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Church: UK Mission

Mission in Suburbia

Todd Hiestand has written an excellent paper entitled: The Gospel and the God-Forsaken, The challenge of the missional church in suburbia. In a wide ranging piece Todd picks up on the way that much of western church life is subconsciously affected by the values of suburban life.  I’m particularly impressed with his analysis in linking individualism (especially seeing salvation in individual terms) and a desire for comfort as being root causes of the church’s lack of interest in social justice. Though this paper is written to the American context, it’s critique and suggestions for a way forward apply equally to British churches that I know.

I see this as a very important bit of work and I’d encourage you to get it into the hands of your church leadership.

HT Forgotten Ways.

2 replies on “Mission in Suburbia”

That was a pretty challenging read. The description of suburban America made me think of Douglas Coupland novels.

I’m trying hard to get my head around two things:

1. The fact that church, as it is currently, doesn’t work for everyone but does for some.
2. That church tries to do more of the same kind of things in the hope of attracting more people but doesn’t seem to do things where people actually are.

Answers on a postcard to…

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