Alone/Together: the Production of Religious Culture in a Church for the Unchurched
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ALONE/TOGETHER: THE PRODUCTION OF RELIGIOUS CULTURE IN A CHURCH FOR THE UNCHURCHED _______________________________________ A Dissertation presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School at the University of Missouri _______________________________________________________ In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctorate of Philosophy _____________________________________________________ by KEVIN L MCELMURRY Dr. Mary Jo Neitz, Dissertation Advisor JULY 2009 The undersigned, appointed by the dean of the Graduate School, have examined the dissertation entitled ALONE/TOGETHER: THE PRODUCTION OF RELIGIOUS CULTURE IN A CHURCH FOR THE UNCHURCHED Presented by Kevin McElmurry A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy And hereby certify that in their opinion it is worthy of acceptance. __________________________________________ Professor Mary Jo Neitz __________________________________________ Professor J. Kenneth Benson __________________________________________ Professor Wayne Brekhus __________________________________________ Professor Peter M. Hall __________________________________________ Professor Richard Callahan __________________________________________ Professor Catharine Holland My dissertation is dedicated to the many people of River Chapel who were so generous in sharing their time with me. Rod, thank you for meeting me half way. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation would not have been possible without the generous help and support of my professors, colleagues, and friends at the University of Missouri. My final year of writing was supported by the Louisville Foundation Dissertation Fellowship for research on religion and American Culture. I thank the members of the Louisville Institute for their interest in and support of my work. Research is a communal affair and I have many people to thank. Through course work and conversation, each member of my committee challenged me to expand my perspectives and push boundaries while forming this research project. Professors Hall and Benson opened new theoretical horizons to me and shed light on the complexities of persistent sociological concerns. Professor Holland conducted an independent readings course with me exploring art and politics that proved to be very influential in the development of my thinking about these issues. Professors Brekhus and Callahan offered insightful and often piercing questions about my work until the very end. Their engagement is much appreciated. I was very fortunate to be involved with a tremendous cohort of fellow students who were excited and energized by the prospects of pushing academic as well as personal boundaries through their intellectual efforts. The energy and sheer fun I derived from working with my fellow students sustained me through many difficult moments along the way. From the beginning I looked to Brent Myer as a model academic and teacher. I learned how to make a life in the academy in part from watching him. Brad Wing and Christine Patterson helped me develop a critical eye toward the relations of ruling that I have since found invaluable. David Lind served as my constant sounding board over many delicious beers. Through him I learned the true value of a good conversation partner for academic work. During the last year of writing, Kendra Yoder provided me with enough inspiration to write two dissertations. Thank you, my friend. Together these people formed the ―Culture Group‖ under the guidance of Professor Mary Jo Neitz. Engaging ii with this group of gifted intellects has already brought me a lifetime of joy. I look forward to our future together. Other follow students played an important part in helping me to formulate the ideas presented here. I would especially like to thank the members of the Religion Reading Group again formed under the thoughtful guidance of Professor Mary Jo Neitz: Amy Lane, Lloyd Chia, Deahoon Han, Matt Lammers, Kendra Yoder, and Marley Ramsour. Thank you for reading and commenting on the many drafts I put before you. Elizabeth Marino provided editing for both copy and content. She has saved me from countless errors and omissions. Elizabeth also patiently listened to me work out my, often fuzzy, thoughts and provided wonderfully clear interpretations of what I was saying. Thank you. Finally I wish to thank my advisor and friend Mary Jo Neitz. I make little distinction between my scholarship and my life. To have you in both has made all the difference. The best of the work presented here is due to the many scholars in my life. I, however, must take full credit for the many remaining ambiguities, unanswered questions, and errors contained within. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………………ii LIST OF ILLISTRATIONS……………………………………………………………………..…vii LIST OF TABLES..…………………………………………………………………….…………viii CHAPTERS Chapter One: Introducing Alone/Together as Gendered Worship in the Seeker Church .................................................................................................................. 1 The gender gap in church attendance ............................................................... 4 Evangelical churches and problematic masculinity ........................................... 6 Locating River Chapel ....................................................................................... 9 Weekends at River Chapel: An ethnographic account .................................... 15 Alone/Together as a mode of interaction ......................................................... 19 Alone/Together as a Gendered Form .............................................................. 29 Setting the stage for the unchurched seeker ................................................... 31 Chapter Two: Methods for Moving with the River ............................................... 35 Location and Research Methods ..................................................................... 39 Participant observation .................................................................................... 46 The Worship Journal Project ........................................................................... 49 Interviews ........................................................................................................ 55 Organization of chapters ................................................................................. 61 Chapter Three: Becoming a Stop on the River ................................................ 64 From ―Contemporary Christian‖ to ―River Chapel‖ ........................................... 65 1987-1994 ―Contemporary Christian Church‖ ................................................. 66 iv 1994-1999: The Transition Period ................................................................... 74 1999 ―A Hill to Die On‖ .................................................................................... 88 Chapter Four: The Production of River Chapel Worship .................................... 94 Speaking of the Postmodern ........................................................................... 94 Traditional, Modern, and Postmodern: Touchstones for a discussion on form and content ..................................................................................................... 97 Engaging the postmodern at River Chapel .................................................... 102 Mediating for god and worshiper ................................................................... 109 Creating emotional connections through popular television and film ............. 116 The display of emotion .................................................................................. 121 Lighting the way ............................................................................................ 126 Creating sound connections .......................................................................... 130 Constituting traditional authority for postmodern people ............................... 141 Up/Down/Up: A narrative structure for feeling connected with god ............... 145 Chapter Five: Modes of Connecting in the River .............................................. 148 Creating Core Connections with ―RC Live‖ .................................................... 150 ―The Quite Climax:‖ carving out space to meet god ...................................... 161 Encounters beyond the auditorium ................................................................ 165 Cindy‘s story .................................................................................................. 167 Diane‘s story ................................................................................................. 172 ―Relevance‖ is felt as well as understood ...................................................... 175 Chapter Six: Exploring the Banks of the River .................................................. 193 Assimilation into Leadership at River Chapel ................................................ 202 Meeting the Leadership Class ....................................................................... 207 ―One another‖ vs. ―As you go‖ ...................................................................... 216 Describing River Chapel‘s target audience, goals, and strategy ................... 219 Theology of the River .................................................................................... 222 Politics and reaching the unchurched............................................................ 224 v APPENDIX A. SAMPLE PRODUCTION CUE SHEET....................................................232