Michael D Crane | Gateway Seminary (original) (raw)

Papers by Michael D Crane

Australian Journal of Missions Studies, 2024

Interfaith realities and tensions have been accelerated by rapid globalization and urbanization. ... more Interfaith realities and tensions have been accelerated by rapid globalization and urbanization. Christians must learn how to engage with multi-religious communities with sensitivity towards other religions and confidence in our own faith in Christ. In a globalized world where interfaith conflicts abound, Christians have a model in Christ in maintaining a humble and loving presence while maintaining a public witness of the gospel as truth for all of humanity. This calls on all Christians to reevaluate the ways they engage those from other faith traditions.

The City Not Forsaken: Biblical Themes and Mission Practice, 2023

Our search for good and true missiology must return to the core sources of Christianity—the work ... more Our search for good and true missiology must return to the core sources of Christianity—the work of Jesus and the Bible. Missiology has been guilty, at times, of veering towards pragmatism, populism, or a narrow use of Scripture. The late urban missiologist, Francis DuBose, rightly emphasized our missiological priority: “Theology always precedes methodology.” The goal in this paper is to reexamine the Scriptures to discern missions strategy with the goal of rethinking people group missiology. And, in particular, we want to discern a missions strategy inclusive of cities.

Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary Theological Journal, 2024

An essential part of the missionary task is the communication of the good news. Little attention ... more An essential part of the missionary task is the communication of the good news. Little attention has been given to the Old Testament development of the idea, particularly as it pertains to our understanding of the missiological implications. The book of Isaiah contains several references to herald/heralding at key points. This theme in Isaiah has important implications for God's people in considering the message and the messenger. The Godinitiated message is intended to be spread from those who first receive the message to others. In particular, the city of Jerusalem is seen as a conduit for the message to spread to other towns and cities. A communication strategy can be detected in Isaiah that has application for missions in our day. This paper will examine the use of herald in Isaiah and examine the communication strategy for the dissemination of the good news.

International Journal of Interreligious and Intercultural Studies, 2020

The majority of the world’s refugees do not live in refugee camps, but in cities around the world... more The majority of the world’s refugees do not live in refugee camps, but in cities around the world. Realities for urban refugees are vastly different from the conditions of a refugee camp. Urban refugees lack the institutional supports of official refugee camps and often have minimal legal covering in their host cities. Without government support and the limited capacity of UNHCR to provide adequate help, it is left to citizens of the host cities to provide help. Kuala Lumpur (KL) is home to more than 150,000 refugees and even more asylum seekers. These population numbers could be overwhelming to a city without help from its citizenry. This paper will examine ways in which Christian churches have welcomed and helped this large refugee population when few others would help. Guided by a biblical command to welcome “the stranger”, churches have sacrificed greatly to impact the lives of refugees in several key areas: education, employment, health care, and spiritual vitality. Because fai...

Global Missiology English, 2014

The global trend of increasing population movement has significant implications for missions. Man... more The global trend of increasing population movement has significant implications for missions. Many of these diaspora communities have significant percentages of Christians who live among populations where Christianity is not thriving. This article looks at the first century Jewish diaspora as an example of a diaspora community that served as a conduit of the gospel to the surrounding majority population. The ways in which a diaspora community intentionally assimilates and acculturates can create opportunities for the diaspora Christians to be vessels of the gospel to large populations with little access to the gospel.

International Journal of Urban Transformation, 2021

Abstract: As cities grow and morph around the world, churches are trying to find ways to be agent... more Abstract: As cities grow and morph around the world, churches are trying to find ways to be agents of transformation. Churches are using a variety of models with the hope bringing needed change to their cities. In this article I survey the range of transformation models and offer strengths and weaknesses of each one. An awareness of the range of models can benefit churches as they “seek the welfare of the city” (Jer. 29:7).

Academia Letters, 2021

The nature and posture of the church in urban settings has been given too little attention. In ma... more The nature and posture of the church in urban settings has been given too little attention. In many respects, churches function as if they are in tight-knit smaller towns, assuming mutual trust, established relationships, and community. Churches have given into superficial tribalizations (ethnic homogeneity, partisan political affiliations, and other more subtle ques like dress, jargon, or unexplained rituals). 1 Well-intentioned churches are often slow to respond and engage swift-moving urban society. 2 In order for the church to thrive in the city, fresh thinking is necessary. 3 Moreover, "structural differentiation" is exigent if the church aims to address needs in the broader society. 4 The phrase "local church" has gained popularity in usage in recent years, but seldom includes thoughtful reflection on the locality of the local church. The very notion of "local" is not easy to define. There is an argument to consider physical and nonphysical spaces as localities: "Locality today is rendered more complex because people live in both spatial and virtual neighborhoods." 5 This blurred understanding of what is local pushes people to a de-1 James Thompson traces a strong bias towards individualism that has impacted how we conceive of church today.

Global Missiology English, Jan 7, 2014

The global trend of increasing population movement has significant implications for missions. Man... more The global trend of increasing population movement has significant implications for missions. Many of these diaspora communities have significant percentages of Christians who live among populations where Christianity is not thriving. This article looks at the first century Jewish diaspora as an example of a diaspora community that served as a conduit of the gospel to the surrounding majority population. The ways in which a diaspora community intentionally assimilates and acculturates can create opportunities for the diaspora Christians to be vessels of the gospel to large populations with little access to the gospel.

International Journal of Urban Transformation, 2019

International churches around the world are making an invaluable contribution to the church’s mis... more International churches around the world are making an invaluable contribution to the church’s mission to make disciples of every nation. Regrettably, some international churches have been nothing more than expat clubs. However, there is a rise in intentionally multicultural churches that making an impact in their cities. Around the world God has used international churches as instrumental in sowing seeds of the gospel of Jesus Christ on the frontiers of lostness.

The International Pastor Experience, 2015

Many of the great missionaries of Christian history have been those who knew their world as well ... more Many of the great missionaries of Christian history have been those who knew their world as well as anyone. Paul, for example seemed very familiar with the most influential centers of the Roman Empire. William Carey compiled an impressive collection of global statistics two hundred years before the internet. The call of the Great Commission to make disciples of every nation, means we must know our world. To add to this challenge, the world of our day is rapidly changing due to the twin forces of globalization and urbanization. In order to effectively make disciples of every nation, we need to understand our world and adapt our ministries, maximizing our ability to be ministers of the gospel. We need churches that are able to minister to urbanized people.

New Urban World Journal, 2014

Although their presence is normal, migrant workers and refugees live on the edge. Their legal sta... more Although their presence is normal, migrant workers and refugees live on the edge. Their legal status in the host country is tenuous at best. Employers exploit them at every turn. Their living conditions are often slum-like. In the midst of such difficulties, many come to embrace the hope they can experience in Jesus Christ. The traditional answer to this has been to send potential pastors off to a formal academic seminary for three to four years. This is hardly an option for most migrant workers and refugees. In this article, we will explore some of the obstacles and opportunities in equipping the transient for fruitful ministry while they are living in a global city.

Evangelical Missions Quarterly, 2015

We live in a time when unprecedented numbers of people are living outside of their homeland. Whet... more We live in a time when unprecedented numbers of people are living outside of their homeland. Whether it is for economic reasons or because of political unrest, cities are gaining migrants every day. There are now an estimated 232 million international migrants (UN News 2013). Refugees are also among the transient. Over half of the world’s fifteen million refugees are seeking asylum in cities around the world (UNHCR 2013). These “forgotten people” are growing in numbers (Marfleet 2007). Migrant workers and refugees come to global cities as cultural outsiders, desperate and vulnerable.

International Journal of Interreligious and Intercultural Studies (IJIIS), 2020

The majority of the world's refugees do not live in refugee camps, but rather in cities around th... more The majority of the world's refugees do not live in refugee camps, but rather in cities around the world. Realities for urban refugees are vastly different from the conditions of a refugee camp. Urban refugees lack the institutional support of official refugee camps and often have minimal legal covering in their host cities. Without government support with and the limited capacity of UNHCR to provide adequate help, it is left to citizens of the host cities to provide help. Kuala Lumpur is home to more than 150,000 refugees and even more asylum seekers. These population numbers could be overwhelming to a city without help from its citizenry. This paper will examine ways in which Christian churches have welcomed and helped this large refugee population when few others would help. Guided by a biblical command to "welcome the stranger," churches have sacrificed greatly to impact the lives of refugees in several key areas: education, employment, health care, and spiritual vitality. Because faith communities operate outside of governmental and non-governmental bureaucratic structures, their work often goes unnoticed. The work of these faith communities in KL is not an isolated event but serves as one case study of similar work happening in cities all over the world.

Cities are a global phenomenon and have been since the rise of civilization. With the rise of urb... more Cities are a global phenomenon and have been since the rise of civilization. With the rise of urbanization, it is not merely influence wielded through power, but also through population. The vast majority of urban growth has shifted to the Majority World. Or as Tim Bunnell puts it, “the future is not where it used to be.” The previous century saw unprecedented urbanization in countries often labeled “developed”. Latin America and Eastern Europe have already experienced significant growth of cities in the past half-century. The cities of Asia are emerging as some of the most significant hubs of commerce, innovation, and international traffic in the world. The African continent is urbanizing faster than anywhere else in the world and quickly catching up to global urbanization figures. The growth of cities in the Majority World is leading to a shift in the epicenters of global influence. New York City, London, and Los Angeles must make room for new urban giants like Singapore, Lagos, and Mumbai. The forces of urbanization and globalization (sometimes called glurbanization) are working in tandem to great effect. The implications of urbanization in the Majority World are multifaceted and will have global impact which will be manifested in economics, culture, and politics.

Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary Theological Journal, 2014

Evangelical theology and ethics suffers from blind spots. One such blind spot is our responsibili... more Evangelical theology and ethics suffers from blind spots. One such blind spot is our responsibility to take a proactive approach to the transformation of the built environment. The French sociologist/philosopher captures the sentiments of many when he claims: " There is one thing which is not asked of us [in the Bible], and that is to build the city. We are to live in the city already existing. But we are asked neither to materially found a new city, nor to participate in spiritual building projects, that is, to share in that which forms the very being of the city. " 1 In this article, I will respond to this statement by examining Isaiah 58:12. I believe this verse challenges us to think afresh our ethical assumptions as well as our role in contributing to the physical environment of our cities. This article is divided into three parts. The first part will provide a short explanation of the hermeneutical method I used. This will be followed by an exegesis of Isaiah 58:12. The third part will explore the implications of a missiological reading of the verse for ethics and urban missions.

International Journal of Urban Transformation, 2016

Perceptions about refugees have been colored by popular culture portrayals of refugees in rural c... more Perceptions about refugees have been colored by popular culture portrayals of refugees in rural camps with basic needs provided by relief agencies. Today, more than half of the world's refugees are based in cities and are responsible for their own shelter and sustenance. In many instances, refugees seeking resettlement must first go to a city in a third country where they are screened by the United Nations for resettlement. This process takes a number of years and involves a unique set of challenges. In this article, the author examines the realities faced by refugees/asylum seekers in these landing cities and explores opportunities for response by the church. During the time of the pharaohs, the people of Israel grew large in number and became a threat to the Egyptian people. In response to this perceived threat the Egyptians turned the people of Israel into slaves and oppressed them terribly (Ex. 1:8-22). Moses led Israel out of Egypt and brought this nation of refugees to the Promised Land, but not without first going through the wilderness for forty years. Much happened during these years in the wilderness that would forever impact who Israel is. Their time in the wilderness was challenging in so many ways, but it was also a catalyst to reliance on God and the formation of his people. When we tell the story of Israel making their way to the Promised Land without mention of the wilderness, we do a disservice to the church. The story of Israel in the wilderness offers an example that helps us understand the plight of many refugees today. Refugees today are displaced from the nation they have known as home. And, as they await resettlement in a land that holds much promise, many must endure years in cities where they remain an unwelcomed presence. Most likely your perceptions about the refugee life is skewed by a combination of news media and Hollywood. From the sound of comments on social media, many anticipate refugees simply hop in a dingy and arrive in the United States. Increasingly, asylum seekers take up residence in a global city and apply for recognition as refugees and await resettlement in a third country. This is a rigorous, arduous process that takes years. In a few weeks, my wife and I will be saying goodbye to good friends, Hannah and Roger, who are leaving our city to be resettled in North America. They arrived in our city seeking asylum for religious reasons but have faced terrible difficulties over the last five years as they progress through the refugee process. Work, transportation, and even education for the children is full of challenges. As in many locations, they are given legal status as refugees, but not given the freedom to survive for five years. As we will cover in this article, refugees in landing cities often have restricts on working, education, and sometimes even remaining in the city. Philip Marfleet (2007, p. 36) notes the new urban reality faced by many refugees when he says, " More and more refugees are city dwellers whose existence is denied by governments and agencies. "

Books by Michael D Crane

The City Not Forsaken: Biblical Themes and Mission Practices, 2023

Throughout history, the building of great and influential cities has symbolized global influence ... more Throughout history, the building of great and influential cities has symbolized global influence and power. The cities of Asia are emerging as the greatest and most influential in the world, once again. 1 There are more urban dwellers in the cities of Asia than the rest of the world combined. 2 This amounts to nearly 2.3 billion urban dwellers living in Asian cities and more than 29% of the global population. As of 2019, Asia is more urban than non-urban. 3 These astounding numbers demand attention from the church in Asia and across the world.

Advancing Models of Mission: Evaluating the Past and Looking to the Future, 2021

“What people group are you trying reach?” Recent decades saw a shift in missions focus from geopo... more “What people group are you trying reach?” Recent decades saw a shift in missions focus from geopolitical nations to ethnolinguistic people groups. This new focus on “hidden peoples” ushered in new ways of considering the missions task and the ways in which Christians went about this task. Over time, the task became focused on Christian witness to “every” ethnolinguistic people group with the eschatological hope of finishing the task citing Matt 24:14. Although much good came from this shift in focus, it developed into a missiology based on a narrow reading of selected biblical passages and neglected the full breadth of the biblical witness. It has also met with pragmatic challenges in the burgeoning urban melting pots around the world. In a world of increasing urbanization and ethnolinguistic confluence, a fresh examination of key biblical passages suggests new ways to conceive of the missions task. This paper explores biblical challenges to people group missiology and suggests a geographical framework with urban centers as the launching point. In particular, this paper will look at the way New Testament authors relied on the Old Testament. This study highlights a mandate to reach all people. The pattern used by Paul and others in the New Testament is based on geography, rather than people groups, using key cities as starting points.

A Brief History of Christianity in Asia, 2019

Australian Journal of Missions Studies, 2024

Interfaith realities and tensions have been accelerated by rapid globalization and urbanization. ... more Interfaith realities and tensions have been accelerated by rapid globalization and urbanization. Christians must learn how to engage with multi-religious communities with sensitivity towards other religions and confidence in our own faith in Christ. In a globalized world where interfaith conflicts abound, Christians have a model in Christ in maintaining a humble and loving presence while maintaining a public witness of the gospel as truth for all of humanity. This calls on all Christians to reevaluate the ways they engage those from other faith traditions.

The City Not Forsaken: Biblical Themes and Mission Practice, 2023

Our search for good and true missiology must return to the core sources of Christianity—the work ... more Our search for good and true missiology must return to the core sources of Christianity—the work of Jesus and the Bible. Missiology has been guilty, at times, of veering towards pragmatism, populism, or a narrow use of Scripture. The late urban missiologist, Francis DuBose, rightly emphasized our missiological priority: “Theology always precedes methodology.” The goal in this paper is to reexamine the Scriptures to discern missions strategy with the goal of rethinking people group missiology. And, in particular, we want to discern a missions strategy inclusive of cities.

Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary Theological Journal, 2024

An essential part of the missionary task is the communication of the good news. Little attention ... more An essential part of the missionary task is the communication of the good news. Little attention has been given to the Old Testament development of the idea, particularly as it pertains to our understanding of the missiological implications. The book of Isaiah contains several references to herald/heralding at key points. This theme in Isaiah has important implications for God's people in considering the message and the messenger. The Godinitiated message is intended to be spread from those who first receive the message to others. In particular, the city of Jerusalem is seen as a conduit for the message to spread to other towns and cities. A communication strategy can be detected in Isaiah that has application for missions in our day. This paper will examine the use of herald in Isaiah and examine the communication strategy for the dissemination of the good news.

International Journal of Interreligious and Intercultural Studies, 2020

The majority of the world’s refugees do not live in refugee camps, but in cities around the world... more The majority of the world’s refugees do not live in refugee camps, but in cities around the world. Realities for urban refugees are vastly different from the conditions of a refugee camp. Urban refugees lack the institutional supports of official refugee camps and often have minimal legal covering in their host cities. Without government support and the limited capacity of UNHCR to provide adequate help, it is left to citizens of the host cities to provide help. Kuala Lumpur (KL) is home to more than 150,000 refugees and even more asylum seekers. These population numbers could be overwhelming to a city without help from its citizenry. This paper will examine ways in which Christian churches have welcomed and helped this large refugee population when few others would help. Guided by a biblical command to welcome “the stranger”, churches have sacrificed greatly to impact the lives of refugees in several key areas: education, employment, health care, and spiritual vitality. Because fai...

Global Missiology English, 2014

The global trend of increasing population movement has significant implications for missions. Man... more The global trend of increasing population movement has significant implications for missions. Many of these diaspora communities have significant percentages of Christians who live among populations where Christianity is not thriving. This article looks at the first century Jewish diaspora as an example of a diaspora community that served as a conduit of the gospel to the surrounding majority population. The ways in which a diaspora community intentionally assimilates and acculturates can create opportunities for the diaspora Christians to be vessels of the gospel to large populations with little access to the gospel.

International Journal of Urban Transformation, 2021

Abstract: As cities grow and morph around the world, churches are trying to find ways to be agent... more Abstract: As cities grow and morph around the world, churches are trying to find ways to be agents of transformation. Churches are using a variety of models with the hope bringing needed change to their cities. In this article I survey the range of transformation models and offer strengths and weaknesses of each one. An awareness of the range of models can benefit churches as they “seek the welfare of the city” (Jer. 29:7).

Academia Letters, 2021

The nature and posture of the church in urban settings has been given too little attention. In ma... more The nature and posture of the church in urban settings has been given too little attention. In many respects, churches function as if they are in tight-knit smaller towns, assuming mutual trust, established relationships, and community. Churches have given into superficial tribalizations (ethnic homogeneity, partisan political affiliations, and other more subtle ques like dress, jargon, or unexplained rituals). 1 Well-intentioned churches are often slow to respond and engage swift-moving urban society. 2 In order for the church to thrive in the city, fresh thinking is necessary. 3 Moreover, "structural differentiation" is exigent if the church aims to address needs in the broader society. 4 The phrase "local church" has gained popularity in usage in recent years, but seldom includes thoughtful reflection on the locality of the local church. The very notion of "local" is not easy to define. There is an argument to consider physical and nonphysical spaces as localities: "Locality today is rendered more complex because people live in both spatial and virtual neighborhoods." 5 This blurred understanding of what is local pushes people to a de-1 James Thompson traces a strong bias towards individualism that has impacted how we conceive of church today.

Global Missiology English, Jan 7, 2014

The global trend of increasing population movement has significant implications for missions. Man... more The global trend of increasing population movement has significant implications for missions. Many of these diaspora communities have significant percentages of Christians who live among populations where Christianity is not thriving. This article looks at the first century Jewish diaspora as an example of a diaspora community that served as a conduit of the gospel to the surrounding majority population. The ways in which a diaspora community intentionally assimilates and acculturates can create opportunities for the diaspora Christians to be vessels of the gospel to large populations with little access to the gospel.

International Journal of Urban Transformation, 2019

International churches around the world are making an invaluable contribution to the church’s mis... more International churches around the world are making an invaluable contribution to the church’s mission to make disciples of every nation. Regrettably, some international churches have been nothing more than expat clubs. However, there is a rise in intentionally multicultural churches that making an impact in their cities. Around the world God has used international churches as instrumental in sowing seeds of the gospel of Jesus Christ on the frontiers of lostness.

The International Pastor Experience, 2015

Many of the great missionaries of Christian history have been those who knew their world as well ... more Many of the great missionaries of Christian history have been those who knew their world as well as anyone. Paul, for example seemed very familiar with the most influential centers of the Roman Empire. William Carey compiled an impressive collection of global statistics two hundred years before the internet. The call of the Great Commission to make disciples of every nation, means we must know our world. To add to this challenge, the world of our day is rapidly changing due to the twin forces of globalization and urbanization. In order to effectively make disciples of every nation, we need to understand our world and adapt our ministries, maximizing our ability to be ministers of the gospel. We need churches that are able to minister to urbanized people.

New Urban World Journal, 2014

Although their presence is normal, migrant workers and refugees live on the edge. Their legal sta... more Although their presence is normal, migrant workers and refugees live on the edge. Their legal status in the host country is tenuous at best. Employers exploit them at every turn. Their living conditions are often slum-like. In the midst of such difficulties, many come to embrace the hope they can experience in Jesus Christ. The traditional answer to this has been to send potential pastors off to a formal academic seminary for three to four years. This is hardly an option for most migrant workers and refugees. In this article, we will explore some of the obstacles and opportunities in equipping the transient for fruitful ministry while they are living in a global city.

Evangelical Missions Quarterly, 2015

We live in a time when unprecedented numbers of people are living outside of their homeland. Whet... more We live in a time when unprecedented numbers of people are living outside of their homeland. Whether it is for economic reasons or because of political unrest, cities are gaining migrants every day. There are now an estimated 232 million international migrants (UN News 2013). Refugees are also among the transient. Over half of the world’s fifteen million refugees are seeking asylum in cities around the world (UNHCR 2013). These “forgotten people” are growing in numbers (Marfleet 2007). Migrant workers and refugees come to global cities as cultural outsiders, desperate and vulnerable.

International Journal of Interreligious and Intercultural Studies (IJIIS), 2020

The majority of the world's refugees do not live in refugee camps, but rather in cities around th... more The majority of the world's refugees do not live in refugee camps, but rather in cities around the world. Realities for urban refugees are vastly different from the conditions of a refugee camp. Urban refugees lack the institutional support of official refugee camps and often have minimal legal covering in their host cities. Without government support with and the limited capacity of UNHCR to provide adequate help, it is left to citizens of the host cities to provide help. Kuala Lumpur is home to more than 150,000 refugees and even more asylum seekers. These population numbers could be overwhelming to a city without help from its citizenry. This paper will examine ways in which Christian churches have welcomed and helped this large refugee population when few others would help. Guided by a biblical command to "welcome the stranger," churches have sacrificed greatly to impact the lives of refugees in several key areas: education, employment, health care, and spiritual vitality. Because faith communities operate outside of governmental and non-governmental bureaucratic structures, their work often goes unnoticed. The work of these faith communities in KL is not an isolated event but serves as one case study of similar work happening in cities all over the world.

Cities are a global phenomenon and have been since the rise of civilization. With the rise of urb... more Cities are a global phenomenon and have been since the rise of civilization. With the rise of urbanization, it is not merely influence wielded through power, but also through population. The vast majority of urban growth has shifted to the Majority World. Or as Tim Bunnell puts it, “the future is not where it used to be.” The previous century saw unprecedented urbanization in countries often labeled “developed”. Latin America and Eastern Europe have already experienced significant growth of cities in the past half-century. The cities of Asia are emerging as some of the most significant hubs of commerce, innovation, and international traffic in the world. The African continent is urbanizing faster than anywhere else in the world and quickly catching up to global urbanization figures. The growth of cities in the Majority World is leading to a shift in the epicenters of global influence. New York City, London, and Los Angeles must make room for new urban giants like Singapore, Lagos, and Mumbai. The forces of urbanization and globalization (sometimes called glurbanization) are working in tandem to great effect. The implications of urbanization in the Majority World are multifaceted and will have global impact which will be manifested in economics, culture, and politics.

Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary Theological Journal, 2014

Evangelical theology and ethics suffers from blind spots. One such blind spot is our responsibili... more Evangelical theology and ethics suffers from blind spots. One such blind spot is our responsibility to take a proactive approach to the transformation of the built environment. The French sociologist/philosopher captures the sentiments of many when he claims: " There is one thing which is not asked of us [in the Bible], and that is to build the city. We are to live in the city already existing. But we are asked neither to materially found a new city, nor to participate in spiritual building projects, that is, to share in that which forms the very being of the city. " 1 In this article, I will respond to this statement by examining Isaiah 58:12. I believe this verse challenges us to think afresh our ethical assumptions as well as our role in contributing to the physical environment of our cities. This article is divided into three parts. The first part will provide a short explanation of the hermeneutical method I used. This will be followed by an exegesis of Isaiah 58:12. The third part will explore the implications of a missiological reading of the verse for ethics and urban missions.

International Journal of Urban Transformation, 2016

Perceptions about refugees have been colored by popular culture portrayals of refugees in rural c... more Perceptions about refugees have been colored by popular culture portrayals of refugees in rural camps with basic needs provided by relief agencies. Today, more than half of the world's refugees are based in cities and are responsible for their own shelter and sustenance. In many instances, refugees seeking resettlement must first go to a city in a third country where they are screened by the United Nations for resettlement. This process takes a number of years and involves a unique set of challenges. In this article, the author examines the realities faced by refugees/asylum seekers in these landing cities and explores opportunities for response by the church. During the time of the pharaohs, the people of Israel grew large in number and became a threat to the Egyptian people. In response to this perceived threat the Egyptians turned the people of Israel into slaves and oppressed them terribly (Ex. 1:8-22). Moses led Israel out of Egypt and brought this nation of refugees to the Promised Land, but not without first going through the wilderness for forty years. Much happened during these years in the wilderness that would forever impact who Israel is. Their time in the wilderness was challenging in so many ways, but it was also a catalyst to reliance on God and the formation of his people. When we tell the story of Israel making their way to the Promised Land without mention of the wilderness, we do a disservice to the church. The story of Israel in the wilderness offers an example that helps us understand the plight of many refugees today. Refugees today are displaced from the nation they have known as home. And, as they await resettlement in a land that holds much promise, many must endure years in cities where they remain an unwelcomed presence. Most likely your perceptions about the refugee life is skewed by a combination of news media and Hollywood. From the sound of comments on social media, many anticipate refugees simply hop in a dingy and arrive in the United States. Increasingly, asylum seekers take up residence in a global city and apply for recognition as refugees and await resettlement in a third country. This is a rigorous, arduous process that takes years. In a few weeks, my wife and I will be saying goodbye to good friends, Hannah and Roger, who are leaving our city to be resettled in North America. They arrived in our city seeking asylum for religious reasons but have faced terrible difficulties over the last five years as they progress through the refugee process. Work, transportation, and even education for the children is full of challenges. As in many locations, they are given legal status as refugees, but not given the freedom to survive for five years. As we will cover in this article, refugees in landing cities often have restricts on working, education, and sometimes even remaining in the city. Philip Marfleet (2007, p. 36) notes the new urban reality faced by many refugees when he says, " More and more refugees are city dwellers whose existence is denied by governments and agencies. "

The City Not Forsaken: Biblical Themes and Mission Practices, 2023

Throughout history, the building of great and influential cities has symbolized global influence ... more Throughout history, the building of great and influential cities has symbolized global influence and power. The cities of Asia are emerging as the greatest and most influential in the world, once again. 1 There are more urban dwellers in the cities of Asia than the rest of the world combined. 2 This amounts to nearly 2.3 billion urban dwellers living in Asian cities and more than 29% of the global population. As of 2019, Asia is more urban than non-urban. 3 These astounding numbers demand attention from the church in Asia and across the world.

Advancing Models of Mission: Evaluating the Past and Looking to the Future, 2021

“What people group are you trying reach?” Recent decades saw a shift in missions focus from geopo... more “What people group are you trying reach?” Recent decades saw a shift in missions focus from geopolitical nations to ethnolinguistic people groups. This new focus on “hidden peoples” ushered in new ways of considering the missions task and the ways in which Christians went about this task. Over time, the task became focused on Christian witness to “every” ethnolinguistic people group with the eschatological hope of finishing the task citing Matt 24:14. Although much good came from this shift in focus, it developed into a missiology based on a narrow reading of selected biblical passages and neglected the full breadth of the biblical witness. It has also met with pragmatic challenges in the burgeoning urban melting pots around the world. In a world of increasing urbanization and ethnolinguistic confluence, a fresh examination of key biblical passages suggests new ways to conceive of the missions task. This paper explores biblical challenges to people group missiology and suggests a geographical framework with urban centers as the launching point. In particular, this paper will look at the way New Testament authors relied on the Old Testament. This study highlights a mandate to reach all people. The pattern used by Paul and others in the New Testament is based on geography, rather than people groups, using key cities as starting points.

A Brief History of Christianity in Asia, 2019

Vespas, Cafes, Singlespeed Bikes, and Urban Hipsters: Gentrification, Urban Mission, and Church Planting, 2014

A discussion of gentrification around the globe is nearly impossible to encapsulate in this chapt... more A discussion of gentrification around the globe is nearly impossible to encapsulate in this chapter except to aver that gentrification is happening around the world and therefore cannot be written off as a purely western phenomenon. But it also needs to be said that the issues surrounding gentrification will vary considerably from place to place. Land laws, urban policies, and degree of economic development will significantly affect how gentrification plays out in each city in the world. In this chapter, as we examine issues of gentrification from a global perspective, we hope to achieve three things: push and stretch the definition of gentrification, articulate some of the issues and obstacles related to gentrification in the cities of Malaysia, and address opportunities and challenges facing the church in the context of Kuala Lumpur. An accurate account of gentrification trends and issues around the world is not possible in this chapter. My goal is simply to broaden the conversation on gentrification by highlighting the realities in Malaysia’s conurbations (urban areas).

Urban Loft Publishers, 2015

More than half the people on the planet live in cities. It's not just our future that's urban--ou... more More than half the people on the planet live in cities. It's not just our future that's urban--our present is. What does the Bible say about cities? How should the church go about reaching those billions of city-dwellers? Where do our cities fit into the Kingdom of God? The church needs a comprehensive, gospel-centered response to these questions as we seek to obey God's call to "seek the welfare of the city" (Jer. 29:7). In Sowing Seeds of Change, Michael Crane weaves together theology and praxis, creating a framework for understanding your city, a means of crafting a vision of what it could be, and a way forward towards transforming it. Sowing Seeds of Change proposes an approach to the city that is both holistic and Christ-centered, offering churches a balanced, compassionate, well-researched model for ministry in diverse urban contexts. Whether you're a pastor, missionary, seminarian, or urban church member, you'll be challenged, edified, and equipped by Sowing Seeds of Change.

Urbanization: Impacts on the Church, Mission and Society Today, 2018

Cities have always been the centerpiece in our conceptions of society. The Bible says a lot about... more Cities have always been the centerpiece in our conceptions of society. The Bible says a lot about cities past, present, and future that warrants our attention. With well over a thousand uses of the word “city” in the Bible (and even more references to cities by name), the city emerges as a theme running through the biblical meta-narrative. Although a city in the Old Testament looks significantly different than our towering cities of today, there are shared basic components calling us to study the urban theme in the Bible as we examine our cities today. A biblical theology of the city is imperative to understanding how the church engages cities in our day.

Evangelical Missions Quarterly, 2007

For centuries, cities have been on the receiving end of a disproportionately small part of missio... more For centuries, cities have been on the receiving end of a disproportionately small part of mission endeavors, but readers of Rodney Stark’s latest book may have to reconsider the wisdom of this. In Cities of God: The Real Story of How Christianity Became an Urban Movement and Conquered Rome, Stark’s sociological look at the movement of Christianity in the first few centuries after Christ’s death concludes that the movement was primarily urban. He has brought the tools and perspectives of sociology to bear on history, particularly religious history.

New Urban World Journal, 2013

Whether we want to admit it or not, we are all guilty of neglecting major portions of Scripture. ... more Whether we want to admit it or not, we are all guilty of neglecting major portions of Scripture. In particular, many of us skip over some of the darkest passages in order to get to the more uplifting passages. In Geography of Grace: Doing Theology from Below, Kris Rocke and Joel Van Dycke seek to lift the cover off of those dark passages because there is significance in even the deepest suffering. They liken these stories of anguish and lament to the blue notes in jazz music.

Are the revolutions and riots that frequent the news attributable to urbanization? Jeb Brugmann ... more Are the revolutions and riots that frequent the news attributable to urbanization? Jeb Brugmann begins his book, Welcome to the Urban Revolution: How Cities Are Changing the World, with some stirring vignettes alerting the reader to the revolutionary impact of urbanization. He writes of an urban slum erected overnight that has profound impact on the politics, ecology, and economy of Ecuador. Brugmann then reports how an immigrant community settling in a California city morphed into an international criminal organization. These examples and others help develop a picture of the significance of urbanization globally. And ultimately the networking of cities is moving toward the erecting of a global city.