I had to run an errand the other day for church. Basically it consisted of swinging by a few houses of members of our congregation to pick some things up. To make it to 5 houses took me well over 3 hours… and I was at each house for less than 2 minutes.
A few years back I was living just outside Chicago. I re-connected with some old friends and was looking to connect with a church as well. It turned out that my friends were making a 45 minute- 1 hour commute to attend Willow Creek’s mid-week service.
These are more dramatic examples of things I do every day/week. In an age of transportation (and consummerism), I pass at least 5 local congregations in my neighborhood to attend church. Sure, maybe it is what it is. And maybe I ask annoying questions. But driving around the other day made me wonder: How “local” are our churches?
The definition of local: 1.pertaining to or characterized by place or position in space; spatial.
It seems that our church communities are no longer “characterized by place or position”. They are characterized by other stuff: style, theology, likes/dislikes, etc. But communities of God’s people are hardly characterized by their local. (If they are, it is in only a very general sense- how much I am willing to spend on gas). This is important to me because I believe that community (at least the sort of community that God desires for His people) requires proximity. Community after all, demands time and space.
Against this back drop I remember stories my grandma has told me. Well, maybe not stories, but parts of stories. In parts of her stories she can name every family on her block. And with each family came the names of parents and kids, stories, and shared memories. Other stories of my grandma included walking two blocks to church every week. And all church stories included people, stories, and relationships the exuded community. Not everyone in the neighborhood went to church. But everyone at church lived in the neighborhood. Sure, times were very different. But we still live next door to neighbors and down the street from worshiping congregations. What I struggle with is the quality of our relationships with both our neighbors and within our churches.
There is no doubt that community is at the heart of God’s intention for His creation- salvation itself is communal.
So I wonder if we can re-imagine a local church. What would it look like if our church building was in the neighborhood (think of the closes church to your house/apartment)? What would it look like if all the members of your congregation lived in the neighborhood? Would your church community look different? Would your relationships with your non-Christian neighbors look different?
What do you think… should this imagination inform us? change us?
Hey Dan, this is a very interesting and thought-provoking post. I hope to write a much more in depth response soon. Your questions are always challenging. Take care, Andy
I grew up in a small town in mid-central Illinois. The town when I grew up there had a population of 4,200. I remember that number specifically because every road that lead into town had our population. I suppose we had 15+ churches? The main ones being the Catholic Church and the Methodist Church. I attended, for the most part, the Methodist Church.
My family lived on one side of town (literally) and the church and school were on the other side. So, if you walked from my house to the school you’re essentially walked the length of the town. The town was exactly one square mile.
Okay, all of that to say… I took proximity for granted growing up. If we wanted to go to church or to an event, it was a 3 – 5 minute drive. Everyone was available at a moments notice. Any emergency that happened, the town and/or the churches mobilized. So, I really hear you when you say proximity for community. I really miss that about my small town background. It’s always those things we take for granted we often miss the most in life. I miss being able to walk to work, ride my bike to my friends homes, etc. We knew all of our neighbors and I could name everyone in my high school. It’s true that news (gossip) can spread fast in a small town, but I didn’t find it as nasty as some would have you believe. I’m sure there are folks though who would not agree and experienced the opposite.
Now, in Chicagoland suburbia, it is true that proximity does play an important role for community. There are very important questions that we need to ask ourselves… how do we pick the church we attend, how far is it, are there church members/attenders in my local area where I could walk or ride a bike over to see? On the other hand, I find the choice I’ve made to be perhaps one of the most transforming decisions ever. I truly believe that the Holy Spirit guided me to where we are today.
For sure (ps. I miss you all at LCA heaps!).
I think there are many good reasons to become members at various churches. God’s leadings being the first and foremost. Also, defining what is “local” is hard because we can travel so easily.
I just wonder about some of the challenges I see many churches facing: 1) struggling to be active in church/community because it is a “long drive” 2)Christians living in the same neighborhood, or block, or even apartment building and not knowing each other, and 3) Ministry and missions being so spread out that it is not effective (lack of unity and focus).
Having said all that, I think LCA does a phenomenal job with community and missions. However, unfortunately I think you are more the exception to the rule. And hearing from my parents, it seems like you have some exciting challenges with this: having members from all over the suburbs and downtown. Where do you begin?
Some ideas I have think about and have heard are: 1) Having neighborhood small groups, maybe with people who worship at differnt churches but live in the same area. Or, ,2) Focusing all the ministry/missions in the neighborhood of the local church (basically being very aware of your limits) 3) When the church grows or begins gaining members from other towns/neighborhoods, instead of growing into a big church that attracts people from far away, plant small congregations (or come along side churches that are already in that neighborhood)
I don’t know… just late night ideas. So glad you are at LCA and part of what God is doing there!!!
Also, my parents told me the news… CONGRATS!!!
Hi Dan,
I just found your blog and have really enjoyed reading your thoughts and ideas about all things church! My dad is a church planter, so the local church and its many “issues” are close to my heart,
What you said about churches in our neighborhoods really challenged me. That’s the kind of community I want to be a part of.