Book Review/Reaction by Robert Shaw

Arthur H. DeKruyter with Quentin J. Schultze, The Suburban

Church: Practical Advice for Authentic Ministry1
Arthur DeKruyter left a successful ministry to start a suburban church in the 1960's. This book
captures what he learned about growing a suburban church. Noting that a single formula does
not exist, the authors describe DeKruyter's experiences with Christ Church in Oak Brook,
Illinois, which grew from five families to 1,200 members, having peaked at three-thousand
members.
DeKruyter reports having left a denomination to form an independent church and frequently
laments not having access to denominational resources or reports having developed parallel
resources.
The authors are long on what not to do. Occasionally they lapse into double negatives rather
than plainly state what should be affirmed.
Listening to the community was key to DeKruyter's process. In addition to going to places
where people congregate (coffee shops and libraries), he encourage and used home gatherings
for attending to community concerns and for conducting basic Christianity classes. While
DeKruyter needed in home sessions, due to lack of a church building, they had the added benefit
of providing a neutral non-threatening locations where members could invite their friends to a
social event, rather than a religious institutional event.
The authors list seven characteristics of suburbanites, which contrast with my experiences in
rural and small town settings.
1. Motivated from within. Peer pressure and other forms of external persuasion are not
effective. Suburbanites tend towards self-motivation and independent thinking.
2. Demand dependability. Suburbanites keep commitments they make and expect others to
do so as well. In rural communities, I have seen relationships trump professionalism.
3. Revere experts and authorities. When they need answers, they seek top-notch
professionals who readily respond with the latest and best practices. Just as they would
seek excellent sports clothing, equipment, and instruction for themselves, they expect
excellence from their church facility and staff. In rural communities I have seen a
preference for people who are known to a community over experts.
4. Goal oriented. They are excited by documented progress towards goals. Suburban
pastors and elders must be able to address conflict and perfectionism frequently generated
by goal driven, type-A personalities.
5. Committed to excellence. They get behind organizations they know who are similarly
committed, and will not withhold their enthusiasm and support.
6. Confidently enthusiastic about the future. “They are quick to tell others about their latest
projects and accomplishments, not so much out of pride, as excitement.” The small town
communities I have served tend to view the future as a continuation of the past rather
than a new opportunity to improve the world.

1 Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008

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Book Review/Reaction by Robert Shaw

7. Have significant family problems and frustrations. The pressures of suburbanite life,
including self-inflicted drive, erupt as broken marriages, chemical abuse, child abuse,
poor communication, and distant relationships. People suddenly showing up at church
may be the first in their families to reach out for help in these situations. I have seen
families in small towns drift in and out of church, but they often have large extended
families that have connections to one congregation or another.
The authors provide a primer on management of volunteers adapted from secular management
materials. They emphasize assessing each assignment and volunteer for: current priority; support
of the congregation's vision; matching volunteer to a particular assignment; funding allocation;
pastoral/staff support and concurrence; schedule for completion; and progress evaluations. The
author provides personal examples of pastoral respect of individual expertise and authority while
exercising theological, spiritual, and ecclesiastical oversight.
Chapters 5 through 10 continue the language of suburban ministry to describe preaching,
personnel management, local and global mission, stewardship, and faith development. These
chapters tend towards thematic memoir. The lessons offered here would apply equally well to
the churches in small towns that I have served and are much better developed and presented
elsewhere.
The entire book would benefit from greater theological reflection linking his practices, lessons
learned, and suburban characteristics to the creeds and confessions of the Church and to
Scripture.

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