It is, I believe, one of those both/and situations. It (church life) could (and apparently was) a positive experience. But, it was in many ways insulated from the world, the realities of a not-so-positive, not-so happy world outside the walls.
I saw a video the other day where one participant claimed the 1950s were the apogee of "Christian faith." The interviewer pressed him to name a particular year in the 1950s that typified this. With every year chosen ('54, '58, etc.), there was a litany of issues which Christians either blithely ignored or — worse — were on the wrong side.
Perhaps the better phrase is: The 1950s were the height of Christian attendance; not Christian faith.
And Confirmation! The uninspired trying to teach the uninterested about the unexplainable. Good luck with that.
My last assignment was "... a church that’s just barely getting by. A church with a few kids and a ragtag choir. A church with a part-time minister. A church with a building that’s constantly in need of repair. A church whose building isn’t primarily used for worship. A church with an organ or piano that’s out of tune."
In that setting, I actually felt I could do my job as pastor.
Wow, just wow! Well done, Angela...I will become a paid subscriber now. I follow you on twitter, but this is what you are meant for: long pieces with thoughtful nuance. Thank you. (I'm also an ELCA pastor). I grew up in the Catholic Church after Vatican II. Had much of the same fun times that you describe.
- "While we often think of America’s past as a devoutly Christian one, instead statistics show that church attendance in the U.S. likely peaked in the 1950s." I didn't realize this, but it makes so much sense.
- "A sense that in the 1950s all was “as it was supposed to be” betrays a hint of racism among white Christians, because these years were not equally good ones for Black Americans, and for non-white Americans in general." I often remind folks of this fact when they lament about the 'old days.' Thank you for writing it.
Wow! You nailed this! Thank you. I was that mom I’m the 80s and 90s doing the whole church thing and I was in my element. Now I look back with such a very different perspective. I don’t attend church now and neither do any of my grown daughters. But I look at the way you ended this article and I too have hope. We are doing life differently than I thought. I’ve grieved some of it and I celebrate other new ways of looking at what it means to be Christian. So thankful for your writing that articulates all of this.
This is such a heartfelt, beautiful lament.
It is, I believe, one of those both/and situations. It (church life) could (and apparently was) a positive experience. But, it was in many ways insulated from the world, the realities of a not-so-positive, not-so happy world outside the walls.
I saw a video the other day where one participant claimed the 1950s were the apogee of "Christian faith." The interviewer pressed him to name a particular year in the 1950s that typified this. With every year chosen ('54, '58, etc.), there was a litany of issues which Christians either blithely ignored or — worse — were on the wrong side.
Perhaps the better phrase is: The 1950s were the height of Christian attendance; not Christian faith.
And Confirmation! The uninspired trying to teach the uninterested about the unexplainable. Good luck with that.
My last assignment was "... a church that’s just barely getting by. A church with a few kids and a ragtag choir. A church with a part-time minister. A church with a building that’s constantly in need of repair. A church whose building isn’t primarily used for worship. A church with an organ or piano that’s out of tune."
In that setting, I actually felt I could do my job as pastor.
What a testimony. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, just wow! Well done, Angela...I will become a paid subscriber now. I follow you on twitter, but this is what you are meant for: long pieces with thoughtful nuance. Thank you. (I'm also an ELCA pastor). I grew up in the Catholic Church after Vatican II. Had much of the same fun times that you describe.
- "While we often think of America’s past as a devoutly Christian one, instead statistics show that church attendance in the U.S. likely peaked in the 1950s." I didn't realize this, but it makes so much sense.
- "A sense that in the 1950s all was “as it was supposed to be” betrays a hint of racism among white Christians, because these years were not equally good ones for Black Americans, and for non-white Americans in general." I often remind folks of this fact when they lament about the 'old days.' Thank you for writing it.
Thank YOU for sharing your feedback, and for your ministry.
Wow! You nailed this! Thank you. I was that mom I’m the 80s and 90s doing the whole church thing and I was in my element. Now I look back with such a very different perspective. I don’t attend church now and neither do any of my grown daughters. But I look at the way you ended this article and I too have hope. We are doing life differently than I thought. I’ve grieved some of it and I celebrate other new ways of looking at what it means to be Christian. So thankful for your writing that articulates all of this.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Ruth. Grateful for you!