“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” -Jeremiah 29:4-7
In his letter to the Judeans in exile, Jeremiah commends his readers to embrace the city in which they now find themselves, to dig in and become part of the community, for their welfare is tied up with the welfare of this strange new land. Likewise, many of our authors this week found themselves called from small towns or suburbs into the heart of the city. What does it mean to seek the peace and well-being of a city? Does seeking peace look different after you’ve been a member of the community for a long time? What is the role of the government, non-profits, the Church, and individual Christians? Our authors this week will give us a variety of perspectives on cities where they have sought the things that make for peace and wholeness.
Settling in, Putting Down Roots, Beth Olker
Moving to a new city is no easy feat. I’ve done it twice in my life thus far, and I wouldn’t wish the difficulty of moving and getting settled in a new city on anyone! Many people find themselves moving to a new city because of happy, exciting changes in their lives. My first move was a post-college, pre-first job move. I packed up most everything I owned my Volvo station-wagon and made the drive from my small town in South Carolina to the big city of Nashville, TN. Continue Reading
Cardboard and Concrete, Octavio Carrasco
My experience with street ministry in San Francisco’s Tenderloin Neighborhood did not save anyone. It did not fix anyone’s problems or end homelessness. But I believe that it made a difference in an important way that continues to ripple out into the world; it has done so in my life. My interactions gave me a vision of what it means to minister with people struggling to make it through, as well as helping me understand a paradigm of urban ministry that is often overlooked. Continue Reading
Seek the Welfare of the City Where I Have Sent You, Tad Hopp
In 2010, I decided to embark on a major life transition. I left my comfortable, full-time job, gave up my car, and moved. Why, you might be wondering? What adventure could I have possibly signed up for? Where would I be going? Someplace exotic and exciting, right? Well, sort of. The reason: to be a Young Adult Volunteer with the PC(USA). The place: the Windy City herself, Chicago, IL. Continue Reading
Summer in the City: Encountering Christ in our own Backyards, Jordan Buck
“Why are you doing this when you could be at the pool or playing video games with your friends?” This is the question that I loved to ask campers every summer for the four years I co-directed “Summer in the City”, a mission based camp for middle school youth in the Raleigh, NC, area. Much to my surprise, I never received the answer “because my parents made me.” Continue Reading
Contextual Theology in Youth Ministry, Timothy Wotring
Growing up in the mountains of Western Maryland, youth ministry was an integral part of my life. Most of my friends attended church, and I found myself regularly joining their youth groups. I’d say during my middle and high school years, I was going to some sort of church youth program at least twice a week! When I left the mountains to attend college and graduate school, I fell in love with the city – first Philadelphia and later New York City itself. It was like nothing I have ever encountered. Continue Reading
Read more articles in this series.
The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) is bringing a resolution to the 221st General Assembly (2014) entitled “The Gospel from Detroit: Renewing the Church’s Urban Vision.” Click here to see the full text of that resolution.
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