Loss of Community

I read a great book recently by Soong-Chan Rah called The Next Evangelicalism. He develops many interesting points in the book which I will probably chew on over the next couple of months. He dedicates one chapter to individualism, which has captured American culture and the American Evangelical church. In the book, he writes, "The narcissistic individualism of American society finds a direct corrolary in the American Evangelical church. Our church life becomes an expression of an individualism, yielding a self-absorbed narcissism. Instead of the church becoming an expression of a spirtual life lived in the community of believers or a spiritual life expressed in the context of a neighborhood community, our church life becomes a fulfillment of our individual desires and needs. Elements of the worship service, including the preaching of the Word and the worship of God, become reduced to a form of therapy that places the individual at the center of the worship service. Excessive individualism in American society yields, therefore, the loss of community life."

A couple of things have seemed strange to me lately. Why do many Evangelical churches have to "generate" community through small groups? Is it because we live such an individualistic lifestyle in America that we have so distanced ourselves from others that we need to try to force community? Also, many well-meaning Christians have been calling me lately to get them in touch with "needy people" that they can help this Christmas. I do not see anything wrong with that, and I am happy to help them, but why do they not know any poor people on their own? Often American people try to distance themselves intentionally from poor people by choice in terms of where they live and work and play. Does the American Evangelical church reflect that same attitude?

Do you see a big difference between the American church and American individualistic culture? Do you think the American Evangelical church overemphasizes the personal aspect of Christianity at the expense of the cultural mandate of God? Do you experience authentic community? Are you in any authentic (not top-down) relationships with people who are marginalized by mainstream American society?