One of the concepts I continually stress to my seminarians is the concept that Christianity, and faith, is corporate in nature. One expression of the concept is the idea that while there is a personal dimension to faith, faith is always corporate in nature. In other words, “You can’t be a Christian by yourself,” or, “You cannot be a Christian apart from the Body of Christ, the Church.”The corporate concept of Christianity and faith often is a challenge for many students reared in overly- or exclusively individualistic experiences of faith and church.
John M. Buchanan is cited in the June 12, 2008 issue of the Christian Century as a proponent of a corporate understanding to Christianity and faith. Here’s the from the “Century Marks” feature:
NO LONE CHRISTIANS: John M. Buchanan argues that there is no such thing as a solitary Christian, and that God places us in the blessed community called the church. Buchanan, senior pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago and editor/publisher of the Century, makes this case in the just-published book A New Church for a New World (Geneva Press). Buchanan doesn’t waste time lamenting the decline of mainline denomination, and sees hope for a smaller, leaner mainline church in the future. Yet he’s not ready to write off denominations or declare this a postdenominational era. (p. 9).
It’s always refreshing to read a thoughtful stance that goes against the stream of uncritical, shrill, and populist voices. I’m looking forward to reading more of what Buchanan has to say in the book. My own next book, Planning and Organizing for Christian Education Formation: A Community of Faith Approach (Chalice Press) written with Marty Canaday is intended to help cutivate a more corporate understanding of the congregation as church. Watch for its fall 2008 release.
