One Parish, One Book Discussions.
Join us in reading and discussing The Future Church by John Allen, Jr. Mr. Allen develops 10 trends that will affect the directions of the Catholic Church as it journeys forward.
Allen's work is admired across ideological divides. Liberal commentator Fr. Andrew Greeley calls his writing "indispensable," while the late Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, a conservative, called Allen's reporting "possibly the best source of information on the Vatican published in the United States." His weekly internet column, "All Things Catholic," is widely read as a source of insight on the global Church. John divides his time between Rome and his home in Denver, Colorado. He grew up in Western Kansas, and holds a Master's degree in Religious Studies from the University of Kansas.
Calendar
Sunday Mornings
PLC Lounge from 9:35 to 10:25 a.m. February 12th and 26th, March 11th and 25th, & April 15th and 29th. The nursery is available.
OR
Wednesday Evenings
In the Fellowship Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. February 15th and 29th, March 14th and 28th & April 18th and May 2nd
OR
Dine & Discuss Events on Tuesday evenings
Join us at local area restaurants for these lively discussions and fabulous meals! The Restaurant schedule is available here (below) or on bookmarks in the narthex. All dine and discuss events start at 6:30 p.m. at the restaurant. Everyone picks up their own tab.
February 21st - African Continental Cuisine 257 North Green Street.
March 13th - Cleopatra Egyptian Cuisine 1310 Westover Ter. Ste.107.
March 27th - Saigon Vietnamese Cuisine 4205 High Point Road.
April 10th - Gitanos International Cuisine 3932-Ste. E West Market St.
April 24th - Bravo! Cucina Italiana 3324 West Friendly Avenue.
May 8th - LeBlon Churrascaria 106 South Holden Road.
Discussion Questions
Trend 1
1) In Trend One, Allen refers to ad intra, the internal life of the church, and ad extra, its engagement with broader religious and social questions outside the Church. How would you describe the American Church as it relates to these terms? Discuss the pros and cons of both.
2) What are your thoughts about Allen's proposed impact on the American Chruch of the consequences to the "rise of the South"? How do you see this impacting you and St. Paul's?
3) What can we learn from what is taking place in the South which has and is causing huge growth in devout Catholic populations?
Trend 2
Comment on the following four examples which illustrate how the evangelical press for affirmation of traditional Catholic identity is unfolding in different areas of church life.
1) Liturgy Wars - Shift toward traditional language (involving word choices and sentence structures unfamiliar in twenty-first-century spoken English); Worship (music, liturgical architecture); Revival of the Tridentine Mass in Latin.
2) Catholic Education - Assessing the Catholic identity of church-affiliated Catholic colleges and universities; the question of "what makes a Catholic school Catholic?" (Allen references events at Holy Cross and Notre Dame as seemingly inconsistent with Catholic teaching.)
3) Priestly Identity - Reinforcing traditional markers of priesthood with clear distinction between clergy and laity (some fear this emphasis will lead the church back to clericalism and seeing laity as a lower order of life; distinction between priestliness and clericalism ("Clericalism speaks of privilege, prerogatives, special treatment, begin served rather than serving; it prefers sacristies to streets and is usually more concerned with cuff links and cassocks than care of souls," says Archbishop Timothy Dolan of NY.)
4) Theological Clarity: Christology and Ecclesiology - Jesus is the living Son of God and the lone Savior of the world, and the Catholic Church is the community called into being by Christ - in short, the "one true Church."
Reflect on your personal views of this trend.
Trend 3
John Allen, Jr. paints the picture of rapidly disappearing Christianity in the Middle East… and in fact other global areas such as Europe. On page 97, Allen states, "the religious zeal of many Muslims holds up an uncomfortable mirror for Western Christians, revealing the extent to which our own spiritual force may have been sapped by secularism."
Do you feel this statement is justified for both groups, Christian and Muslim? Do we have a laissez-faire attitude about our religion or religion in general? Is religion worth fighting for (figuratively/literally)? Why or why not?
Perhaps one of the most surprising theories of this trend might be found on page 132 and 133: the anticipated collaboration between Catholics and Muslims regarding worldviews on the sanctity of life and "sexual rights." The common ground found in these issues may very well be a basis to help forge stronger interfaith relationships between the two religions. Was this surprising to you? Why or why not? In your opinion, what has to happen to close the gaps between us? Is this an issue here in Greensboro, NC? At St. Paul? How and why?
Trend 4
This trend speaks to the depopulation of planet earth. 2.1 children born to a woman is the widely recognized replacement level to sustain the population. Birth rates under that number would eventually result in extinction of the human population for that area. The causes sited were somewhat summed up on the bottom of page 145, "Increased infant and child survival, greater access to education and health services especially for women, expanded access and use of effective contraception methods combined with changes in individual and parental aspirations, increased women empowerment and participation in the market economy." reflect with your table on the following areas of that statement:
- The part played by finances. More is better. What the "more" is spent on. Pursuit of the American dream. Do you feel our aspirations are ultimately going to sign humanity's death certificate? What are our choices/compromises?
- A new role for women— how is success measured for a woman these days? What are the long term ramifications of this? Is a new direction needed? How do you believe we should proceed?
- The consequences of a "graying" population: financial, family dynamics, passing on of the faith.
- A delayed reaction in the U.S. do to liberal immigration policies… the south moves north. How does this effect our own Church? Positive/negative?
Trend 5: Expanding Lay Roles
1) John Allen states that what makes expanding lay roles a trend in the 21st century is that the laity are "emerging as protagonists both inside and outside the Church". How do you see that the role of the laity has changed in the Church? How do you perceive the role of lay ministers at St. Paul's? Is there evidence that the lay ministers at St. Paul's are both internally and externally focused in their roles and actions?
2) Despite the popular view that the Church is anti-woman, we are told that new lay professional roles are held disproportionately by women. Furthermore, historical patterns in Christianity demonstrate that there has always been a predominance of women both in the vineyard as well as in the pews. Predicting an even greater expansion of women's roles in the Church raises the concern that Christianity might alienate men, and further feminize the Church. Do you agree or disagree that men are alienated by the Church? Or that the Church is being feminized?
3) A near-certain consequence of expanding lay roles is that instead of threatening the identity of the ordained priesthood, this trend might force a more sacramental model of the priesthood. How do you see the current role of the parish priest? Where do you see it going? And where would you like to see it in the future?
Trend 6: The Biotech Revolution
1) American science journalist Ronald Bailey is quoted as saying "the point of biotechnology is to create a world in which people live longer, stay healthier, feel better, and produce less harmful effects on the world around them". Do you agree with this perspective? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of this Liberation Biology point of view?
2) Allen states "opposition to the brave new world of biotechnology will stem as much from the secular left as the religious right". How do you see the issues stemming from the growth of the biotechnological industry redefining political alliances? What are your hopes for the role the Church will play as these bioethical issues are debated?
3) Discuss the theology of suffering and sin and whether you see it as having a role in this debate about biotechnologies.
Trend 9: Multipolarism
Allen defines multipolarism in this context as the political, military, economic and strategic influences that are brought to bear on the global community from a number of emerging powers. In our near future the powers are shap- ing up to be Brazil, Russia, India and China. As these countries gain power the following trends will arise:
1) A lack of understanding of Christian beliefs and practices by coun- tries whose religions are not Judeo, Christian, or Muslim will foster new and greater ecumenical endeavors to build bridges between countries and religious practices. How do you see this as effecting the practice of Catholicism both globally and in the U.S.? How might we go about this in our own backyard?
2) The potential for the growth of Christianity in China looms large de- pending on how things develop in the country. The current mission- ary work is seen as an uphill battle, and yet the efforts are projected to increase. What do you see as the key obstacles to missionaries in China, India and around the world? How can we at home support, encourage and further their important work? What do you think of the idea of local Bishop selection coming from a collaboration of Chi- nese suggestions and the Vatican pick?
3) Inculturation… making Christianity organic in these non-Christian nations is a must if they are to succeed. How does that happen? How did we do it in the U.S.? What kinds of Catholic Characteristics are "local" and which ones are "global"? Can you speculate on how that might play out in China and in India among the Dalit class?
Trend 10: Pentecostalism
1) Pentecostalism is on the rise in Christian denominations including Ca- tholicism. One of the most controversial characteristics of the move- ment is what Allen identifies as the "Prosperity Gospel." It is a belief that God will reward people who have sufficient faith with both material prosperity and physical health. What are your views on this concept? What are the pros and cons of spreading this kind of "Gpood News?" How does this idea effect treatment of the poor?
2) The Pentecostal movement fosters a deeper belief in all things super- natural: angels and demons, spirit possessions and exorcisms, mira- cles and healings. On a scale of 1 to 10, how much does the concern for the above supernatural ideas figure into your own life? Speak on your own views and beliefs about the supernatural arena. Where would a heightened awareness and increased supernatural practices take us in a congregation? Do we want to go there?
3) Allen relates an entrepreneurial spirit to the Pentecostal movement. While Catholics are not empowered to start their own parishes, we will see a rise in the number of lay movements, prayer groups and small church communities. Discuss the pros and cons of this phenomenon as you see it.