Darnestown Church Leader Tackles Christianity's Challenges In New Book

Fourteen years ago, Reverend Ken Howard re-established St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Darnestown after the first version of the church -- as members call it -- failed following congregant disagreements.

Since then, Howard said he has worked with new and old members to create an inclusive environment, and taught members to find connections amidst conflict.

Howard has expounded on these ideas in his newly released book, Paradoxy: Creating Christian Community Beyond Us and Them, which he said he hopes will guide other church leaders battling with these same challenges.

On Sunday, St. Nicholas celebrated the new book with a book launch and signing event. From 2-4 p.m., there were toasts of congratulations and a short presentation from Howard on the book.

"Conflict is not a bad thing. Struggling with ourselves and with God brings us closer to God," Howard told the crowd.

Howard said the Christian church is becoming divided between conservative and liberal, and common belief is that conservative churches are growing while liberals are being pushed out.

But, Howard said, "The story is not as simple as we would like to portray it."

In Paradoxy, Howard argues Christianity is undergoing a major change. He looks at both the history of the Christian church and its current state, and asks what role the church will take in the future.

Many members of St. Nicholas and surrounding churches attend the event, Sunday.

Mary Miers, a Bethesda resident who attends St. James Episcopal Church in Potomac, said she came because she has known many members of the church and is interested in Howard's ideas.

"The character of Christianity and its place in society has to change," said Miers. "I'm very interested to see especially how young people and their relation to the church will change."

Several pointed out how their own experiences at St. Nicholas were reflected in the book.

Mindy McCartin, a member of the church for 2 years, said the church's value is in its diversity.

"It's a wonderfully welcome and open place," said McCartin. "It's very tuned into getting feedback from people of different backgrounds and it has a very youthful focus."

Barbara Miles, who has been at the church since its founding, agreed.

"There are no tests for entrance here," said Miles. She said the church was built with the challenge of bringing different people together.

"We have people who are politically opposites, from a self-defined 'raging fundamentalist' to people who are so liberal we're not even sure if they're Christian anymore."

Charlotte Rogers, a warden in the church, said Howard came to the diverse members of the church for help with the book.

"He gathered people to discuss each issue or chapter," said Rogers. "To see how the general public would react."

There were many rounds of toasts from friends and church members throughout the afternoon.

Longtime church member Frank Andrews toasted Howard, citing the church motto: "A place to belong, a place to become."

"For 16 years I've been here and often I admit to theological confusion. The book did a wonderful job of making that okay," Andrews said.

In his presentation, Howard said that recognition of disagreement will help to bring Christianity into its next phase.

"We can resist our tendency of demonizing those who we disagree with us," Howard said in his presentation. "We can respond to the changes around us with less anxiety, and we can realize other people are struggling with the same things we are."

Each chapter of the book is followed by questions and suggestions for group discussion.

"He wanted people to be able to read it and grapple," Rogers said. "You can't read this without grappling."

Stay tuned  for a Q&A with the author, Rev. Ken Howard, later this week.