An extended review of a 2024 book by Ross A. Lockhart
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McGill-Queen’s, 2024. 204 pages. $35 (ebook $20)
The author of this book could not be, I suppose, farther apart from me, its reviewer, geographically. Lockhart is professor of mission studies at Vancouver School of Theology, while I live on the country’s East Coast. Presbyterian Lockhart moved to the West Coast to escape the cold and snow, while this Pentecostal remains on Newfoundland and Labrador’s rocky coast where I valiantly endure the cold and snow.
Vancouver now reports “no religion” as its leading religious identity. In Newfoundland and Labrador, as of 2021 the largest religious group was Roman Catholic followed by Anglican, although we also had a notable 16% reporting no religion. While Christianity has deep roots, my province is seeing increasing religious diversity with more newcomers settling in.
Many judge Vancouver to be in the vanguard of a secularizing trend occurring across North America. If so, it’s natural to ask, What might Christian witness look like in years to come in a more secularized North America? Where is Christianity headed in our society? By studying the Vancouver church scene, Lockhart hopes to answer such questions.
His book paints an urban ethnographic profile of Christianity’s identity, meaning and mission in secular Vancouver. Ethnographic theology uses the systematic study of people and cultures to inform and shape theological reflection. Lockhart’s triple focus is on mission, theology and spirituality, and culture.
He draws on a five-year study of 14 of Vancouver’s Christian communities, including church plants, congregations and parachurch agencies. These are Artisan Church (nondenominational), Cathedral of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, First Christian Reformed, Jacob’s Well (nondenominational), Kitsilano Christian Community (Baptist CBWC), Oakridge United, Pacific Grace Mennonite Brethren, Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries (nondenominational agency), St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Orthodox, St. Paul’s Anglican (ACC), St. Peter’s Fireside (Anglican ACNA), Tapestry Church-Marpole (Christian Reformed), Tenth Church-Kitsilano (The Alliance) and Vancouver Chinese Presbyterian Church.
Lockhart is intent on addressing how Christians are organizing communities, forming beliefs and expressing faith in a mainly secular context – all building blocks in reaching an urban missiological understanding of Vancouver.
He makes seven significant observations from the research. (1) Befriending a “spiritual but not religious” culture. (2) Affordable housing as a missional connection. (3) Discerning models of Christian witness. (4) Good news in light of troubling colonial history. (5) The changing face of Christianity in Vancouver. (6) Scarce sacred space. And (7) ecology and theology.
How does the research embodied in this important book connect with and contribute to a missional theology that comes to grip with Christian faith in a post-Christendom context?
Sharing the Gospel is difficult when one recalls colonial mission history, whether in Vancouver or my home province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Identifying Christianity with the West, especially the actions of the colonizers and their missionaries, is counterproductive. A firm barrier is raised between Canada’s churches and First Nations. Much research is needed to dismantle this barrier.
In the final chapter of the book, Lockhart tentatively offers proposals for the wider question of urban witness through a missional lens.
“Therefore,” he concludes, “while Vancouver, with its soaring mountains, old-growth forest, and ocean waves, remains a ‘super, natural’ place for most residents, for those who claim their identity in baptismal waters with Jesus, the city remains both a place of God’s revelation and a context for God’s ongoing mission in a world in need, as ever, of reconciliation, hope, and peace.”
This excellent resource left me, and likely will leave all its readers considering, What parallels exist between Vancouver and religion in my home province? The issue is relevant even to areas like mine where religion continues to influence social and political dynamics.
West Coast Mission may be academically inclined, but a careful reading of this sensitive work can pay rich dividends in guiding those who wish to know how to minister effectively in a world where Christianity is no longer in majority status. Faith communities and their leaders will find good food for thought relevant to their mission now and for a long time to come.
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