by Eliza Griswold

Circle of Hope Church in Philadelphia had a meteoric rise as a four location church, as a church that was unconventional. It was founded by some “Jesus People” and was affiliated with an anabaptist group. When the founding pastor is ready to retire, he leaves the four pastors of the different congregations as co leaders. This includes two white women pastors, one BIPOC pastor, and one of his sons. A church that had relatively conservative, Evangelical underpinnings – but was also trying to be antiracist and to love everyone. And was trying to live in some of Philadelphia’s poorest areas. The founding pastors family had independent means. While the church was founded on the idea that like the early church, they should all have everything in common.

This all comes to a head during the transition beginning in 2019. This means that the churches have to deal with the Pandemic. And the series of national issues centered around race. And the Circle of Hope’s ongoing discernment on the issue of human sexuality and marriage. And while the four pastors are dealing with these issues – the former pastor is blogging his opinions. And into this comes a commitment to Anti-Racism, where the BIPOC pastor begins to discuss his concerns with the church. And the other pastors cannot seem to do enough for him and some congregation members. The first consultants hired, leave. They hire an internal candidate…. and then one pastor comes out. The denomination pulls its support, and also owns the buildings.

Told from four perspectives and without malice, this is an interesting and heartbreaking look at the reality of living in community during transition.

345 pages

5/5