Americans believe in God. With upwards of 94 percent of us believing in God, we are among the most “god-fearing” nations on earth. We pledge allegiance to “one nation under God,” sing “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch, and our presidents offer us divine blessings.

This religiosity, however, is only part of the story. Our beliefs differ from our practice. While Lompoc has plenty of churches - Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox (with a few that are less than orthodox), along with a small number of non-Christian religious groups - the religious temperature of Lompoc is a bit tepid.

Like many West Coast communities, Lompoc is marked as much by its religious non-involvement as by its involvement. According to one demographic study, 66 percent of religious people prefer a “historic Christian” tradition, but 23 percent state “no religious affiliation preference.” More telling is the 46 percent who claim no faith involvement at all. They may be religious, but they aren't involved.

What do these statistics mean? Maybe it's an occupational hazard, but I find these numbers intriguing. I wonder about the stories the lie behind the numbers. Why is it that so many Lompocans abstain from religious involvement? While there may be a few atheists and agnostics in this group, I doubt they number anywhere near 50 percent. The studies say that “overall faith receptivity” in Lompoc is “very low,” which suggests that my job of growing a church in Lompoc is exceedingly difficult. With this vast ocean of non-attendees living in this community, I finding myself asking, how do I get my message out? Respondents say they want a “very contemporary style,” but I'm not sure what that means. While locals prefer a more recreational format to their religious programming, I'm not sure I'm ready to build a gym or soccer field just yet. Interestingly enough, Lompoc isn't that different from the rest of America in its stated preferences about religious involvement. We believe, but we don't necessarily practice.

I realize the commuter culture of our community plays a significant role in the high levels of religious non-involvement. There are, after all, only so many hours in a week. There are also a growing number of those who call themselves “spiritual, but not religious.” What this means is that many people aren't finding spiritual sustenance in institutional religion, and so they seek it in forms that are non-dogmatic, nonauthoritarian, and non-institutional. These forms of spirituality are easily informed by a quick trip to the library or the local bookstore's self-help section. While church-growth experts tell us that “high-demand” congregations thrive, they also tell us to keep the religious symbolism and language to a minimum. Sermons should be practical, not theological. And yet, the seemingly “no-demand” forms of religion are doing even better than the “high demand” ones.

As I consider the message the community expects of me, I wonder why the messages proclaimed by institutional religion no longer resonate with such a large portion of the community. As I listen to the religious voices that emanate from the community (mine included), something that may be surprising emerges. The religious voice is not as monolithic as we might think. The larger churches in the community tend to be conservative, but there are other voices, Christian and non-Christian, moderate and liberal. There are small Jewish, Muslim, and Bahai communities whose voices are often quiet and discreet, and I know that there are others who dance under the radar.

I offer this series of statistics and questions in the hope that they will stir up a conversation about the role of religion in Lompoc. Talk, though, is not enough, because actions speak louder than words. Therefore, I would invite the community to find projects that will link us together across the supposed divides of dogma and belief and maybe even the lack of belief.

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To the various religious communities, I'd like to suggest that a first step might be the advocacy for an interfaith sacred space or chapel to be built into the new hospital. As a second project, I would suggest the creation of interfaith opportunities to share in prayer and study. An interfaith community Seder could be planned with the Jewish community in April. Then, next Thanksgiving, we could hold a truly interfaith community Thanksgiving service. If we start talking together, we will discover that the possibilities for working together are endless and the benefits bounteous.

Dr. Bob Cornwall is pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Lompoc (lompocdisciples.org). He can be contacted at lompocdisciples@impulse.net or at First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1056, Lompoc, CA 93438.

January 8, 2006