Michelle Boorstein of The Washington Post wrote an exceptional front-page story on Tuesday about the uncertain future of the Church of the Saviour, which the Rev. Gordon and Mary Cosby founded 60 years ago. Cosby preached his final sermon — at age 91 — on December 28.
Boorstein tells the story of a church that has shown an influence far beyond its humble numbers:
In fact, the church has about the same number of members it has always had, fewer than 200. Its ever-expanding ministries continue, and the rise of such service-oriented leaders as Barack Obama and Rick Warren suggests wider embrace of its basic philosophy: A commitment to serious, inward contemplation as well as ambitious social justice work. No spectators. Action over institution.
“It’s the most missionally engaged congregation I’ve ever come into contact with,” said Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, a former member who is now general secretary of the Protestant denomination the Reformed Church in America.
Members include the founder of the mega-ministry Fellowship of Christian Athletes and national religious leaders. Former members have launched service organizations from Seattle to Texas.
Progressive evangelical leader Jim Wallis wrote in 1997 that the Church of the Saviour “has had more influence around the country than any other church I know about.”
Church of the Saviour’s future seems far from bright amid the departure of Cosby, the lack of a successor and the church’s decision to sell the Victorian mansion that unites its disparate small groups.
But, then, Church of the Saviour has always placed greater emphasis on social activism than on increasing its numbers. Boorstein posed this heartbreaking series of questions about the church’s future:
Will the faith communities ultimately become totally separate? Will another leader appear? Will the mission groups remain faith-driven, or will secular nonprofit people eventually take them over?
It sounds rather like a death spiral, unless Church of the Saviour finds some way of reinventing itself.
There’s one lighthearted moment in Boorstein’s story:
Last week, a frail but spirited Cosby was typically serene about the future of the movement he launched six decades ago. He noted that megachurches, now struggling to manage their size, have come to the church for guidance on how to be small. He talked about urging church members to be positive about what is, or what he calls “the is-ness.”
I have to love a nonagenarian who speaks as though he could lead an emergent church. Maybe that’s what he has led all along.
Photo of Gordon Cosby appears with the kind permission of FaithAtWork.com.
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Comments (8) |
January 7, 2009, at 12:28 pm
I’m happy to see such great coverage of such an unusual group. This caught my eye:
In this era of ferment where the news is filled with emergent churches, mega-churches, traditional churches in decline, struggles between liberal and conservative churches, it’s refreshing to see someone who’s focused on the church as a vessel for Christianity rather than a structure which has perceived value in its own right.
January 7, 2009, at 12:48 pm
From the article: “Its ever-expanding ministries continue, and the rise of such service-oriented leaders as Barack Obama and Rick Warren..”
I have no idea what Barack Obama has to do with this topic. He’s no religious leader. I guess it’s all-Obama all the time at the WaPost. Sigh.
January 7, 2009, at 8:45 pm
Douglas, thanks for highlighting this story. The writing is concise and densly packed - it must have taken a long time to write such a short article. This church is quite unique, but I’d bet there are countless organizations almost as interesting, and lots of opportunity for coverage like this.
To any journalists reading this, click here:
http://www.circleurban.org/
Peggy, the topic of the article is not just religion, but social justice, as well as its future. Boorstien asks “Will the mission groups remain faith-driven, or will secular nonprofit people eventually take them over?” Obama’s proposals for community service programs and continued funding for faith-based programs, as well as his experience as a community organizer make him as relevant as Warren to the future of social justice programs. It has nothing to do with “all-Obama all the time at the WaPost.” I don’t see how Boorstein should be obligated to restrict his article to only religious figures.
January 7, 2009, at 9:01 pm
Thank you, Grupetti, for the link to Circle Urban Ministries.
I thought of mentioning that angle, as I lived in greater Chicago when what was left of Circle (as a church) closed its doors. I’m glad that its social-justice ministry continues, although I grieve for the lost sense of community among Christians who called Circle their church home. I have a feeling there must have been some serious division in Circle (again, as a church) in the years before I lived in the area.
January 7, 2009, at 10:21 pm
I agree that the article was well written. I have followed the story of the Church of the Saviour for many years, have sat with Cosby at the Potter’s House occasionally, and have tried to graft some of his models into an older institutional church. The article picks up well on his spirit and describes the church’s approach well. I truly hope that this church, or configuration of churches, will not die and will not become “just another church.” They are needed.
January 8, 2009, at 12:33 pm
The topic is social justice through religious bodies. Obama may have attended a church involved in social justice for years, but he hasn’t been to any church since the spring. He’s no different from any one else in the pews. He’s a politician, not a social justice leader.
I remain of the opinion that the inclusion of Obama’s name was gratuitous. W Bush initiated the agenda of social work by faith-based groups. This isn’t Obama’s brain-child. If the journalist wanted to discuss the fate of W Bush’s program, then it would be reasonable to discuss Obama there.
January 12, 2009, at 9:45 am
Interesting discussion. I am Gordon Cosby’s “associate” for want of a better word, and I’ll continue to serve as The Church of the Saviour’s central staff person. Just to clarify, our church (which has been composed of 9 independent faith communities for the past 15 years) is not ending…but we hope always to be “dying” to structures that don’t challenge us to make real the Real. Gordon, at 91.5 years of age, is not retiring from anything other than his weekly preaching. As long as God allows, he will be pouring himself out in various ministry efforts. And all of us will be listening for what God has in mind…as I hope all church communities are doing day by day by day. As Clarence Jordan said, following Jesus is to be continually dying and continually living.
January 25, 2009, at 3:49 pm
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