7 Challenges for Community-Builders

I realizedthis morning that most people aren't going to rush out and buy Bowling Alone, so I decided to post Robert D. Putnam's 7 spheres that deserves special attention. These are quoted straight from his book;

1. "Let us find ways to ensure that by 2010 the level of civic engagement among Americans then coming of age in all parts of our society will match that of their grandparents when they were that same age, and that at the same time bridging social capital will be substantially greater than it was in their grandparents' era.

2. Let us find ways to ensure that by 2010 America's workplace will be substantially more family-friendly and community-congenial, so that American workers will be enabled to replenish our stocks of social capital both within and outside the workplace.

3. Let us ensure that by 2010 Americans will spend less time traveling and more time connecting with our neighbors than we do today, that we will live in more integrated and pedestrian-friendly areas, and that the design of our communities and the availability of public space will encourage more casual socializing with friends and neighbors.

4. Let us spur a new, pluralistic, socially responsible "great awakening," so that by 2010 Americans will be more deeply engaged than we are today in one or another spiritual community of meaning, while at the same time becoming more tolerant of the faiths and practices of other Americans.

5. Let us find ways to ensure that by 2010 Americans will spend less leisure time sitting passively alone in front of glowing screens and more time in active connection with our fellow citizens. Let us foster new forms of electronic entertainment and communication that reinforce community engagement rather than forestalling it.

6. Let us find ways to ensure that by 2010 significantly more Americans will participate in (not merely consume or "appreciate") cultural activities from group dancing to songfests to community theater to rap festivals. Let us discover new ways to use the arts as a vehicle for convening diverse groups of fellow citizens.

7. Let us find ways to ensure that by 2010 many more Americans will participate in the public life of our communities - running for office, attending public meetings, serving on committees, campaigning in elections, and even voting."

That's all of it. I was really just wanting to throw that out there so you could have an idea of what he is pushing for. You can go to the "Better Together" link on this site for more info.

Peace,
Matt

Currently Rereading: Beyond Foundationalism by Stan Grenz and John Franke. Probably one of, if not the, most important theological reflections written in the past decade (Volf and Hauerwas are up there too...).