Introduction to Urban Mission

“For I have much people in this city.”Acts 18:10

Part I

Perceptions, Barriers and Strategies

SURVEY

Definitions“City”

A center of population, commerce, and culture; a town of significant size and importance.

“Inner City”

The older and more populated and (usually) poorer central section of a city.

Definitions“Urban”

Of, relating to, or located in a city; Characteristic of the city or city life.

“Rural”

Of, relating to, or characteristic of the country.

Definitions“Ghetto”

A section of a city occupied by a minority group who live there especially because of social, economic, or legal pressure.

“Community”

A district or area with distinctive characteristics.

Definitions“Downtown”

The lower part or the business center of a city or town.

“Suburb”

A usually residential area or community outlying a city.

Definitions“Metropolis”

A major city, especially the chief city of a country or region.

“Cosmopolis”

A large city inhabited by people from many different countries.

Definitions“Micro-ministry”

Dealing with individuals and their needs in the city.

Charles Van Engen, God So Loves the City, pp. 246

“Macro-studies”

A vast scope of investigation—sociology, anthropology, economics, politics, etc.

Charles Van Engen, God So Loves the City, pp. 246

PERCEPTIONS OF THE CITY

BARRIERS TO URBAN MISSION

A Major Hindrance

Lack of co-operation between churches, and between church and para-churchorganisations, resulting in waste of limited resources.

“Christian Witness to Large Cities,” Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, 1980

EXEGETING THE CITY

The Church at Corinth

“For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.”

Acts 18:10

What is God’s mission to the city?

The Mission of Christ“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath

anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach

deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”Lk. 4:18-19

WHAT IS URBAN MISSION?

Urban mission is theevangelization of the city.

Lausanne Committee for World Evangelizationwww.lausanne.org

Evangelize (euangelizo): to bring good news

Can our cities be saved?

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”

2 Tim. 3:1

Group Activity:Mission Opportunities in the City

“For a great door and effectual is open to meand there are many adversaries.”

1 Cor. 16:9

Conclusion: The needs in the city are indeed too big for one

person or one congregation or organization.But praise God! He never intended for us

to work alone!

God is with us AND he has muchpeople in the city.

Part II

No Schism

Definitions“Koinonia”

Communion, fellowship, sharing in common

“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship (koinonia) of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Cor. 1:9

Definitions“Communion”

The act or an instance of sharing, as of thoughts or feelings.

“Fellowship”

The condition of sharing similar interests, ideals, or experiences, as by reason of profession, religion, or nationality.

God’s Urban Mission Strategy:

ONE BODYbuilding

ONE CHURCHfor

ONE CITY

An Ideal RelationshipThe ideal relationship for the world Christian community is one of interdependence with a recognized system for shared decision-making and resource allocation. Until that is resolved there will continue to be tensions and resource imbalances.Wilbert Shenk, Changing Frontiers of Mission, pp. 114

The Church at Rome“And the night following the Lord stood by him and

said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear

witness also at Rome.” Acts 23:11

Can our body be healed?“And whether one member suffer, all the members

suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.” 1 Cor. 12:26

Group Activity:Mission Partnerships in the City

“For we are labourers togetherwith God.” 1 Cor. 3:9

Conclusion:God gave us a diversity of members so that there

would be no schism in the body (1 Cor. 12:25).

Schism comes when we think we can do it alone, that we don’t need our other members to fully function.