Community

Is it just me, or is everything getting smaller…and bigger…all at the same time?

Here’s what I mean: I just got a new cell phone that is so thin it would have to “jump around in the shower to get wet,” as the old saying goes.

The advantage?

It’s much, much easier to lose.

That, plus the battery doesn’t work, so I’m back to using my old one until a new battery arrives. But, I digress, as preachers often do.

Some things in our world are getting bigger…lots bigger.

For instance, if you live in a developing area (and few are developing more rapidly than Douglasville, GA), take a few minutes and drive through some of the new subdivisions that are going up around your community.

American houses are getting big. Real big.

Last week, I read a great article on the subject of the “ever-expanding American dream house.”

The average size of a new home built in America last year is 2,414 square feet. In 1950, that number was 983 square feet. In the course of my lifetime, average new home size has increased by nearly 1000 square feet.

No wonder the closet in the master bath of the house we bought last year (which is very nice, don’t get me wrong, but probably just about middle-of-the-road for our community) is bigger than the bedrooms I grew up in.

So, what’s behind the “big house” phenomenon?

While nobody knows for sure, there are definitely several contributing factors. It’s fascinating to listen to the speculation.

Architect Ann Suchin was quoted in the article, saying, “You know, we are very tenuous. Nobody knows when the next 9/11 will happen. These houses represent safety -- and the bigger the house, the bigger the fortress.”

Even more interesting, however, were the thoughts of Jacqui Lofaro, a member of the planning and development board of Bridgehampton, New York. "If you have people coming out from the city, where they are bombarded by people, the tendency is to isolate themselves," she says. "Their house is their community. It is not the community's community, it is their community."

As a Pastor, “community” is my stock and trade, so her words really got my attention. Could it be that we Americans are rounding the bend of a cultural turning point?

Is it possible that we’ve given up on the idea of “life together,” in favor of “my life, in my house?”

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think our generation is doing anything that other generations wouldn’t have done if the circumstances, economics and reality of their world would have allowed them.

Being together is hard work. And now that the American economy has grown to the point that even middle-class Americans can afford houses that are bigger than we need, why not?

Michael Frisby, local “big house” owner also interviewed in the article said, “"I think everybody has their individual wants. This is my dream. And let's face it: In America, in this day and age, many of us have gotten to the point where we can do this."

He also says that even though he used to be “the party guy,” life in his big house is so good that now there’s, “no reason to go out.”

Let’s take a second and let that one settle…

Holy Cow.

If I may, please allow me to advance a few crazy ideas:

Your house is not, and cannot be your community.

Life lived inside a “fortress” is not really life lived at all.

Too many square feet puts too much space, both literal and metaphorical, between you, your spouse and your kids.

We’re not as powerful economically as we think we are, and many American “big houses” are built on the foundations of crazy mortgage schemes that will soon come home to roost.

Our misplaced, “fortress” priorities bring undue financial stress to families and communities.

Eventually, smoke and mirrors always fail, and that’s when real community is needed. For an amazing example of this cycle, read the saga of the Cruz Family, winners of last year’s HGTV “Dream Home.”

So, what are we to do?

A well-known “preacher story” says that an old-time, country Reverend went out deep in the woods one winter morning to visit “John,” who was given to being absent from the congregation for long periods of time.

“John,” the preacher said, “we miss you at the church, and you need to come out and be a part of us.”

John stiffened his back, felt his growing resolve, and said, “Preacher, I’ve told you before that I don’t need to sit in church with a bunch of hypocrites to meet God. I can worship right here in this house, right here in these woods.”

The Old Preacher said nothing, but moved close to the heat and light of John’s roaring fireplace.

Slowly, he took the shovel from the hearth and placed a single, glowing coal on its rough brick surface.

“I guess you’re right, John,” he said. “You don’t need your church, and that coal on your hearth doesn’t need that fireplace, either.”

As the old Preacher left and went on his way, John watched that single coal fade from brightly burning to cold and gray…alone.

John was in church on Sunday.

“Community” inside our own “big houses” is a mirage, and it's sure to fail. Like all the things that look good at first, and feel good for a while, eventually the experience and comfort will fade, and we’ll go looking for bigger and better to quiet the restlessness within us.

We need God.

God loves a party, and he made us so that we need each other, too.

Somehow we see God a little better when “two or three are gathered” than when we seek him on our own.

SOTH may not be much on square footage, but I promise we’ve got a “big house” of heart, with room inside for everybody. That’s the call of the gospel, and our mission for the world.
Find yourself a fireplace, and burn brightly…together.

Grace and Peace,
Adam

LIFE AT SOTH:

This is FIESTA Vacation Bible School week at Shepherd of the Hills. We’ve had nearly 100 kids (2 yrs old to 5th grade) enroll in our Bible School, and many, many volunteer leaders and youth helpers involved as well. Many thanks to our children’s director, Kathryn Beasley, for her great work, and to all our volunteers who have made VBS a real success.

This Sunday, our kids from VBS will present their program at our 10:00 worship service, followed by a cookout and dessert auction sponsored by our United Methodist Men. Our regular 8:30 worship service will also be offered this Sunday.

SOTH member and world-renowned magician and entertainer Bill Clary will be performing two fundraiser shows at SOTH on the evening of July 22. There will be a ticket rally at the church on July 8th with volunteers available from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. to sell tickets and talk to the community about the show. All proceeds will support our “Communications Team” in their efforts and work with Details Communications.

Details is an outstanding church outreach and marketing company that SOTH will be partnered with over the next several months. Look for a complete re-design of our logo, website, newsletter, bulletin, and maybe even the “soth blog!” Details will do a wonderful job helping SOTH articulate our identity and mission to the community.

Also on July 22, Lifeover Ministries, a mission and outreach team from SOTH will host a classic and custom car show in the Douglasville First UMC parking lot. All funds raised will support Lifeover’s work with our rapidly growing “kids’ closet,” where kids and families in need can come and find free, quality clothing for their youngsters. Thanks to DFUMC for their partnership with us in this great ministry!

SOTHBLOG NOTES: No entry next Wednesday, July 19th as Adam and family will be on vacation! Whoo-hooo!!