Firsthand experience

Thorough research is the foundation of a book. There is no shortcut, and writers must show their work. Bibliographies and endnotes indicate whether the author has read widely and has solid grounding for his or her assertions. But there are limits to what you can learn through library/archival research. There is a danger of seeing people and groups as abstractions. I felt it was essential to attend church services in person and talk to people about their experiences. So once I was fully vaccinated in May 2020, I was ready to see some of these churches for myself.

I decided to go the services at least 30 minutes before they started to allow me time to look around and talk to people. I thought a lot about how I should present myself. I dressed casually and carried a Bible and a notebook. I went as interested first-timer rather than as an author. I wanted to hear people tell their stories rather than tell my own and risk them freezing up. I did not quote or name anyone I talked to or directly reference any of their stories in the book.

There are many evangelical churches in San Diego County, so the challenge was narrowing down the list. I attended a church that was a former bar/billiards hall, a Southern Baptist megachurch, a congregation that met in a hotel ballroom, an independent megachurch, a Pentecostal church, and a prosperity gospel-flavored church. I also went to services at two churches I studied in-depth for a chapter in the book: Saddleback in Lake Forest and Willow Creek in suburban Chicago. In all, I attended services at nine churches plus a Franklin Graham rally in San Bernardino.

I’ll write in greater detail about some of my specific experiences in future posts, but for now I’ll reflect on my general feelings. I talked with dozens of people and had brief encounters with dozens more, and nearly all of my interactions were positive. Every church has a welcome desk staffed with friendly, knowledgeable people. They gave away books, T-shirts, water bottles, pens, and stickers. They were proud to show off their campuses — the sanctuary’s video screens and sound system, the Starbucks-style coffee bars, the gymnasiums, the playgrounds. When I asked why they go to the church, nearly everyone said “because of the sense of community.” People yearn for connections in an often-isolated world, and these churches are seven-day-a-week kinds of places where everyone is expected to play a role, whether it’s as a parking lot attendant, greeter, or teacher. It made me understand better why many evangelical churches were so resistant to COVID-19 lockdowns.

The churches reflected the diversity of evangelicalism, but there were some similarities in worship styles. Most services began with high-energy bands that belted out contemporary songs with lyrics and imagery projected on large screens. The higher-end churches had plush seating and lighting and sound systems that were as good as any major concert venue. Then a casually dressed pastor strolled on the stage and related a practical message. They referenced Bible verses as fluently as pop culture and sports references. Some showed funny videos about being a dad, another had a band play songs from a summer road trip playlist. They all made an effort to be entertaining and relevant. And yes, there were references to tithing — the expectation that people donate 10 percent of their income to the church — and how easily they could contribute by downloading an app.

Visiting the churches added nuance to my thinking and writing. Journalists are taught to check your biases and challenge your assumptions, and I tried hard to do that. I have thought, though, that I had a much easier path moving through those spaces because I’m a Christian white man in my 40s. If I was agnostic, or gay, or black, or a woman, I would have likely been perceived differently and certainly would have received the messages in a different way. A few of the services were racially diverse, but mostly they were white. All of the teaching pastors were men. And even from my perspective, some of what I heard was troubling. More on that later.