Jim & Casper Go To Church:
Frank conversation about faith, churches and well-meaning Christians
Illinois: BarnaBooks, an imprint of Tyndale House Publishers, 2007.
Jim Henderson wears many hats: a pastor for 30 years, an author, and the creator
of the “Off the Map” website, which allows individuals to evaluate churches. Donning
the cap of researcher, Henderson enlists Matt Casper, an Atheist, to provide the “outsider’s” viewpoint of the Christian churches; the two visit a wide variety of institutions,–from mega churches to emerging (non-traditional) churches and even to a house church—seeking to learn why “outsiders” tend to remain outside the church.
Henderson and Casper, admittedly subjective in their observations, are processing their impressions based on one-time visits to worship services. Casper repeatedly asks, “Is this what Jesus told you guys to do?” as he views celebrity preachers selling doctrinal packages to the masses, polished professional musicians and singers entertaining rather than inspiring, and varied technological devices emphasizing showmanship rather than spirituality. Henderson reveals his own slant early in the book (p.19) when he says, “Jesus came to start a movement that would advance his mission of bringing reality, sanity, and love back to planet Earth…this plan got hijacked early on by some religionists who managed to institutionalize the movement. The result of those efforts is largely what you and I have come to think of as Christianity.”
It is little wonder that Henderson’s “Off the Map” website was besieged by angry “churched” people who felt betrayed by an “insider” who sympathized with “the lost.” Yet despite the strong feelings this study has elicited, and despite the shortcomings of the
research project’s narrow focus (in terms of number of churches evaluated, the period of time allotted for each observation, and the predispositions of the authors), there is not likely going to be any harm done to any of the evaluated churches. Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, Ervin McManus’s Mosaic Church, Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church, and the Willow Creek Church will continue to thrive despite criticisms (direct or implied).
But there may be much to be gained from this book as Henderson emphasizes areas in which Christians need to shift their attitudes and actions to try to build “God’s Kingdom” through behavior and actions rather than through roadblocks of dogma. He speaks of changing from “apologetics to apology”—from theological disputations to pleas for forgiveness for centuries of mistreatment—for being arrogant and unconcerned about “outsider’s” opinions. Henderson speaks of building listening skills and working more towards “dialogue than debate” so that people can become—not defenders of the faith, but defenders of “the space,” the safety zone in which communicators can share, listen, and respect each other. Rather than emphasizing beliefs or dogma, Henderson advocates focusing upon one’s spirituality. He calls on people to “stop comparing [other people’s] worst with our best, and instead practice bringing out the best in people’s understanding of spirituality even when it doesn’t sync with our beliefs.”
Perhaps the most moving aspect of this book is the running dialogue between the two authors. Virtually every chapter leads into discussions in which Henderson could have become a dogmatic Bible-thumper trying to convert the “lost” soul. But as if each section were an object lesson, the Pastor listens to, appreciates, and even validates Casper’s concerns while never trying to sway opinions. The proof of the success of this method is found in Casper’s appreciation of the whole experience, particularly in passages in which he sees evidence of church people reaching out to assist the community, regardless of religious backgrounds.
Casper’s major concern resonates with the theme Henderson has developed throughout the book: “Why [should I] join a movement that preaches love and equality and one body, but for two thousand years has itself essentially resisted the very change it preaches about? It makes a good case for being an atheist if the very people who claim to be serving God and obeying him aren’t doing what they say he’s telling them to do.” Henderson’s challenge to his readers is to take this question and observation to heart when evaluating the effectiveness of one’s church as well as one’s self in hearing and ministering to the “outsiders” as well as the “insiders.”
By Ted Odenwald
Ted Odenwald and his wife have lived in Oakland for 39 years. He taught HS English at Glen Rock High School for all of those years plus one more. Now he is enjoying time spent with his family, singing in the North Jersey Chorus and quenching his wanderlust.