I write this blog inspired by this story presented recently in the Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/books/archive/2024/01/benjamin-herold-disillusioned-suburbs/677229/ with the title: THE SUBURBS HAVE BECOME A PONZI SCHEME.
I am now reading the book referred to there, but I wanted to gather some initial thoughts, particularly as it inspired me to look into our reality of a church in inner suburbia with crumbling infrastructure and growing needs.
It comes as no surprise that a complex history of discrimination and systemic inequalities has shaped the economic landscape of inner suburbs in the United States. Historically, discriminatory housing practices and urban renewal programs have significantly contributed to the formation of impoverished neighborhoods predominantly occupied by people of color. These areas have been marked by limited access to quality services, education, and economic opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and racial inequity.
The Shift in Suburban Demographics and Rising Poverty
Suburbs have seen a demographic shift in recent decades, becoming increasingly diverse. However, despite this growing diversity, suburban communities of color face significant economic challenges. Since 2000, the number of poor people in the suburbs has surged, outpacing the national growth rate, with suburban poverty often being less visible and more isolated compared to urban poverty.
This economic reality mirrors the struggles faced by many churches in these communities. Churches like St. Michael and All Angels in Berwyn, Illinois, exemplify the role of religious institutions in serving low-income communities. We have expanded our ministry to include essential services like child care and mental health support. This approach reflects an understanding of the complex needs of low-income families and the importance of providing support that extends beyond spiritual guidance.
Churches in low-income areas face the challenge of maintaining financial sustainability while serving communities that might not be able to contribute significantly to the Church’s finances. This situation necessitates innovative approaches to funding and community engagement, ensuring that the Church can continue serving as a vital resource. However, equating a church’s self-sustainability with its ability to generate revenue can be seen as a form of heresy, especially considering the historical impact of racist structures and white supremacy. A heresy that over and over us, in the Episcopal Church tend to ascribe to, self-sustainability of ministry has been, for as long as I have been a member of the Episcopal Church, the red line that needs to be crossed to decide how long and how intensively a ministry would be open, maintained or supported.
A simple solution to this heretical behavior: The value of a church should not be measured by its financial metrics but rather by its spiritual impact and the communal value it provides. This perspective is crucial in redefining the success of churches, especially those in economically disadvantaged areas. It highlights the need for a paradigm shift in how the Church’s role and contributions are viewed and valued, moving from purely economic considerations to a more holistic understanding of spiritual and communal impact. However, I am conscious of the vast implications of needed changes on our Church, such as the restructuring of our wealth distribution in the Episcopal Church and role our canons, and dioceses will play in its support.
Though I speak first hand about my short experience at St Michael and All Angels in Berwyn. I know several other churches do more with less and continue to impact their communities greatly. The work of churches in economically disadvantaged inner suburbs, becomes a testament to their unwavering commitment to serve as beacons of hope and support, regardless of their economic circumstances. Their dedication to serving the spiritual and communal needs of their congregations, despite financial constraints, underscores the essence of their mission and the need for a broader understanding of what constitutes the success and value of a church in today’s society. The work we do in Berwyn is short of a miracle. However, we need to ensure that systemic changes are present to allow churches to dream and thrive beyond CFOs, spreadsheets, and dollars collected.