Honest questions about Jesus, asked in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia has religious institutions older than the country and neighbors who have good reasons to distrust them. Jesus did not ask people to protect an institution. He called disciples to deny themselves, take up the cross daily, love enemies, welcome strangers, and teach others to obey. The resurrection gives that costly life hope.

Philadelphia’s block culture can create deep belonging. It can also make a mile feel far. Kensington lives with an overdose and housing crisis that resists slogans. West and Southwest Philadelphia include longtime Black neighborhoods and immigrant families; the Northeast has grown more linguistically diverse; South Philadelphia holds several generations side by side. Summer heat, aging housing, transit reliability, and food access turn neighbor-love into practical questions.

Philadelphia can change in the space of a few SEPTA stops. A South Philly rowhouse table, a West Philly porch, a Kensington rec room, and a Northeast apartment will gather different neighbors. Center City is the postcard. Most life happens beyond it.

Following Jesus means crossing some of those short, stubborn distances. We read His words, eat together, baptize believers, share what we have, and serve beside people doing careful local work. Nobody collects money.