A Prophet in Their Midst (original) (raw)
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A Biblical Theology of Urban Ministry
A practical analysis of biblical theology applied to an urban context, based around Tim Keller's Center Church, as well as other resources on urban ministry.
Introduction No amount of reflection on city ministry or urban mission during our age can be proven to have covered all we need to know about God's intention for the city. The little that one reads on urban ministry will reveal that there are lots of gaps that still need to be filled on the subject matter. This work is one effort at filling the gap in a small way on further reflection upon God's calling of the church to the city. This paper will, therefore, consider one vital aspect on urban ministry, namely, a theology of urban mission. What does God say about the city and his covenant community's involvement with and in the city? Is urban mission just an infatuation of some over zealous mission minded Christians who feel overburdened with the spiritual needs of today's urban dwellers, or is their zeal biblical? If it is biblical how does that unfold in God's redemptive plan for fallen humanity including the city? How can our mission to the city rest on a firm biblical foundation? These and other questions are the concern of this work. Before we proceed, the question needs to be answered as to why we need a theology of urban ministry. A related question could be as to whether there is even a theology of or for urban ministry. The first question presupposes the second and both will be addressed as we seek to respond to the first – why do we need an urban theology? Eugene Rubingh informs us that those Christians as are involved in urban ministry have a certain zeal with them, it is a zeal they feel is biblically valid. He says such people are " convinced that they possess an authentic instinct as to the biblical validity of and imperative for their work. " 1 And it may be added, such people appear to be saying they have experienced the presence of God in the city, and so they celebrate the city as a marvelously diverse repository of God's gifts and creativity, and they believe God desires his people to work for the salvation of the city. But is such zeal enough or even relevant theology for urban ministry? A good and authentic urban mission can only be embarked upon from a solid biblical framework if such ministry is to receive God's approval and blessings as Roger Greenway rightly observes: The kind of mission work that pleases God and can expect his blessings is done carefully on sound biblical foundations…. We cannot expect lives to be changed, city neighborhoods improved, and vital churches established if our labors spring from feeble, even distorted, theological roots. 2
Rethinking Urban Theology a Critique for Moving Forward
Great Commission Research Journal, 2011
The last 300 years have witnessed the worldwide urban population jump from just two percent in 1700 to fifty percent at the turn of the twenty-first century. The Christian community has sought to adapt and respond to this current trend in the form of developing an urban theology. This article seeks to provide what is intended to be a helpful critique of some aspects of urban theology. Specific attention will be given to three aspects of urban theology that are in need of critique: urbanization, the gospel and social justice, and biblical theology. Following an analysis of these three areas, a way forward will be offered in the conclusion. The last 300 years have witnessed the worldwide urban population jump from just two percent in 1700 to fifty percent at the turn of the twenty-first century. 1 The explosion of urbanization has left-and continues to leave-numerous effects on societies throughout the world as governments, economies, and cultures scramble to adapt and respond to growing urban populations. Likewise, the Christian community has sought to adapt and respond to this current trend. This truth is
Serving the King: The Role of the Church in Urban Secular Mission Outreach
Journal of Adventist Mission Studies, 2019
Population Growth in Cities Currently, over half the world's population lives in urban areas, and according to the United Nations, by the year 2050 this number will increase to two-thirds (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2014:1). According to the census conducted every 10 years by the United States Government Department of Commerce, in 2010 80.7% of Americans lived in urban areas (United States Summary 2010; Population and Housing Unit Counts 2010:12). Similarly, according to the United Nations Demographic Yearbook almost three fourths of Europeans live in urban areas (Eurostat 2016). As you can see, cities provide a large mission field. However, in spite of the mission potential of cities, only a small percentage of Adventists live in urban settings. A recent study (Sahlin, Činčala, and Richardson 2018) of church members in the North American Division showed that only 4.2% of Adventists live in downtown areas, while another 14.6% live elsewhere in the city, meaning that only 18.8% of Adventists currently live in cities. This number has dropped considerably since the study was last conducted in 2008, when 27% of respondents reported living in a city (Sahlin and Richardson 2008). While research does not provide a clear "why" as to the cause of this decrease of Adventists living in urban or city settings, it is clear that the Adventist presence in these settings is declining. Could it be that local churches have given up on reaching cities? Monte Sahlin writes, "By far the largest number of Adventist congregations in America are located in small towns and rural communities.. .. This. .. reflects the failure of Adventist evangelization to effectively penetrate the large cities. While about one American in five lives outside the major metropolitan areas, fully 50 percent of Adventist members live there" (2007:44). The United Nations predicts the continued growth of city populations (2014:1). Adventists agree that the church has a God-given purpose and responsibilities to minister to those living in cities, so it is clear that something needs to change. Rethinking Mission to Cities: Theological Misconceptions While there are church initiatives (such as Mission to the Cities) attempting to respond to the realities in urban areas, the question is to what degree these efforts are efficient and/or effective. The numbers and stories emerging from urban settings offers a hint of what is really happening. In many cases, there is a false assumption regarding what the role of the church ought to be in urban settings. These assumptions may be 2
Review & Expositor
Smith has also served as past president of the American Baptist Churches of the West and the Progressive National Baptist Convention. A distinguished winner of numerous awards and commendations for his leadership in ministry, making significant contributions to affordable senior housing, scholarship, and meritorious activities, in May 2007 Smith was the recipient of the American Baptist Homes of the West Affordable Housing Award. He is a "drum major" for justice, peace, and righteousness, and a model for public theology. His first wife, Joanna Goodwin Smith, served for many years as the Oakland Unified School District Director of Adult Education housed at Allen Temple. This program allowed persons to complete the requirements for their General Education Diploma (high school graduation equivalency), and assisted immigrants with meeting the requirements for US Citizenship. In 2007, Mrs. Smith went home to be with the Lord. Smith is the father of five children: Amy, James, Craig, Shari, and Anthony. His son, the Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Jr., is currently the Senior Pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church. Smith, Sr. is now married to the Reverend Bernestine Smith, who served as the Pastor of Allen Temple Arms for numerous years.