Jefferson Street Baptist Center

WHY WE BELIEVE

Wholistic Urban Ministry

By: John Ferguson

The Exodus account is a fascinating story of redemption. It is marvelous to see how God used Moses as an instrument in His hand to lead the people out of Egypt. The encounter at the Red Sea, although terrifying, is one of the most miraculous events in human history. However, when all is said and done, the Exodus, which was the defining event in Israel's history, was just a single event. That is not to make light of the event or lessen its importance, but to highlight the fact that beyond the event there was a purpose.

God was not merely removing the people from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh in order that they would give a tip of their hat and be on their way. No! God drew them out of a land of slavery in order to worship and serve Him through covenant loyalty and an “ongoing commitment to economic and social justice, freedom from oppression, and due acknowledgment of God.” For this reason, Israel's Law was given in order to create and develop a society with structures, institutions, and legislation, which glorified the Creator and honored Him through sacrificial service.

While being involved in urban ministry may not seem as miraculous as the Exodus, the handiwork of God is no less visible. In fact, it is often in looking for the “big events” that we miss God at work in what seems like the simple and mundane. But how much more mundane can wearing a garment made of one material be in recognizing God and His purposes?

Involvement in urban ministry demands a call of God, but not from some tedious spiritual quest to find God's will. Rather, it comes as one sees the Lord's concern for people. God made provisions in Israel's Law, which, if obeyed, would have eliminated the poor from among them. That is to say, God is concerned about people's welfare and uses individuals as instruments in His hands to carry out His mission. So, a call and vision are necessary in considering urban ministry, but it is necessary to agree that the call and vision upon the people who make up His covenant community has always been in God's sight. Therefore, with Liimatta, it can be agreed upon that after the call of God “90% of it is just plain hard work.”

Wholistic urban ministry begins when an individual understands that God is all about making provisions in order that a people may worship and sacrificially serve Him. However, it is also necessary to realize that the Lord of Glory is concerned not only for a person's redemption, but also restoration. John Perkin's has not only provided an outline of what “wholistic urban ministry” should look like, he has also been a living testimony of the principles set forth. This paper will be a reflection on my own thoughts of urban ministry in light of Perkins' “Call to Wholistic Ministry.”

John Perkins has a lot to say about urban wholistic ministry. However, it is not merely because Perkins has a lot to say that people should listen. His “principles” are what makes him “tick.” His lifelong service within the broken cistern of society's urban centers has not been an exercise in futility, but rather has produced true “community” amidst chaotic situations through the empowering of individuals. Instead of enabling them to continue on in slavish dependency upon government and other social agencies, Perkins has sought to “solve the problems of the poor” within the community known as the church, understanding that it (church) is God's covenant community, the body of Christ, and not a mere “drive-in” for commuter convenience..

As aforementioned, God is all about drawing people to Himself in order that they may worship Him as whole persons. The resurrection and Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ makes this wholistic approach possible as a realization is understood that those who were once utterly alienated, have become “citizens of God's family and the place of God's dwelling” (Eph 2:11-2). This provides hope even in the darkest and most oppressed situations. Therefore, like Perkins, I understand that while it is the community of God's people that provide the context for change in urban environments, it is the Gospel itself which provides ultimate and everlasting hope of change.

God's mission of redemption and restoration is at the very heartbeat of reality, creation, and history and provides a distinct worldview under which urban ministers are called to operate over and against the egocentric of Western Christian culture. God's redemptive purpose calls us to “open our eyes to the big picture, rather than shelter in the cosy narcissism of our own small worlds.” In other words, God's love is demonstrated within a Gospel-centered, Gospel-saturated community, which abounds with mercy and displayed through action.

This call to action means that urban ministers need to be relational. After all, ministry is all about relations. Trust and dependence form when those who understand the call of God to urban centers engage in personal interaction with individuals who will be valuable assets to the ministry and those whom the church seeks to reach. Perkins highlights the fact that people want to get involved. Securing potential financial supporters and involvement through personal conversations and a call to action is essential in strengthening and empowering people by providing resources, which are one aspect of a visible demonstration of God's love, to meet the need of the situation. However, the “vision and call” must come first. Like Perkins, I agree that budgets should not drive programs, but rather an understanding of the full orb of God's redemptive plan should drive people to want to sacrificially give of their time, talents, and treasures for the sake of the “least of these.”

It is also within the context of one's identity in Christ and subsequent call to service that a recognition of individualized gifts should be discussed to see how they will best be utilized in an urban context. It is no mistake that individuals have been given certain gifts for service. The mistake is when the right context for executing the gifts is not understood. A call to stewardship goes beyond mere financial aspects in a Christian's life and extends to all that he has been given. When a proper stewardship of gifts takes place the urban minister's work is moved forward and the unity and diversity of the body of Christ is displayed in symbiotic union

With regards to leadership, an individualistic, self-centered attitude must not rule the person who feels called to urban ministry work. It is easy to think because there is an understanding of God's call that therefore there is no other need for outside counsel. This is foolish and dangerous. Sin is so subtle and often distorts what is good and true. That is to say, while working for the good of a community, all the benefits can be hindered by a haughty, arrogant attitude that refuses to cooperate. Here it is not necessary nor wise to set aside convictions and beliefs. Rather, it is a call to be surrounded by individuals who will give wise counsel. Is that not the warning in Scripture? A sure fire way to destroy a ministry is to have a leader who has a reputation in the community as a “lone ranger.”

Furthermore, the idea of “professionalism” must be eliminated. It can be expected from social and government agencies who are called upon as “solutions to the problem,” but the church must realize that it is merely “people in need of change helping people in need of change.” God will not share his glory with another and when urban church leaders willingly or unwillingly present themselves as the next “Moses” ready to lead the people “out of the wilderness,” people may be within a church setting, but their dependency is still on someone else instead of seeing God's created design of interdependency.

The reality is that there will be with those who stand in opposition to the work of God's people in urban ministry. These groups often are dependent upon social upheavel for their existence and either explicitly or implicitly promote entitlement instead of empowerment, creating a “welfare state” instead of a powerful community. In this case, we see that outside organizations have stepped in to try and fill the void that the church and parachurch organizations have left. And in place of social action driven by love for fellow “image bearers,” the church is left to pick of the pieces of those who have been taken advantage of by the “system.” True urban ministry may utilize social services, but only as a tool and never as a savior. There is only one Savior and His love should pour forth as urban ministers bring the “whole Gospel” to redeem the “whole person.” It is with this understanding that “urban development” must flow.