Who stole my church?

[Margaret Spencer Powell]

I have a question about cataloguing this book. The setting is a fictional church in New England. The author, Gordon MacDonald, says that he and his wife are the only real people in the bookl. In my mind that makes it a work of fiction. However, the Library of Congress CIP classifies it as 262.001. Is there any basis for putting a work of fiction in the nonfiction section of the library?Margaret S. Powell

[Maxine Johnson Bersch Lovern]

It is obviously not entirely fiction since he admits that he and his wife are in it and they are real. Not having read the book, I can only guess that this is perhaps a book in which the author wishes to make a statement and still not offend anyone with what he says, so all the people in it are fictitious, however, the title seems to indicate that ecclesiology classification is a fitting one, for the definition of that class includes "in addition to describing a broad discipline of theology, ecclesiology may also be used in the specific sense of a particular church or denomination's character, self-described or otherwise. In particular the subject addresses such questions as Who is the Church? What is its role in corporate worship? What is its authority? What does it do? How should it be governed? What is the role of 'spiritual gifts'? I am theorizing now, since I have not seen the book, but on the strength of what you say, I would go ahead and place it in the 262 class, because, even though it reads like a story, it is actually dealing with this subject and it may be the best way to handle such a question as he is asking. Even if this does not entirely satisfy your mind, it will at least offer a point of view and maybe it will help you to decide where you want it for your particular congregation. It always helps to think about it with another person when you have a knotty problem. MBLovern

[Margaret Spencer Powell]

Thank you for your insight. I do believe that Mr. MacDonald was trying to make a statement about "worship wars"--the use of contemporary music and a band versus traditional hyms, organ, and choir. Most of the characters are church members, in their 50's and 60's, who feel disenfranchised by the change. You did help me to make up my mind to classify it as 262.011. Thank you for your comments.

Margaret Powell, Librarian
Central Baptist Church
Springhill, Louisiana