Because I am an American who has lived in Europe I will say this difference between the culture’s relationship to church. The biggest difference is reverence for history. In America we have very little history. The little history that we have we tend to count it as irreverent, unless we can turn it into a museum and make some money off it. When an American goes to Europe typically history’s presence in the buildings is confusing. If America had buildings that historic and grand we wouldn’t continue to use them. The fact that many churches still meet in very old buildings is strange. Sure they will also allow tourist, but they will continue to have services, even if it is only a few regular members. Also, we tend to be afraid of the history. Many times Americans will come back from Europe and they will recall the Black Plague or some other terrible event and point out that they were too busy building to help out. Which, of course, is silly. It is a way for them to justify the absence of these great works of art, works of worship.

The lack of history has a great spiritual impact as well. Because we lose the history and somewhat reject it, Americans lose the acceptance of ones roots. This gives them the impression that they are the first to do anything and a very individualistic ignorance.

I just reread your post and I don’t think my comment answered your question. I don’t know if Americans look to Europeans to see how Church functions in a postmodern setting, because on a whole I think Americans are trying to push postmodernism to the future. They would rather it wait, or they can be too embracing of it. Which makes sense with my favorite definition of post-modernism (given to me by Chris of TNC), “if there is anything we can say about postmodern culture, it is that it is an age of over-correction.” I find this to be very true.

So after not answering your question at all, I’m going to stop for now.