Church and Community in a Village

Abstract

"WHAT a biologist would call the natural habitat of a Baptist Church is a suburb. A village contrasts with this by being small enough for the illusion that " everyone knows everyone else " to colour thinking, conversation and conduct. Its community is closely interrelated, with natural consequences for both eugenics and diplomacy. It has a comparatively slow turn-over of population, and this often expresses itself in a slow turn-over of ideas. It has a long memory--events, relationships, good influences and rows of ten years ago still affect today's attitudes, prejudices and decisions. Superimposed on this pattern is an urban veneer: education, entertainment and employment are sent from, or sought in, the town. Therefore, on the surface but influential, is a diffused discontent with the village amongst villagers, who nevertheless lack intelligent understanding of the town life which employs, exploits and unsettles them"