Do Hard Times Make People More Religious... or Just Hungrier for Gray's Papaya?

Saturday's New York Times article says "yes" to getting more religious during the recession--at least, if you're evangelical. AR Bernard, pastor of one of NYC's largest churches, goes so far as to say of the recession, "It’s a wonderful time, a great evangelistic opportunity for us."

Ouch. A wonderful time? A great evangelistic opportunity? Responses like that (even though I understand he's talking about the "opportunity" to grow in faith) are one reason why people I respect hate churches--they get so concerned about getting people in the door (or "introduced to Christ") that they lose sight of reality... which is that people are suffering and struggling. I don't care if people ARE coming in droves, at least PRETEND like you're concerned, AR. Don't get quoted in the Times calling human suffering "a wonderful time." Not good.

Then again, maybe my unwillingness to delight in the recession as a windfall for my church is another sad example of why mainline churches are dying--we're not willing enough to capitalize on suffering.

What am I noticing that's new since the recession began?

First, obviously, I see many more people out of work. Job struggles are big in New York. People out of work for 6-12 months or more. And looking for work, but finding nothing. But maybe it's because I meet folks in church (or maybe these out-of-work folks are putting on a good face for the pastor), the people that I speak with are not crushed or beaten down. They seem like they're surviving--doing OK.

Second, I've noticed an uptick in volunteering. I've had more unsolicited requests from people since Thanksgiving looking for a way to "give back" than I can remember in the first four year's I've been a pastor. Our church has seen a great outpouring of donations this holiday season--lots of food, clothing, Christmas presents for kids in shelters, volunteer hours. I don't have empirical data, but it seems like people are looking for ways to be generous. New York Magazine this week observed the same phenomenon: NY Cares says that all of their volunteer opportunities are booked through the end of the year.

On Marketplace last Friday, Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones of Trinity Church Wall Street was a guest, talking about how he's approaching the recession with his congregation. I loved this exchange between Bozzuti-Jones and the host, Kai Ryssdal:

RYSSDAL: A lot of what we've been talking about today, Reverend, is about materialism, and about greed, and about the desire that we have in this country to just have more things -- and this is certainly the season at Christmastime where that plays out in the fullest. How do you deal with that thread in this kind of economy?

BOZZUTI-JONES: Absolutely. You know, it's funny. I was also telling the congregation yesterday, and I said to them: "Think for a minute. Here we are. We live in New York City and most people who live in Manhattan live in very small quarters." You know, we almost live in matchboxes, you know? And I said to them, "Think for a minute. Ninety percent of us do not need one more thing." And so we have to find ways of rediscovering what it means to celebrate the season of light, you know, with Hannukah or, you know, the Christmas season, to find ways of being generous, being with each other. And I am certainly encouraging the congregation, you know, to give yourself. Open up your heart. Be present to someone. Be there. And I also want to remind them that, you know, what we celebrate as a Christian people when we come together around Christmas is really the celebration of a poor, humble family. A child who was helpless, born on the outskirts of society. And who through love from his parents and those around him became a human force to be reckoned with. And so much of our society today resembles that manger. We're stripped down. We've lost a lot. We're worried. We're fearful. But, you know, all is not lost. The light will shine in the darkness. And the best is yet to come.

I heard that exchange two days after I received an email from my wife, and my sisters-in-law inviting our families to exchange gifts to nonprofit organizations this year instead of giving "things." I'm personally giving less "stuff" this year--I'm baking many of my gifts.

So does any of this mean that the recession is making people more religious?

I think so. If evidence of an increase in giving oneself to others isn't enough, most people I know are doing a good bit of soul-searching. Personally, these months have provided a reason to re-affirm the "brass tacks" in life. I am asking myself "what matters to me, really?" "Who matters to me most?" "How can I love best where I am and with what I have right now?"

Times like these invite those questions. And if those aren't "religious" questions, I don't know what a religious question is.

And Oh, by the way: I have yet to eat a Gray's Papaya since the recession began.