It talked a little bit about the sprawling nature of suburban development as it talked about both the suburbs and cities that were more and more suburban. Not to say that the suburbs are inherently sinful, but it seems to me that urban/suburban sprawl is a sinful use of land, in that it is using a great deal of resources and space, but not producing for human needs accordingly. A city is condensed and relies on the surrounding rural area (ideally) for food and resources, while more rural land use may require the use of a lot of land, but that is being used to yield food. Suburban land use seems to use lots of space just for the hell of it.
What is the difference between gentrification and incarnational urban living (intentional city living)? How can we be sure to avoid the harmful effects of gentrification?
More than half of U.S. land is either metropolitan or micropolitan. Depressing.
Why are we OK with the loss of small town life and local culture/economy?
I liked his push to view the metropolitan area as a whole area needing Christ. This makes sense.
How do you hold onto the missionary impulse (which we need to do as Christians) as you commit to a community or locale (as some would say "settle down")?
The suburbs definitely need the ministry of Jesus, but could the church's best ministry to the suburbs be to work to dissolve them and the "suburban way of life"?
Great! Thanks Zac- some of that stuff really did clear up a few of my questions. Small town would be in the middle of nowhere/rural, and suburbia is outside of the city and is a small town. Perhaps I was overthinking it?
ReplyDeleteWhat I meant by defining the good/bad results of growing up suburban is that I which I could pinpoint qualities/attitudes I have that have resulted in my upbringing. I feel like when I think of suburbia I think "bad... bad, bad, bad... suv's are bad..." which is extremely narrow minded and also incomplete. I think often times trying to figure out one's qualities are too complex b/c we're so close the subject. So maybe that's not the right question though. Besides thoughtful engagement w/ suburbia culture and fully understanding the principles and attitudes behind this lifestyle is what would result in being intentional while living in this setting.
I like your comment about Hsu not meaning 'inescapable' as I had thought but rather by getting sucked in. That's like a lot of things uh? Getting lured in and then like a strong vortex in space, you're kept there because of the security, comfort, and familiarity. I hope later on Hsu discusses how exactly suburban ministry should/could be done. It means like living the Christian faith should be somewhat uncomfortable considering this is "not our home" however, I feel that many Christians (who live in sub.) are comfortable. Perhaps he'll have suggests on challenging ourselves and our christian neighbors to get a little uncomfortable and spread the gospel in practical ways.
So for your last question in your post above: could the church's best ministry to the suburbs be to work to dissolve them and the "suburban way of life"?
I think the answer would be "no". Dissolving consumerism? yes! Dissolving not knowing the names of the people that live next door? yes! Dissolving materialism and lack of family meal time? yes!
However, the suburbs are here to stay (at least for quite awhile) so rather than dissolving this huge portion of society perhaps the Church can begin the discussion the defines a godly neighbor/suburban family/suburban home. I think by doing this some suburban christians will be convicted to get out and go overseas or into cities/rural life. However, for the majority maybe there would be a movement to have our lives look different enough from everyone else that they (non-christians) notice. [but... isn't the church already trying to do this?... if so, are we failing? or is it just an extremely slow process they we can't really see any results?...]
ps- online book clubbing is fun. :)
perhaps dissolve is the wrong word. I don't mean just like condemn the suburbs and displace people. Also, when I say suburb here, I think I'm referring not so much to living outside of a city, but living outside of a city in a certain way that is materialistic and wasteful. I feel like dissolving consumerism, individualism, materialism, and sprawling land use/lack of stewardship would dissolve the very foundations upon which most suburban life is based. If we dissolved these things, I think that the suburbs and the suburban way of life would actually be much more rural or urban. Think about it if you live near the city and work in the city, you have no business having a giant yard that you don't use for anything - live in an apartment or a rowhouse or other type of city-like dwelling. If you are living and working in a more rural suburb, you have no business using your land for strip malls and what not, grow some food and leave the rest to the forest. I don't know I just can't seem to reconcile a way of life the takes the most unsustainable aspects from urban and rural living and combines them.
ReplyDeletebravo! yes! I agree whole heartedly! Problem is.... is this even possible? Hasn't mankind been a consumer and materialistic from day one? Maybe there are small things we can start to do to encourage less use of unsustainable lifestyles.
ReplyDeleteOne way: make your own coffee/tea in the morning and use a reusable container. Simple. super simple. Also, if you're going out to meet someone for coffee then bring your own container. It's a super small thing but it definitely tones down the idea of consumerism (at least then the person is only consuming coffee, not coffee and a cup, and a cardboard sleeve).
Share some of your ideas about very practical ways that we as Christians living where we are (indy/st. mary's/ oxford) can encourage the beginning of the dissolving of unsustainable aspects of the suburbs. I'd love to hear what you have to say!
composting!
ReplyDeleteplant a garden or have a chicken coop
don't buy a new house
perhaps using a single family home as a community dwelling (anything from a family renting out rooms to multiple singles, couples, or families living in the same house)
join a local CSA rather than buying produce at the grocery store
Invite neighbors over for dinner
creative recreation - things like outdoor activities or games rather than going to the movies, shopping, going to a theme park (these things are not only expensive but they also require vast areas of land to be cleared and turned into buildings and asphalt) --- I find this to be one of the hardest things in the suburbs
take turns cooking rather than eating out
Creative recreation and food choices are definitely things that we can choose where we are now, but I think a lot of these things would involve living in the suburbs long term and actually committing to live with intentionality.
I like all those ideas... except I think multiple families to one house would be "unexceptable" to the neighbors. Paul in 1 Corinthians states that when he's w/ the jews- he acts as a jew, etc... I think multiple families in a suburb house would be inappropriate. However, having extended family living in the home would be cool & intentional way of communicating God's love. I think "creative" recreation is VIP or--- people could support the arts, such as symphonies/art openings (which are often free), dance shows, live theater, etc. These things cost money but I believe they enhance a person and thus, would be beneficial to the community.
ReplyDelete