members are familiar with the Church Life App, also known as Access Tenth, which provides a church directory and is used to process giving. Access Tenth lacks many capabilities we need to stay connected, provide pastoral care, and efficiently process donations. […]

For decades, the Lord has steadily introduced Tenth members to vulnerable people in Philadelphia. As we are all now aware, to use a word like vulnerable is now a massive understatement. Before the COVID-19 crisis, Tenth’s immigrants and homeless neighbors lacked basic resources. As we are now more than 75 days into the lockdown, any margin these neighbors built into their life has dissolved and the relationships developed through the efforts of Tenth’s Mercy Commission and other charities are essential. […]

Jesus  says that the greatest commandment is this: “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind.” And the second greatest commandment is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Our Lord tells the parable of the Good Samaritan in response to the following question: “So, Jesus, who is my neighbor anyway?” In the parable a man is injured by robbers and is left by the side of the road. Two people of high distinction in […]

We as a church have placed our hope in the “Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Nevertheless, because of the truly unprecedented nature of this moment, each week the pastors and ministry leaders  have spent time changing. Changing plans. Changing expectations. Changing our strategy. What has not changed is our belief that all of us need to meet with God by the Holy Spirit through word and prayer. So, slowly, week by […]