Robert Putman of Harvard, author of Bowling Alone, observes that America was experiencing a decline in “social capital.”  By “social capital” he means the tangible and intangible benefits of community involvement.  The fabric of interconnected and sense of mutual responsibility is on the decline.   

This is to be regretted, he says, because there are many benefits to maintaining healthy social capital.  Studies indicate that people who are connected with other people live longer and are healthier.  In an interview conducted by Christian Century in February of last year he notes: schools are better, crime rate is lower, economic growth rate is higher. 

This drop in social capital began in the late ‘60’s and early 70’s and escalated in the ‘80’s.  Others have made references to the “me” generation and advertisers have taken advantage by appealing to our “right” to have this or that product or our need to have the latest model in order to be happy.  I suspect all of us have heard enough about the “meism” of our culture.  Studies show that a drop of 40-50% in membership in all sorts of organizations has occurred.  Groups such as the PTA, the Elks Club, the Kiwanis Club, the NAACP, and others all have experienced a decline.   

At the recent conference I attended, it was reported that all denominations are experiencing a decline in membership except one.  That is Vineyard.  All others are losing members.  We Presbyterians are not alone.  Individual churches may be experiencing  growth,  but most of that is simply a shift in membership, not real growth.  People are not as loyal to their faith community and find it easier to relocate when desires or need arises. 

Additional evidence of the loss of social capital is seen in that attendance at volunteer meetings is down, philanthropy is down.  And studies even indicate that there is a 60% decline in the number of picnics that are taken and families are eating together less frequently over the last twenty-five years.   

The reasons for all of this are many.  But four stand out.  Number one of course is TV.  While it may keep us more informed of events around the world, it has also isolated us from our neighbors and friends. The average American family watches TV four hours a day.  

People are watching “Friends” on TV rather than having friends.  The second factor is the rise in two-career families.  Men have not picked up the community building slack that women have had to give up as their careers develop.  A third factor in our decline of social capital has been urban sprawl.  The more time used commuting robs time for community.  By the time we get home we don’t feel like going out again.  We experience that in this congregation.  It is hard to plan any church wide activity during the week because of the distance most of us drive to get here.  And this doesn’t even take in to account our busy schedules.  And finally, cultural value shifts from valuing community to valuing self-interests.  This characteristic stood out in the difference in the sense of spirituality I experienced in Africa over against the U.S.  If there were a death in Africa, it was just expected  that  a  member  of  the  congregation  would drop whatever they were doing and would go spend a week or two living with the one in mourning.  It was simply part of who they were.  We would find that impossible for most of us to do today and certainly is not expected of any of us.   

Putman notes that the decline of social capital has both effected and been effected by religion in the U.S.  He notes that about ½ of all social capital is religious; about ½ of all philanthropy is religious; about ½ of all group membership is religious, and about ½ of all volunteering is religious.  

The prophet Micah could be addressing his words to our culture when he states the Lord has a controversy with the people….  He goes on to say in essence – after all I have done for you, look where your values are.  Do you have any clue what God views as wholesome living?  And then the verse that this congregation knows by heart and by singing: What does the Lord require of you: but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.   

Micah says that God has told us what is good.  But some times we don’t get the picture.  Even when it is spelled out for us in verse and song, we enjoy the music but miss the beat.  Then God comes to us in person and declares once again in the life and words of Jesus what it is that God values. 

William Sloane Coffin invites us to join Micah as he offers the following prayer:  “Because we love the world, we pray now, O God, for grace to quarrel with it.  O, Thou whose lover’s quarrel with the world is the history of the world…. Lord,  grant  us grace to quarrel with the worship of success and power… to quarrel with all that profanes and trivializes (people) and separates them… number us, we beseech Thee, in the ranks of those who went forth from this place longing only for those things for which Thou dost make us long, (those) for whom the complexity of the issues only served to renew their zeal to deal with them, (those) who alleviated pain by sharing it, and (those) who were always willing to risk something big for something good…  O God, take our minds and think through them, take our lips and speak through them.  Take our hearts and set them on fire.”  (Christian Century,  January 25, 2005 p. 18).   

This prayer could be just so much pious optimism if it were not for the look that Jesus gives us in the Sermon on The Mount.  Jesus gives us a fresh view of what God sees.  The beatitudes are not “how to” gain God’s favor.  Rather they are a statement or reflection on the nature of those who ARE RECEIVING God’s grace!  It is not an exhortation – ‘be poor in spirit”- but a fact – those who are poor in spirit are blessed by God.   

What a different view of community!  These blessings completely reverse the values of most society.  This is why Paul indicates that he is willing to be seen as a fool for Christ’s sake.  Jesus was describing not life as usual, but a radical new way of viewing what life was all about.  As we look at each other here this morning, don’t we see blessed people!  Yes, look around, see the “beloved community.”  Jesus pointed out the blessed people sitting around him on the mountainside.  I can just see him pointing at this person and that one over there.   And we don’t have to look beyond ourselves either.   Be  honest.   Aren’t  you  blessed?   You  know when you are in sync with God’s values.  And you know those things that throw roadblocks in the way of receiving God’s grace. 

I believe a powerful antidote to the decline of social capital in our communities lies right here in the beatitudes.  As we claim our blessedness, we rekindle a connectedness that will bring about healthy and wholesome communities.  No, I’m not talking about bringing back the good ole days, but being the kind of people William Coffin Sloane prayed we would be - those who went forth from this place longing only for those things for which thou dost make us long.

Blessed are you…and you… and you…and you!