The Suburban Christian

I recently finished a book called "The Suburban Christian" by Albert Y. Hsu, with the subtitle "Finding Spiritual Vitality in the Land of Plenty". You know I have often had people say to me, "Oh yeah must be rough having to minister in The Woodlands," after they find out where our church is located. My comment back is usually something like, "have you ever tried to tell someone who had everything the need that they still need something?" It is really difficult to tell someone that has everything that there is still something missing. On the other hand when you are in an area of great need, there is not much convincing...they already understand what it is to need and to want...they're just not sure what it is that they need.

I think this may be one of the most challenging pieces to being a Christian today in one of the most affluent countries, in one of the most affluent areas. Just to put it in perspective: "the average household headed by someone with a college degree has an income of about $72,000 a year. If you live in that household, you are richer than 95% of the people on the planet. You are probably richer than 99.99% of the people who have ever lived."

So how do we serve God outside of our tendency to toward individualism, affluence, and isolation? We must be in community together with both the Christian and Non-Christian. We need strong relationships with Christians who will challenge us in our faith and lift us up in times of need. We also need strong relationships with Non-Christians that we can encourage toward faith and be there in their times of need.

"And by God's grace, may his kingdom come and his will be done, in suburbia and the uttermost reaches of the earth" (p. 196 The Suburban Christian).