Churches Embrace ‘New Urbanism’ as Antidote to Isolation

Marshall Allen’s RNS piece (lkinked above) features Christian leaders who see the architectural movement known as ‘new urbanism’ as “a possible antidote to the isolation experienced by many churches and Christians. Across the country, influential Christians are thinking theologically about urban design and applying its principles to the church. They advocate for New Urbanist concepts because they force people to share with one another, dwell among their neighbors and allow for a healthy exchange of ideas.”

Randy Frazee, a pastor at mega-church Willow Creek Community Church, compares “mega-churches to castles surrounded by moats. A few times a year the drawbridge is lowered to let people in, where they become a subculture separate from the outside world. They become so involved in church life that they are not involved in their neighborhoods, he said.”

New Urbanists look to create a “third place” where people gather, other than home or work. “The third place is an important part of a communityâÂ?¦It’s where people from diverse backgrounds learn to interact.”