My journey as a pastor and as a writer has been profoundly shaped by my experiences at three distinct churches: Folcroft Union Church in Folcroft, PA; a small church in Fishertown, PA; and Stagecoach Road Christian Fellowship.

Folcroft Union Church

Our time at Folcroft Union Church marked the beginning of this journey. I served as their Youth Pastor, a role that came with the unique benefit of living in the church's parsonage. This was a significant help since I was studying full-time at Biblical Seminary and not earning a salary. My wife, Lou Ann, supported us with her job at the Arco Refinery in South Philadelphia. It was a period of immense personal growth, coinciding with the birth of our son Scott. The experience of working with the youth under the guidance of Dr. Ralph Eckhardt was foundational for me. It's heartening to see many of those young people still committed to their faith in diverse ways.

Fishertown Community Bible Church

In 1982, we moved to Fishertown, PA, a small town with a culture vastly different from the Philadelphia suburbs. During my four years serving there, our daughter Kerri was born. I must admit, adapting to this new setting was challenging, and I made several mistakes. Despite the kindness of the community, I struggled to effectively understand and engage with the local culture. A particular incident during this time ended up defining my ministry there. It was a lesson in the difference between being right in principle and handling issues well in practice – a distinction I wish had been more emphasized in seminary.

Stagecoach Road Christian Fellowship

In 1986, we moved to Turnersville, NJ, where I took up the pastorship at the First Baptist Church of Turnersville. This move brought us back near Philadelphia, with the church located at the edge of Whitman Square. Over 20 years, I built lasting relationships and learned the value of long-term commitment to a local church. Two significant changes occurred during my tenure here. Recognizing the predominantly Catholic demographic of our community, we renamed our church Stagecoach Road Christian Fellowship. We also transitioned our leadership structure from a Deacon Board to Elders. This process involved extensive training for potential elders, emphasizing that participation did not guarantee an appointment. One individual chose to leave at the end of this training, a decision whose reasons remain unknown to me.

These experiences at the three churches have been integral to my development, both as a pastor and as the Chaplain Writer. They have taught me about cultural adaptation, the importance of long-term community engagement, and the nuanced dynamics of church leadership.

As I reflect on these chapters of my life, I am grateful for the lessons learned and the relationships formed. My hope is that the richness of these experiences and the insights gained from them are evident in my writing, contributing to my role as the Chaplain Writer.

Jim

The Chaplain Writer

This post marks another chapter in my month-long series, The Making of The Chaplain Writer. As I unfold the stories that have molded my journey, I invite you to join me in exploring how our shared narratives can birth hope and encouragement. If these stories resonate with you, I would be grateful if you could share the website link with others who might also find value in them. Let's spread the inspiration together!