Social Theory & Church
For me, the reason I joined this professional doctorate program is simple. I just want to be a better local church pastor (Although this is an altruistic motivation for me, Lemert & Elliot would probably argue that by applying to Fox I was actually acting out of my entrenched globalized-self and the need to ’transform’ and ‘improve’ every aspect of myself as part of my self-actualization 8201) . Elliot’s, Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction is very helpful to me. Unlike Grenz’s helpful thesis that every Christian does, and is doing, theology, Elliot helps me become a better pastor not because everyone is doing social theory, but because contemporary social theory helps explain societal forces that shape how people in and out of the church live. As I learn the various social theories, I am better equipped as a leader to not just shepherd The Hub, but to create ministries and plan Sundays that directly confront the plethora of invisible social forces and structures with the Good News of Jesus and His Kingdom. Whether one agrees with any of these theories or not, we can all agree that “we live in new worlds of social and cultural organization” (571). The local church needs to respond to the “shifting terrain of exciting experiences” (560) and make Jesus and His Kingdom accessible to her neighbors.
A Case Study
Consider Brenna, (not her real name) who is a real people at The Hub and who’s life can be dissected and explained by various contemporary social theories and for whom The Hub exists. As a recent divorcee, Agamben would say she is living a “bare life” on the margins of church culture (486). The church can respond to this situation like Jesus responded to the Samaritan woman at the well. What do ministries and liturgies look like for single women in church who are living the “bare life?” What topics need to be discussed in small groups that will expose and heal wounds?
During her divorce, Brenna stops showing up for her small group Bible study. Brenna takes a lot of weekend trips with her homosexual male friend and misses Sunday Morning Worship Gatherings. She is making these choices not because she lives in a “borderless world” (Kenichi Ohmae 593) or out of some type of class conflict (Marx 906). There are other forces that influence her behavior. According to Bauman, Brenna is “re-personalizing” her ethics and morals (6479). Now that she is not married, the American loneliness discussed in Putnam’s, Bowling Alone and Bellah’s, Habbits of the Heart is magnified exponentially. Brenna’s life is not only bare, but has morphed into Bauman’s “liquid life” (7406). Brennan is lonely and now starting to drown. How does The Hub accept and love Brenna and live in community with her and not preach and live a “watered down” gospel?
Brenna’s job is changing and she feels the need to pursue a new occupation. Richard Sennett says that the loss of economic long term commitments is effecting her self-identity and self (8030). It won’t be long before Brenna asks the question of The Hub, “Who needs me?” Or even worse, Brenna will leave The Hub, not because she was called elsewhere, but because “today’s corporate culture of short-termism” is making it really difficult for people to remain loyal to institutions, even the church (8061). The church can help here with preaching about our identity in Christ and by going through whole church campaigns like Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero. Demonstrating love in an unconditional way like delivering meals after a surgery helps here as well.
Each of Brenna’s children plays sports. Brenna finds it impossible to be at each game, each team party, practice, and then help with homework. This is because Brenna and each of her children are living in a globalized world where there is more and more pressures for “communal” loyalty (8099). Not only does Brenna feel expected to be a major contributor to, and present for, every “work” function, social function, and church function, but she is expected to participate greatly in each of her children’s “communal” networks. School, sports, clubs, and even church each contribute to this time and energy drain on Brenna.
The Hub can come alongside Brenna in a “Transformist” (Held) and “Cosmopolitan” (Beck) manner. I can lead The Hub to share life with Brenna in a reshaped and reconfigured way (7765) as humans (7828). As a mom, Brenna is experiencing what Barber says the West is experiencing. She has put forth a significant amount of effort to promote a certain culture, but her ability to do so is deteriorating (7958). Most parents of teens know this feeling! One way The Hub could help is to create a safe space for her teens to regularly gather and worship and pray. The Hub also needs to offer divorce care classes.
Conclusion
Pastoring a local church in a networked globalized world is hard. But do you know what else is difficult, being a member of a local church in an authentic way. Now more than ever, The Hub’s value of “Belonging before you Believe” is simultaneously increasingly important and messy. The good news is two fold: 1)Social theory can educate us on what is going on in the real world outside the church office and attempt to label the forces that have a hold on people. 2)Jesus and His Kingdom offer a new life for humanity no matter how terrible things get.
About the Author
Aaron Peterson
I am a working priest which means that I am a husband(to Lisa), dad(to four wonderful children), senior pastor and church planter(The Hub Vineyard Church), and high school social studies teacher(Verdugo Hills High School LAUSD). I am currently working towards a DMIN in Leadership & Global Perspectives @George Fox Seminary.10 responses to “Social Theory & Church”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Aaron P,
What a creative and innovative post in which you brilliantly analyzed Elliott’s whole book on contemporary social theory in the context of your renewed pastoral objectives and responsibilities at the Hub. I really like the way you shepherd your flock with the compassion and love of Jesus and offer hope in a world of hopelessness. You came away from that reading with a great understanding of two essential facts: one is that social theory can illuminate us regarding the ongoing realities that shape our world; and the other is that everyone has the opportunity for new life in Christ Jesus.
I agree Claire. Thanks for the encouraging response.
Aaron:
Your blog was thought provoking on many levels. You articulated an issue (Brenna) with such clarity to what Elliott presented. This was a superb and practical presentation.
My question, did Elliott cause you to question what the Hub is doing or challenge you to keep doing what you are doing? Did hopelessness set in because of the power of social theories?
Last, how is Brenna doing now? Do you feel the Hub is adequate, with Christ, to help give her boundaries.
Great job! You truly challenged me on this one.
Phil
Thanks Phil. The book challenged me to get the Hub to keep doing what we are doing. It actually gave me hope. Hope that we have the answer in Jesus for so many of the world’s ills.
Great introduction, Aaron! You were able to summarize Elliott’s purpose and reveal how we are all invited to respond to the social theories of those around us and those within our leadership team.
Lacan discusses the problems of the ‘mirror stage’ and suggests that we all have a distorted image of self. “The image is not in reality subject. Still more, Lacan believes that the ‘mirror stage’ is not something we ever fully pass through or get over in our personal and social lives; it is ourselves and others in the social world” (Elliott, 119). We all live in a perceived reality; however, many of us become self-absorbed in that perception and never seek to understand the social theories of those around us. Our own distortion can keep us from making a difference. What are some of the ways that we can combat the temptation to dwell on our own perception of self and understand the reality of others?
That is a great question Colleen. I think the first step is to willingly expose oneself to other points of view and experiences. Then maybe the next step would be to walk in the confidence of our own conviction armed with the love of Christ. Mostly with the love of Christ.
Aaron:
Real case studies!! There has to be a way to take labels off in the church. How have your people in the Hub responded to putting on the “gloves” of family and helping other? Can we break the social norm and make a difference with our faith?
Great take on this subject.
Kevin
Thanks Kevin. I think Jesus taking the towel and washing his disciple’s feet is a good starting point and posture for leaders in this day and age.
Aaron,
Reading about Brenna and a life in apparent upheaval, and a church community seeking to BE community for her, gives me the feeling of a world that is very disjointed and lacking any sense of being centered. I am wondering if that is indicative of ministry in the twenty first century. Is this a consequence of societies losing their core because of globalization.
I think it might be Marc. People are searching for that “center.” Most people I think do not even know what they are searching for in the first place.