How can suburban churches minister to their communities?
Hsu: Sociologists have said that America needs a “third place,” outside of the first two places of home and work. We’ve lost the civic gathering places and public squares where people used to meet and connect. That’s why coffeehouses like Starbucks did so well in the 90s–they filled that vacuum with places for people to meet. But really, the third place should be the church! Suburban churches can be civic places that are open to their communities. You don’t have to have a food court or espresso bar to do this. Any church with Sunday school classrooms can open themselves to other organizations to meet in their buildings, Girl Scouts, Al-Anon, whatever. IVP: What does it mean to be a suburban Christian? Hsu: Being a suburban Christian means that even though suburbia can be an anonymous, materialistic, consumerist environment, we intentionally live in ways that promote community, generosity, simplicity and civic good. It means that we look for ways to love our suburban neighbor as oursel
