Suburban Church (2)

Book Review/Reaction by Robert Shaw

Arthur H. DeKruyter with Quentin J. Schultze, The Suburban Church: Practical Advice for Authentic Ministry1 Arthur DeKruyter left a successful ministry to start a suburban church in the 1960's. This book captures what he learned about growing a suburban church. Noting that a single formula does not exist, the authors describe DeKruyter's experiences with Christ Church in Oak Brook, Illinois, which grew from five families to 1,200 members, having peaked at three-thousand members. DeKruyter reports having left a denomination to form an independent church and frequently laments not having access to denominational resources or reports having developed parallel resources. The authors are long on what not to do. Occasionally they lapse into double negatives rather than plainly state what should be affirmed. Listening to the community was key to DeKruyter's process. In addition to going to places where people congregate (coffee shops and libraries), he encourage and used home gatherings for attending to community concerns and for conducting basic Christianity classes. While DeKruyter needed in home sessions, due to lack of a church building, they had the added benefit of providing a neutral non-threatening locations where members could invite their friends to a social event, rather than a religious institutional event. The authors list seven characteristics of suburbanites, which contrast with my experiences in rural and small town settings. 1. Motivated from within. Peer pressure and other forms of external persuasion are not effective. Suburbanites tend towards self-motivation and independent thinking. 2. Demand dependability. Suburbanites keep commitments they make and expect others to do so as well. In rural communities, I have seen relationships trump professionalism. 3. Revere experts and authorities. When they need answers, they seek top-notch professionals who readily respond with the latest and best practices. Just as they would seek excellent sports clothing, equipment, and instruction for themselves, they expect excellence from their church facility and staff. In rural communities I have seen a preference for people who are known to a community over experts. 4. Goal oriented. They are excited by documented progress towards goals. Suburban pastors and elders must be able to address conflict and perfectionism frequently generated by goal driven, type-A personalities. 5. Committed to excellence. They get behind organizations they know who are similarly committed, and will not withhold their enthusiasm and support. 6. Confidently enthusiastic about the future. “They are quick to tell others about their latest projects and accomplishments, not so much out of pride, as excitement.” The small town communities I have served tend to view the future as a continuation of the past rather than a new opportunity to improve the world. 1 Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008

5. September 2008

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Book Review/Reaction by Robert Shaw 7. Have significant family problems and frustrations. The pressures of suburbanite life, including self-inflicted drive, erupt as broken marriages, chemical abuse, child abuse, poor communication, and distant relationships. People suddenly showing up at church may be the first in their families to reach out for help in these situations. I have seen families in small towns drift in and out of church, but they often have large extended families that have connections to one congregation or another. The authors provide a primer on management of volunteers adapted from secular management materials. They emphasize assessing each assignment and volunteer for: current priority; support of the congregation's vision; matching volunteer to a particular assignment; funding allocation; pastoral/staff support and concurrence; schedule for completion; and progress evaluations. The author provides personal examples of pastoral respect of individual expertise and authority while exercising theological, spiritual, and ecclesiastical oversight. Chapters 5 through 10 continue the language of suburban ministry to describe preaching, personnel management, local and global mission, stewardship, and faith development. These chapters tend towards thematic memoir. The lessons offered here would apply equally well to the churches in small towns that I have served and are much better developed and presented elsewhere. The entire book would benefit from greater theological reflection linking his practices, lessons learned, and suburban characteristics to the creeds and confessions of the Church and to Scripture.

5. September 2008

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