A tale of two churches: Mars Hill vs. University Baptist
The booming Mars Hill Church recently bought University Baptist's building for $2.5 million, underscoring a surprising trend away from liberal congregations in Seattle.
Joe Mabel/Wikimedia Commons
For area church-watchers, the recent news that the Ballard-based Mars Hill Church has purchased the University Baptist Church building may not be surprising, but it is noteworthy, even striking. The tale of these two churches — the decline of one and the ascent of the other — tells a story of larger shifts in the Northwest.
University Baptist Church, near the University of Washington, had long been a standard bearer for progressive religion and social-activist politics. In the 1980s and 1990s, University Baptist was led by Donovan Cook. A charismatic minister, Cook often could be found in the forefront of demonstrations and protests against wars and for social equality. But Cook’s pastorate ended badly. He was charged with having been involved in a string of sexual affairs, some with members of the congregation.
Cook was followed by Tim Phillips, now senior minister at First Baptist Church, just east of downtown on First Hill. The University congregation, under Phillips' leadership, tried to find its way forward. But it was relatively small, had already eroded, and had aged. Questions about its future and its capacity to support its current building loomed large as the '90s ended and the first decade of the new century passed.
Meanwhile, in the 1990s Mark Driscoll was creating Mars Hill Church in the basement of First Presbyterian Church, adjacent to Interstate-5 just east of downtown Seattle. From the beginning, Driscoll has been driven by a concern for reaching marginalized and floundering young men to change their lives. He connected with this group, in part, because of his own often raw personal style. At the time, he became known in Emergent Church circles as “the cussing pastor.”
The “Mars Hill” name is further evidence of a confrontational spirit. In the New Testament book of “Acts,” Mars Hill is the setting where the first-generation Christian leader and missionary, Paul, took on the philosophers of Athens and the religious world of the ancient Greeks. As a name, “Mars Hill” signals a willingness to challenge the prevailing ethos, something Driscoll thrives on.
The effort to reach and transform the lives of aimless young men has continued for Driscoll, whose Mars Hill Church looks to the University location as its 10th “campus.” For a least a year, Mars Hill has been holding services in a rented Kane Hall on the UW campus to establish a beachhead at the university.
Meanwhile, University Baptist embodied a quite different spirit and ethos. It was a spirit that was at home with the modern and tolerant ethos associated with a university. Again, the name, University Baptist Church, is in its way telling. Rather than an oppositional name like “Mars Hill,” this congregation — like most founded in the same era and location — embraced its neighborhood and sought to fit in to the university setting. In that spirit, it increasingly emphasized social justice, changing social structures, and society itself, rather than personal change or regeneration.
As some sort of barometer of religion’s changing role, these two churches evidence a shift. Once, in the not too distant past, Protestant Christianity was the religious expression of the prevailing culture and its values. Increasingly, it seems that Christianity, at least in its currently thriving expressions like Mars Hill, plays a more oppositional role in relation to the prevailing culture and its values.
What will happen with the remaining congregation of University Baptist remains to be seen. In June the congregation called a new pastor. There have been discussions between that congregation and nearby University Disciples Church. The latter has a large neo-gothic home on the corner of 15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 50th Street. That congregation, too, is small and aging. It already rents out substantial portions of its building to support various community programs and gain revenue.
If there is a congregation in the University District that might see Mars Hill as competition, if not exactly a threat, then it might be University Presbyterian Church. UPC has long been the largest church in the district (between 2,000 and 3,000 members), with a significant presence among UW students. UPC also has tended to be more theologically conservative than other university area churches and thus closer to Mars Hill in that respect.
Mars Hill’s acquisition of University Baptist, for $2.5 million, would seem to confirm the recent research of UW Professor James Wellman, in "Evangelical vs. Liberal: The Clash of Culture in the Pacific Northwest." Among other things, Wellman argued that the common characterization of the Northwest as secular or churchless may not be accurate.
In his study, Wellman found that innovative and entrepreneurial evangelical churches, of which Mars Hill is certainly a leading example, were thriving in the Northwest. It was the more liberal churches that faced the toughest challenges and were struggling here. As Wellman comments, it seems paradoxical that liberal churches would struggle, given the generally liberal ethos of Seattle.
It may be that relatively comfortable liberals, so long dominant in Seattle, simply feel little need for religion. Meanwhile, the people Mars Hill is reaching may have experienced more of the rough edges of contemporary society and are receptive to a different direction.
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Comments:
Posted Tue, Aug 17, 8:19 a.m. Inappropriate
Tony, as always a well-written and thoughtful piece. The sale of U-Baptist is sad news for all who hope for vitality in progressive congregations.
I'm not sure I agree that U-Baptist is riding the tide that was friendly to contemporary culture, or for that matter that Mars Hill is oppositional to culture. U-Baptist's worship services feature pretty traditional music -- something not particularly appealing to today's culture. A normal Sunday morning finds organ music, choir, traditional hymns, etc. Mars Hill's music, though often consisting of classic hymns, is always set to a contemporary beat with guitars, drums, etc. A person walking into U-Baptist from contemporary culture would find it obstinate in its conservatism, while the same person walking into Mars Hill would recognize the look and feel as homey.
Likewise the theological positioning of the congregations puts Mars Hill in a much safer, less oppositional place than U-Baptist. Mars Hill's theological positioning gives it a rich context of resources ranging from Christian radio to Glenn Beck to Fox News. Its message of Biblical literalism and male dominance resonate throughout conservative American culture. The conservative reading of scripture also requires less of the reader. U-Baptist, and indeed all liberal churches, has no such cultural support. When was the last time anyone listened to a liberal Christian radio personality talk about radical hospitality?
The "Mars Hill" portion of the Book of Acts might best be thought of as a moment of Christian accommodation, I think. St. Paul arrived in Athens, saw the shrine to an "unknown God," took a place at the Areopagus to preach, and announced that he was naming the Greeks' unknown God. He then quoted a Greek philosopher and throughout his famous speech tried to place Jesus within the context of the Greek thought of his day. Driscoll's message is likewise one of accommodation to local culture, speaking contemporary American culture in order to proclaim what he believes is Jesus' message.
I fear the true message of this property sale is a warning to local progressive congregations: Speak to the culture or die. The days of pipe organs and traditional worship in Seattle are behind us. Blessed be the progressive congregation that can speak with a modern voice. You shall keep your property.
Posted Tue, Aug 17, 8:29 a.m. Inappropriate
Churches where the focal point is progessive, social activism are doomed to failure. They are simply man-centered. Such Christless Christianity will always come up short.
Only the preaching of Christ -- crucified, buried, raised from the dead -- who bore the just and wrathful punishment we deserve, will continue through the ages, offering eternal hope and not short-term fixes.
Posted Tue, Aug 17, 9:25 a.m. Inappropriate
Sorry, RevSandy, but what you advocate is exactly what's driving the next generation away from mainline Protestantism. I'm relatively liberal, Lutheran, a P.K. And what I want -- NEED -- is a congregation that's theologically open-minded but liturgically conservative. The electric guitars and bongo drums make Sundays painful for me. I want Bach, Melanchior and a traditional benediction.
Baby Boomer clergy have to stop enforcing their Rock 'n' Roll Sundays on us. We Gen Xers and Yers want to enter a space of music and ritual that's dignified and sublime. Tambourines and electric guitars have their place in life -- on Saturday night. Sundays should be better than that.
Posted Tue, Aug 17, 9:26 a.m. Inappropriate
I mean, Melchior. Sigh... it's already fading away.
Posted Tue, Aug 17, 10:46 a.m. Inappropriate
It is interesting that so much of religious discussion is on how to make (or hold on to) money and property. Mars hill and their ilk are blatant, money making businesses--tax free I might add. Liberal churches seem to be losing ground since the liberal, well educated populous are "graduating" from religion ad moving on to free thinking, rational thought and politics.
Also interesting is that religion seems to want to dictate when and what type of music we should be listening to. Rational, free thinking people--alone or in groups--listen to their preferred music when and where they want.
Posted Tue, Aug 17, 10:54 a.m. Inappropriate
Dear Tony,
Thank for your thoughtful article. As a former member of the University Baptist Church congregation, I have always appreciated its progressive and prophetic ministry. In particular, its courageous leadership in providing sanctuary for Central American refugees, stands out in my mind as laudatory. At a time when the criteria for the health of congregations are the size of its membership, it is reassuring that churches that take unpopular positions against social injustice draw members, even those from a different ecumenical or interfaith tradition. I recognize this is a contentious issue, but thought I'd weigh in anyway.
A former member
Posted Tue, Aug 17, 12:22 p.m. Inappropriate
Dear all,
Contrary to what some people have said, both in news articles and comments, University Baptist Church in Seattle is not "dwindling", "dying", or "waning". Yes, like many mainline protestant churches, UBC had a period of growth and a moment of decline in past decades. Right now, UBC is growing, thanks in part to the bold decision to sell a building that was not helping use our material possessions in a way that is consistent with our mission to proclaim the Gospel of truth, love, and reconciliation. Our congregation has moved, but the mission is the same: to proclaim God's love for the world and for all of creation. We are in no way arguing with, fighting with, or dismissing the work of Mars Hill and their message. Our congregations are theologically different, but at least on our part, we recognize all of God's children as sisters and brothers, including those whose theologies are different from ours.
For now, we invite all to visit our new sanctuary at 4731 15th Ave NE, and join us for worship at 10:00 am every Sunday.
Peace and blessings,
Rev. J. Manny Santiago
Pastor - University Baptist Church
Posted Tue, Aug 17, 12:26 p.m. Inappropriate
The unfortunate reality of fear and misplaced certainty that pervades Western conservative evangelicalism speaks to why Mars Hill gains members as much as anything. Finding ways to engage the culture today with a critical reading of what biblical texts may say about the challenges on life on this small marble will continue to be an obstacle liberal churches must overcome. Its much easier if folks like Driscoll give solid answers based on fear of an angry God, forced to punish his son/self because of some great eternal conflict of justice vs grace. Can we find a way to find compassion and justice if there is no final judge/jury in eternity....that might be the question. Hopefully U Baptist's congregation finds a new place to call home and finds a prophetic voice that is heard in the Seattle area moving forward.
Posted Tue, Aug 17, 1:02 p.m. Inappropriate
Thank you for your post. My perspective on the Mars Hill type church vs. mainline liberal church debate is a bit different. A lot of folks who consider themselves liberal Christians look immediately at the differences of the churches as conservative vs. liberal...theologically, socially, and politically, or as traditional vs. (insert latest style here). However, as a bed-wetting, screamingly liberal person under the age of 35, I don't see that these differences really account for the vast difference in what we are looking at as "success" or "failure".
As a member of a struggling liberal mainline church myself, I have been struck by the way that churches that pride themselves on being liberal have tended to make their churches about just that...being liberal. While that might be a truly radical stance in say...Alabama, in a place like Seattle, that has amounted to little more than civil religion. In fact, liberal culture has infiltrated the church to the extent that, at my church in particular, you are considered to be a conservative and a little more than suspect if you show up with a Bible on Sunday morning.
I also work in the field of religion and get to visit many congregations throughout the Pacific Northwest. Almost all of those churches are mainline churches. The common denominator that I've found, especially among the liberal ones, is the removal of life-changing faith and, put in its place, a faith in individual belief that doesn't threaten. In other words, if I believe the right things or take the right stances on issues, then that is my faith. What I see in my friends who attend churches like Mars Hill are people who, both liberal and conservative, don't have a faith in belief, but rather have a faith in something Other that demands life change.
I firmly believe that people are hungry, not for right belief, but for an experience of God. As long as liberal churches continue to offer an experience of church instead of an experience of God, they will continue to decline and die. As long as churches like Mars Hill, regardless of their theological, social, or political bent, offer people the opportunity to worship a God that changes things...that makes a difference...that is personal and real, they will continue to thrive.
You used the word "confrontational". When I read my Bible, every single person who had a contact with God was immediately changed. Life change is confrontational. Most of our liberal churches, in my opinion, have worked hard to remove that confrontation. In doing so, they've removed God. The decline of mainline liberal churches has nothing to do with style. It has more to do with, as the Spirit says to the church in Ephesus, forgetting their first love. (Rev. 2:1-7)
Posted Wed, Aug 18, 10:17 p.m. Inappropriate
To Andy: I'm not sure what you mean by "Rational, free thinking people--alone or in groups--listen to their preferred music when and where they want." Preference (especially music preference) is not rational, but subjective and emotional, so I'm not sure what's rational here. Surely a mosh-pit (do they still exist?) is not a "rational" choice, nor is the anger of some hip-hop, or the sexuality of some jazz and rock. Sounds more like a market theory of rationality, namely, rationality is doing what you want, choosing what's been dished up to you by the current culture or what you grew up with in your hormonal teens. Not exactly what religious and theological thinking uses in its arguments.
To Will: I'm not sure what Christians mean by "change" and "life change"--from what to what? It seems to me, and I really don't mean this sarcastically, that if you confronted God, you wouldn't spend your time contributing to Crosscut (not that there's anything wrong with that). This also strikes me as somewhat market-oriented, namely, the message that "There's something wrong with you that must be changed (not young enough, not happy enough, not successful enough), and "we" have the solution: buy our product, our message, our ideology. By implication I agree with you that the problem is that religions have been swept up in the "logic" of selling something, using Andy's version of rationality--what feels good to you must be right and rational.
The heavens help us.
Posted Mon, Aug 23, 10:44 p.m. Inappropriate
It's interesting as a member of a theologically liberal congregation--Reform Jewish, but I assume that non-Christians are welcome here also, since we're talking about religion--that liberal churches are being characterized as being essentially religiously weak. Several commenters have given me the impression that they feel that "mainline" Christian churches (non-Mars-Hill, I guess) aren't delivering life-changing theology, and that social justice isn't actually a religious issue. The Hebrew prophets were pretty much in favor of social justice, and they're generally not generally considered to be wimps, nor are Christians, Jews, or any other religionists wimps when they speak of social justice within their congregational buildings or outside in their personal lives. You needn't go through "life change" every day; a little attention to what your religion actually teaches is sufficient.
Posted Mon, Aug 23, 10:46 p.m. Inappropriate
And if I could do a little proofing to that post above, I would, but I can't.
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