Gotta agree with you. The suburbs are dangerous and spiritually parched. They represent the people who have everything and need nothing, least of all, God. They don't even need other people! I live in the suburbs of Kansas City, and it's amazing how when we moved in, the neighbors acted scared of us. We had to go to their doors to meet them!

while some hip hop is "honest and from the soul", much of today's mainstream hip hop is just a facade meant to project a certain image and cash in on these same naive suburban kids.

wow, incredible analysis of suburban culture! I teach in the suburbia sprawl of Florida and couldn't agree more with this post. I will join you in that prayer!

Let's take it to another level: much of the Christianity put forth in the suburbs is pretty shallow and "me-oriented," at least from my vantage point in suburbia.

Great analysis but I would clarify one point.

Those of us who grew up with hiphop culture and participated in it do not call what is on today's radio 'hiphop music.' We call it rap music because it has been divorced from hiphop culture for the sake of corporate profit.

Hiphop culture has always had a quirky prophetic angry political edge to it (along with some that is not) and this was expressed through its artforms (rap, Djing, graffiti and break/urban dancing).

It would be appropriate to call rap music on the radio today narcissistic and that is what attracts suburban white teens: it glorifies the self and makes materialism, violence and sex the ultimate virtues. I believe it is the same reason why Americans were attracted to seeing stereotypical Mafioso Italian films. Urban teens are attracted to the same thing. The big difference is that even though they created the music, suburban white teens have larger purchasing power. So, essentially, the music is actually MADE for them.

As someone who has always lived in the city and has friends in the suburbs, you did a good job expressing many of the reasons I dont want to live in the suburbs.

Prophetik Soul, appreciate your clarification. Loved your insight. Dave Gibbons

Well said. Suburbia was marketed as a cultural and spiritual isopropyl alcohol. It was meant to sterilize everything. Get your kids into safe schools. Build high fences so your neighbors can't see your backyard. Build developments with wide streets, culdesacs, and sans-sidewalks, because we don't want anyone around that might not be the owner of a car. And it's not enough to own your home, you have to own one bigger than your parents, because your childhood proved that 2000 sq ft is not enough for a family of 4 to live comfortably.

The Inconvenient Truth for Suburban Christians is that Jesus talked more about the dangers of wealth building, money hording, and getting into debt than he did about violence, drugs, or sex. If Jesus were alive today, he wouldn't be found anywhere near the nation's sterilized suburbs.

Wow, is there any post on Out of Ur that can't be turned into a "Megachurches are bad" rant in the comments?

If that's the attitude that your churches have about other Bible-believing, Scripture-teaching churches, then no wonder the true Church is so fragmented and un-unified.

Did anyone say anything about mega-churches before James?

Great article. You really hit some interesting points here. Thanks for the post, it was real intriguing to read!

Your essay needs to be consistent on how it's defining "dangerous." You use clearly different definitions to evaluate the inner city and the suburbs - you lost your credibility with me because of this. And saying you're not a researcher, but relying on "gut impressions" isn't enough. With a few simple google searches, you could have gotten information to support or not support what you want to say.

You also need to acknowledge the need for suburbs to escape from violent crime and need for safety behind the gated communities. Any good father/husband would prefer this over a run down community, right? No place is perfect and without problems, but don't be a suburban hater!

Dallasm ~ Jesus wouldn't be around suburbs today?! According to the essay and your rationale, this is the place he would be, just as much as the inner city!

I used to live in Irvine.

I too think it is a dangerous place. The up and outer's live there.

They are comfortable enough. Go to little league games and the dry cleaners and the movies and BBQ with friends and yada, yada, yada.

What do they need with God?

(I guess most of us can say that in this country)

We are pretty much all idolators at heart.

Location doesn't matter. you'll find the same people in cities. You got your rich nieghborhoods of all those cities, and in those areas, you'll find much "materialism; greed; isolation ... boredom: apathy; fascination with the relevant more than the real; a love affair with popularity more than loving the poor; and a thirst for excitement superficially satisfied ... All this takes precedence over a dangerous ride with God on the frontlines of his movement."

the only difference is that the excitement and the parties are a little more accessible & frequent, and the churches not as common.

Everyone's thirst is the same. everyone medicates themselves similarly. location isn't a boundary that separates the neediness of people. and location isn't a boundary of where you find those who are radically following Christ. you'll find them both.

9 Their homes are safe from every fear,
and God does not punish them.
10 Their bulls never fail to breed.
Their cows bear calves and never miscarry.
11 They let their children frisk about like lambs.
Their little ones skip and dance.
12 They sing with tambourine and harp.
They celebrate to the sound of the flute.
13 They spend their days in prosperity,
then go down to the grave* in peace.
14 And yet they say to God, 'Go away.
We want no part of you and your ways.
15 Who is the Almighty, and why should we obey him?
What good will it do us to pray?'
16 (They think their prosperity is of their own doing,
but I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.)
-Job 21:9-16

What are the signs of Doomsday, the end of days ?

The 2 tower, earthquakes, nature striking back, brother against brother ?

Or like in this horrible story , a mother and sisters against a sick sister struggeling for help, but they have already in secrecy decided to "sacrifice" her ! for money ! !

read the horrible story here

www.medicalforgery.com

Um, you did, Dallas. And you can't really hide behind the "But I didn't call them mega-churches" argument either.

And if the suburbs are as bad as you say they are (and I'm not saying they're not), then absolutely Jesus would be there. And thankfully, He is, just as He is in the ghettos and the rural areas and out in the boonies.

Would Jesus live in the suburbs?

It depends on your defintion of 'lost.' Jesus believed that the Pharisees were lost but he did not spend tremendous time with them. The Pharisees sought Jesus out.

Someone said location is not the issue, its the haves and the have nots. That is partially true.

I know in the northeast U.S., you can find gated communities in the city but you still cannot ignore the poverty and desperation that shows itself in the places you frequent. I mean you can ignore it but you wont be able to avoid it. This can prompt soul searching and sometimes God is able to break through the clutter of city life.

Homogenity can sometimes breed boredom and boredom breeds restlessness.

The point is that there are places specifically designed to encourage this kind of boredom and many suburbs rank high in this area. Many cities ranks high in overstimulus. But ultimately it depends on the people and their motives.

Anyone who have studied U.S. cities know that the suburbs were initially created with some racial bias as one of its primary influences.

Question for those who live in the suburbs: Why do you choose to live there as opposed to living in a city? Is this a personal decision or a decision influenced by God's hand in your life?

God is calling many Christians out of the suburbs. I am a missionary who has encountered many thirsty Christians in recent months who are taking radical steps (quitting their jobs, selling their homes, home-schooling their kids) to flee the spiritual wastelands of the suburbs. It's a movement that is becoming a revolution.

It is not impossible to serve the Lord in spirit and in truth in the suburbs, but it's very, very difficult. When you have no challenges, no physical hardship and no surprises, how do you hear from the God of the universe? How does He break in through the frivolous busyness and comfort?

It's time for Christians to wake from their slumber and stop merely existing and start living for Christ at the margins of our world.

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

Question for those who live in the suburbs: Why do you choose to live there as opposed to living in a city? Is this a personal decision or a decision influenced by God's hand in your life?

Both.

Now, same question:
Question for those who live in the CITY: Why do you choose to live there as opposed to living in a city? Is this a personal decision or a decision influenced by God's hand in your life?

I'm not buying this idea that's being suggested here that the super-Christians are in urban centers, and the rest of us in the 'burbs, or worse yet, rural areas, are somehow not living out God's call on our lives. I first heard this same, er, stuff, back in seminary in terms of serving overseas vs. staying in the States.

I'm with Mark here...this turns all to quickly into the "I'm the one really doing what Jesus would do" conversation. Really? Jesus would only go to city centers? Never rural areas?

That argument could be made more appropriately with Paul, but Jesus? The one who would walk away from crowds? Seek solitude in early mountain prayer?

While I agree with the intent of the article, that suburbs are dangerous (and LOVED the Job quote above), I'm afraid that too much of our current race-to-the-city movement is all about fleeing the boredom and proving that we can "hang in the city" (which is often where our egos would love to be!). How about serving faithfully in those boring-old-burbs, not conforming to the comfort but shaking others out of the stupor and sending them into all the world?

Thanks for the article, and stimulating the thought.

Yes, part of the intent of the article actually was that people would see that the suburbs not just the urban centers are the breeding ground for radical zealots looking to do justice, mercy and to walk humbly with God.

It's of course a both/and. It seems many were just emphasizing a focus on the city when the urban centers are now enlarged to regional centers which include suburbs. Who better to be open to a wild ride with God then those living in "planned communities."

There is a blurring of the "city" lines that is occurring in the major cities of America and even in the cities of the world.

Someone already said that location isn't the issue. Its people. I believe this is partially true because, although we know this in our hearts, we often dont act like it.

It is no secret that the city takes a beating in the news regularly and it is no secret that much of what passes for entertainment and advertising we see today portrays the city as a wasteland, rural areas as backwards and the suburbs typically as ideal for raising kids, homeownership, jobs, etc.

That has influenced how we Christians think about the city and suburbs. I have met parents who are excited that their child is doing missionary work in Afghanistan but somewhow is scared to death when their child is doing similar work in North Phila.

We need to continue to work at our perceptions being driven by God's Kingdom (on both sides) rather than what our world says matters the most.

Another reason that I find suburbs to be so dangerous is because of the isolation which they breed. People have to make an effort to not mentally live in the suburbs. I'm so tired of hearing people talk in shocked tones about crimes that do happen in their neighborhoods. Look folks, we live in a depraved society. Why would you consider your enclave to be immune from that? We kid ourselves if we think a mere change of address is all that we need. No, we need a change of heart. Sadly, the first thing people think of when their little world is impinged upon by the ills of society, is to move further and further out. As the saying goes, you can run, but you can't hide. I will also tell you as one who was born and raised in the city and is in the city every week, that many suburbanites contribute to the downfall of some major metropolitan areas as they drive into the city to engage in drug trade or lewd acts. Then they go back home and slip back into the facade of suburbia, commiserating with their neighbors over the next horrific crime that occurs in the city. Why not expose kids to something else like a missions trip into the inner city to get a grasp on how others live, not from the vantage point of someone looking for drugs or sex, but rather as someone on a mission. I find too many people in the suburbs live sheltered lives and seem to like it like that, but that is not a good way to live. We need to be touched by the misfortunes of others rather than living lives that are cloistered from the realities of life. I can't tell you how out of touch some of my suburban acquaintainces are with what is real life for many people. As Christians, this should not be.

I couldn't agree more. Don't forget the suicide rate among teens who live in the suburbs.

I have always thought America is one of the most spiritually dangerous places to be born for the reasons you mention. The most spiritually dangerous things in me are the little habits of thought, feeling and action that I regard as “normal”. The more innocuous and acceptable something seems, the more dangerous it may be. People kind of have a love/hate thing for danger. Bungee jumping, etc. The gospel is a dangerous msg. We must show people where the real danger is—that is, in the person of Jesus Christ. He’s the most dangerous person who ever lived. Following him can expose you to very real temporary danger, like living in Zimbabwe. But this job description comes with a perk—the constant presence of your Strengthener and protector. It’s the only way to live. Total dangers/total protection. Guaranteed.
JS Missionary to Zimbabwe since 2003

Pastor Gibbons: What percentage of the money you collect in Irvine goes to buy weekly Bible lectures, professionalized youth go-go events, expert child outsourcing so adults are "free" from their kids at church, hired expert souped up music for each homogeneic styled group for worship, and special campus/campuses for these crowd oriented events that benefit mostly (not totally) the comfort zone of the suburbians who "give" (actually pool) the money? What percentage of the giving goes beyond the "needs" of the givers? Just percentages please. I know flashy church is not cheap. I know suburbanites love church flashy. Your website talks about reaching the world, and I know a certain percentage of $ goes beyond the givers. What are the percentages, Irvine vs. Beyond Irvine?

These percentages may tell us how deeply the self-serving assumptions of suburbia are embedded in the systemic assumptions of your church.

hmmmm. . . are you referring to financial percentages, subject matter expertise or knowledge sharing percentages and also human resources as well? man, we have a long ways to go but actually everything we try to do is geared towards either developing people towards being a third culture leader (going beyond us) or actually sending people out. So percentages we're 97.777 percent about developing, sending and supporting both local and global indigenous leaders. (I subtracted a couple of percentage points in there for possible errors in calculations and of course illusions we have about ourselves.)Most of the budget goes towards the leasing of a warehouse in Orange County and a small venue in Santa Ana and the staff that we have that focuses on volunteer development.

We're far from perfect on this and continue to feel we need to do more. Yet in the last three years, we've actually pulled back on professional staff by about 50 percent or so. Most of our events are volunteer led as well as our music venues. Sunday morning music and production teams are almost all volunteer driven and free. In fact, we (paid staff) focus on leadership development for most of our time more than programs. Except for children's ministries most of our events are self-sustaining. We don't budget for those.

Now where I feel greater conviction is my personal lifestyle. This is where I feel i continue need to do more. Currently most of my time is spent during the work week in Santa Ana, the largest Hispanic community in America and the youngest city in the nation. Also, I try to spend alot of time working with global and local leadership, and with organizations that focus on the poor, women and children. At this time, it's only about 20 percent of my time.

When it comes to financial campaigns, we've raised almost equally as much money or more for the justice, advocacy and compassion ministries we do around the world. But again, i still feel we need to do so much more. Even though are website looks cool and "flashy" it actually was done pretty inexpensively. . . it's done on wordpress.

Hope this helps towards your query.