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Can churches be a counterculture amidst anonymous neighborhoods and tourist destinations, the apotheoses of individual choice, niche demographics, and marketing? Yes. The church can exist amidst suburban sprawl as easily as in cities or small towns, precisely because its existence is determined by the realities of the age to come—by God's work, rather than by the narrow possibilities of our work in this present age under sin and death. After all, this is our Father's world, even though, for the moment, we are just passing through.

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Related Elsewhere:

Also posted today is:

Inside CT
Better Than a Cigar | Introducing the Christian Vision Project on CT's 50th birthday.

Christianity Today sister publication Books & Culture's first article in the Christian Vision Project is Lauren F. Winner's "Sleep Therapy."

Turning the Mainline Around | New sociological studies show that evangelicals may well succeed at renewing wayward Protestantism. (July 25, 2003)

Patrons of the Evangelical Mind | Why has evangelical scholarship soared in the last few decades? Native intellectual talent is one reason, to be sure. But an infusion of cash didn't hurt. (July 7, 2002)

We're in the Money! | How did evangelicals get so wealthy, and what has it done to us? (June 9, 2000)

The Triumph of the Praise Songs | How guitars beat out the organ in the worship wars. (July 12, 1999)

If Grace Is Irresistible, Why Evangelize? | How can I invite "all" sinners to Christ when the Reformed concept of "irresistible grace" implies that for some to be elect some must be nonelect? (September 6, 1999)

Why Calvin Was a Calvinist | Rediscovering the Geneva Reformer in his long-lost catechism. (June 15, 1998)

The Dissatisfaction of Francis Schaeffer | Thirteen years after his death, Schaeffer's vision and frustrations continue to haunt evangelicalism. (March 3, 1997)

More CVP articles from our sister publications are available on ChristianVisionProject.com. Also check out the Christian Vision Project's new video documentary, Intersect|Culture. The videos take you into the stories of ordinary believers who, by faith, changed their communities. The set includes a DVD with 6 videos and coordinating group curriculum.

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