Death by Suburb: How to Keep the Suburbs from Killing Your Soul

A great number of seekers find themselves in the seemingly unreal world of the suburbs. They read spirituality books but find themselves in carpools and coaching soccer, not in monasteries. Dave Goetz, a former pastor, shows that the suburbs are a real world, but a spiritually corrosive one. The land of SUVs and soccer leagues can truly be toxic to the soul. Suburbanites need to understand how the environment affects them and what spiritual disciplines are needed for their faith to survive and thrive. Goetz identifies eight toxins in the suburban life, such as hyper–competition and the "transactional" friendship, and suggests eight corresponding disciplines to keep the spiritual life authentic. Goetz weaves sociology studies, his own experiences, current events, wisdom of the spiritual masters, and a little humor to equip spiritual suburbanites for how to relate to God amidst Starbucks, strip–malls, and perfect lawns.

David L. Goetz is a former editor for Leadership Journal, the leading periodical for pastors, and a former pastor. He writes for Christianity Today and was the general editor of The Pastor's Soul series, which was nominated for the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's Gold Medallion Book Award in 2000. He is president of CZ Marketing, a brand and strategy firm serving the nonprofit sector. Goetz lives with his family in Wheaton, Illinois.