Reflections: Chapter 2 - Barker

Raymond William’s idea of culture can help my church as they continue define their own ‘church’ culture. “For Williams, culture as everyday meanings and values is part of an expressive totality of social relations.” (Pg. 45) He understood culture as ‘a whole way of life’. Today, the ‘Christian culture’ is seems to be confined/performed on specific days (Sundays, Wednesdays), ceremonies (Communion, Baptisms), and activities (Small groups, missions). We almost turn 'on' our ‘Christian culture’ and shut it off, when it should be a way of life, everyday, every second. So when our church leaders plan programs or strategize about creating a culture, they need to keep in mind culture as ‘ a whole way of life’.