CHURCH ON THE MALL

Plymouth Meeting Mall

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Staff

Church on the Mall Staff            

                             Phil Olson, Pastor

Rev. Philip (Phil) N. Olson passionately believes that local congregations make a difference as they share the Good News and good works with one another and the world that God loves. He’s convinced that the greatest asset he brings to Church on the Mall is his personal relationship with Jesus Christ, his Savior and Lord. Having grown up in a Christian family and nurtured, trained and equipped in congregations that modeled effective Christian leadership, Phil believes that his experiences in life and ministry have prepared him for this special season of service to Christ and his church.

Phil brings a wealth of ministry experience having served in congregations ranging in size from 13 to 4,000 in CO, NY, WA, NJ, and now PA. He has studied many ministry models, written and taught about them, and put their principles into practice. Known for his creativity, innovation, and people skills, Phil comes with a qualification that puts him in the 99.99th percentile: in 1997, while Minister of Mission at First Presbyterian in Mt. Holly, NJ, he launched the Burlington Center Mall Ministry.

Phil has authored numerous articles on ministry; co-authored several books (including Churches That Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community with Good News & Good Works – based on research of congregations in the Philadelphia area); edited a ministry website; and, helped plant a congregation in Jackson, NJ. He has published a newsletter since 1992; teaches at Palmer Seminary; speaks, coaches and consults with congregations particularly on the subjects of leadership, congregational change, and outreach.

Born to Oscar and Jean Olson (both deceased) in White Plains, NY, Phil served in the Army (including a tour in Vietnam), and graduated from the University of Colorado and Princeton Seminary. Married to Holly since 1972, they have two adult children and one grandchild. Phil loves the NY Mets, Denver Broncos, country drives (especially with covered bridges), blues music, Reuben sandwiches, reading (non-fiction, please), dark chocolate, cheesecake, & raspberries (especially raspberries on cheesecake with dark chocolate syrup).  If you would like to learn more about Phil, please click here.  Phil is a cancer survivor & cancer fighter: click here & go to p. 38 to read about him in "Pastors as Patients" in Cancer Fighters Thrive.

                   Jan Kaupp, Music Director

                            Melinda Swanson, Office Manager & Rental Coordinator