|
Book, Rust to Renewal,
explores religious attitudes toward deindustrialization
(YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio.) -- Thirty
years after the historic shutdown at the Youngstown Sheet
and Tube Campbell Works and the unprecedented religious
response of the Ecumenical Coalition that followed, the
religious community of Youngstown, Ohio are still concerned
about the city's socio-economic future.
Not unlike
other rustbelt cities, Youngstown, Ohio faces many
socio-economic challenges in an age of globalization and
deindustrialization. A young
sociologist-theologian has researched the attitudes of
clergy in the Youngstown area toward the problems faced by
the realities of corporate downsizing and diminishing
manufacturing labor. Dr. Joshua Reichard completed the
research as part of his doctoral dissertation in hopes that
the results will lead to positive socio-economic change.
Reichard stated that "the
research presented in Rust to Renewal provides a platform
for dialog between historically polarized religious
communities. The research indicated that not all
national stereotypes apply to the Youngstown clergy.
There is a shared interest in justice for workers affected
by downsizing and the socio-economic consequences that
follow". As the Mahoning Valley faces new challenges
with uncertainty at General Motors Lordstown and Delphi
Corporation, the research may help religious communities
respond to the economic needs of the families they serve.
"There is hope for the future of Youngstown and the clergy
are forward-thinking", Reichard added.
Rust to Renewal is guided by theory based on the work
of futurist Alvin Toffler and the "wave" model of
socioeconomic change. Through this lens, the author
explores the history of Youngstown's economy and religious
communities. Drawing parallels between religious attitudes
and economic trends, the author presents a model by which
Youngstown's current economic crises can be both religiously
and economically evaluated.
The research in the book assessed six basic theological
attitudes among a sample of Youngstown's clergy: justice vs.
charity, community vs. individuality, and activism vs.
piety. Each attitude was analyzed according to its
implication for the leadership of the clergy in Youngstown's
economic and social recovery.
The research found that while right-wing and left-wing,
evangelical and mainline divisions are characteristic of
American Christianity as a whole, some of the common values
that will bring renewal to Youngstown are mutually shared by
the clergy of the Mahoning Valley. Reichard noted that
"there is room for all churches in Youngstown to
work together to bring genuine change to the city and
region".
The book concludes with a presentation of an alternative ideology known as "transformationalism",
challenging the churches in Youngstown to learn from one
another and appreciate the diversity that exists. The
transformationalist approach to social change requires that
religious leaders and adherents "be" rather than "do" as they strive to make
Youngstown a better place to live and work.
Rust to Renewal will be available for sale at the Catholic
Diocese of Youngstown in Youngstown (330-744-8451)
and the Victory
Christian Center Bookstore (330-536-2280)
beginning November 16.
More information is available online at
www.rusttorenewal.com. |
PDF
