Living at the margins

Encounter, Winter 2002 by Wheeler, Edward

This essay was first written for an ecumenical church conference in February of 2001. I was asked to talk about what I thought the African American Church might be able to teach the EuroAmerican Church in the face of the decline so many white churches seemed to be facing. Since the first presentation, I have sought input and advice from colleagues that led to a revision that was used as a major presentation in June of 2001. Additional revisions have been made since then for this festschrift. I offer this piece as a token of my appreciation for the five years I have known Clark Williamson and for the work we were able to do together. I pray Clark will enjoy many more productive years, challenging all of us to be the people of God we claim to be.

The twenty-first century has officially begun and for much of Euro-American Protestantism, the bad news has been confirmed. Despite the fact that American citizens still overwhelmingly affirm their belief in the existence of God and claim to have a personal faith, in the last twenty to thirty years church membership numbers have plunged and mainline white Protestantism has experienced a prolonged and serious decline. Denominations that built huge gothic churches in the 1920s and 1930s, as a testimony to their wealth, power, and presumed spiritual superiority, now struggle to keep such buildings open. All too often endowments, day care centers, or some combination of community programs provide the financial resources needed to keep the facilities operating. The old families have died out, the younger generation has moved out, and the new urban residents, often of a different racial make-up and frequently with a different language, have stayed out. Balconies gather dust as regular worship may be held in the fellowship hall instead of the sanctuary, and it is not uncommon to see the once busy baptistry now used for the storage of furniture because baptisms do not occur very often any more. It is also increasingly difficult to attract talented young people for ministerial training in order to keep existing churches open and viable. Furthermore, several denominations indicate that a real crisis is looming because of the large number of current ministers who will retire in the next ten to twenty years.

Christianity in white America is facing a serious crisis. That crisis is in part a reflection of the reality that mainline Euro-American Protestantism, which once dominated the American religious landscape, has lost that dominance. Furthermore, despite the faith claims of our new President that his faith saved his marriage and his life, and despite his efforts to allow for faith-based communities to compete for federal money geared to address social problems, America is by and large a secular society. In America, religion is all too often seen as just one of any number of socially positive endeavors, and Christianity is viewed as but one of several equally valid and, in some cases, equally irrelevant religious options. Is there any wonder that many denominations, facing financial shortages in addition to declining numbers, have retreated to a survival mentality, remembering the past with fondness while seeking to reclaim the mythical "golden age" and looking for just the right program to return them to prominence?

The truth is that white Euro-American Protestantism is now on the margins of American life. Some may argue that it was never at the center of power, but for a long time, mainline Protestantism acted like it was at the center of the culture. The white church helped shape and reflected the values of the culture and enjoyed the privileges that its position provided. Whether it was appropriate or not, mainline white Protestantism was the benchmark for judging the validity of other religious expressions which invariably came up short. Now, mainline Protestantism finds itself outside the seats of power. Mainline Protestantism has lost its way and is struggling with the idea that it now has to learn how to "live at the margins."

Living at the margins is not easy, but I believe that EuroAmerican Protestantism can live and even thrive at the margins. Furthermore, I am convinced that living at the margins might allow the white church to regain its soul and reclaim its faithful witness to God. However, if mainline white Protestantism is to live at the margins, I want to suggest that it take some lessons from the African American church, which has had to live at the margins since its earliest beginnings.

It is neither my intent nor desire to suggest that the African American church is perfect. I know all too well its humanity to make that claim. Neither is it my intention to suggest that Euro-American Protestantism has no redeeming qualities. That would lack integrity. What I do want to claim is that living at the margins requires a different perspective than living from the position of power. The black church in America has had to develop the skills that have helped it thrive at the margins. Perhaps the white church could benefit from taking some notes!