Ten Ways to be the People of God in Suburbia
by Chris Smith
In response, to Brian McLaren’s call for urban churches at the
Mayhem gathering last weekend [in Cincinnati], my friend Mike Bishop
has been stirring up some conversation on "suburban ministry." Here's
my response to that conversation, ten ways for those called to suburban
ministry to be in the people of God in radical ways in suburbia. This
list is meant for people to chew on and not all of its points may be
applicable for all suburban missional church communities.
1) Live with others from your church community
Whether you share your home with another person or family, or
whether you have several families that have homes in close proximity or
both, sharing life together is perhaps the most powerful (i.e., going
against the grain of suburban culture) way to be the body of Christ in
suburbia. If you can't live together, at least find a way to share
resources (power tools, lawn mowers, children's clothes/toys, etc).
2) Work Less!
One of the major powers that enslaves suburbia is the idolization of
the career. There are many ways to pay the bills that do not involve a
9-5 job, and even within a 9-5 job, there are ways to work less
(turning down promotions, taking unpaid leave, etc.) Working less will
free you to serve your church community, your family, your neighbors,
etc. It will also spur creativity: finding a solution for working less,
finding a way to "make ends meet" financially, etc.
3) Throw out the television
Another (and perhaps larger power) that enslaves suburbia is
consumerism. You'll be amazed at how your desire for things ebbs as you
take the TV out of the picture. If you can't bring yourself to kill the
television, at least take steps to lessen its influence (get rid of
cable, only use it for movies, put it on a cart that can be wheeled in
and out of a closet, etc.) Throwing out the television will also
stimulate your creativity.
4) Drive less
Suburban culture is also enslaved to the automobile. Find ways to
loosen those bonds (much more difficult in suburbia than in urban
areas). Share a vehicle with others in your church community (much
easier if you are doing #1 above). Invest in a good bicycle. Walk.
There was a segment on "60 minutes" a few weeks ago about how much we
miss when we zip around in automobiles. Walking and/or biking will help
you be more attentive to your surroundings
5) Have a garden / grow food
Suburban life is often very shut off from the food cycle (Food comes
from the grocery store, of course!). Homegrown food is more healthy, it
gives you a good excuse to be outside (see #7 below), and it provides
you with a resource to share generously with your church community and
your neighbors. Phil Kenneson outlines a number of horticultural
lessons for the people of God in his intro to LIFE ON THE VINE that are
additional benefits of this practice.
6) Get to know your neighbors / listen for their needs
To be human is to be poor. Or in other words, everyone has needs.
The challenge of suburbia is that there are many more ways to conceal
that poverty, and similarly that it will take more effort to get into a
position where a neighbor can reveal their needs. Be intentional about
building relationships. Share meals, play poker, have block parties,
whatever it takes.
7) Be outside as much as possible.
Another temptation of suburbia - fueled by individualism - is that
of the house as an impenetrable fortress. Dissolve this temptation by
eating, playing, relaxing outside. This practice is also one avenue to
interact with your neighbors.
8) Do not fence in your yard
All apologies to Robert Frost, but fences do not make good
neighbors, and in fact they often keep us from making good human
neighbors. This is a corollary to #7, the fence is a major component of
the impenetrable fortress syndrome; it protects our privacy and keeps
out our "evil" neighbors. It often is a statement of distrust. If you
must have a fence (to corral a dog for instance) make it as low and as
permeable (i.e., not blocking off the view) as you can get away with.
9) Take a stand against the greed of mega-corporations
Whenever possible, resist buying from domineering mega-corporations
(e.g., Wal-mart, McDonalds, Starbucks, and others). These corporations
destroy local economies and have little or no concern for the
environment. Buy as much as you can from businesses that are as local
as possible (family-owned businesses are preferable to local chains,
local chains are preferable to regional chains, and regional chains are
preferable to global corporations.)
10) Utilize and support non-commercial public spaces (parks, libraries, colleges, etc.)
This point is another corollary of #7 above. We must utilize and
show our support for these public spaces, lest they be conquered by the
powers of individualism (by becoming private property) or by
consumerism (by becoming commercial or industrial property). This is
also a wonderful way to foster relationships with our neighbors.
