Jefferson Street Baptist Center

WHY WE BELIEVE

A Biblical Basis for Urban Ministry

By: John Ferguson

In considering a Biblical basis for urban ministry, it would be easy to reflect on the negative characteristics of urban areas such as Babel, Ninevah, Sodom, and Gomorrah. Furthermore, one might conclude that God does not have a passion for urban ministry because of the destruction he brings upon Jericho, Sodom, and Gomorrah. However, when consideration is taken to reflect upon a Biblical view of cities, it becomes clear that God is passionate about cities, but not in the way that we consider cities.

In our modern society we tend to think of cities apart from the people who live in them. The fact that individuals live in a city tends to be rather irrelevant when thinking of the “Big Apple” and “Windy City.” Thankfully, God does not think in this manner. He does not view people as inhabitants of a city, but rather sees them as the city. With that in mind, the following characteristics describe a Biblical vision of the city and the subsequent need of urban ministry.

First, God loves the city because He Himself is a builder of cities. Beginning in a beautiful garden civilization (Genesis 2), God ends redemptive history in a city (Rev 21). This city, which Abraham longed for (Hebrews 11:10), is sacred space, and a “fulfillment of the purposes of the Eden of God.” While Revelation 21 provides us with a description of this city, the most important aspect of the city is the relationship between God and man, which will be fully and finally restored in the “celestial city.” “He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God himself will be their God” (Rev 21:3). While this glorious hope yet awaits final consummation, Jesus made the redemption of a city possible through his sacrificial and substitutionary death, which enables those who have been redeemed to be instruments in the Redeemer’s hands and live out their original purpose of spreading God’s glory by being ambassadors on His behalf. This seems to be the strategy of the early church. As Olver states, “The strategy of the early church seems to have contained a strong emphasis on urban outreach.”

The urban outreach seems to continue for some time in the early church, even though it seems to have reached its zenith under the Apostle Paul. In contrast, the modern church seems to have lost some of its effectiveness in reaching urban centers. The compassion which God has for those in urban areas seems to be ignored as modern churches breed contempt and intolerance towards the needs of urban dwellers,” which leads to the second mandate for reaching our cities and urban centers for Christ.

With an understanding of God's love for the city and the subsequent urban evangelization of the early church in mind, it is clear that cities are to be a place for people. While suburban areas tend to be very polarized, having very little ethnic diversity, the Biblical picture of the city is one of multi-ethnic make-up. Jerusalem encountered this reality after Pentecost (Acts 2). In an afternoon, the city was transformed from being a place of pilgrimage journey to a multi-cultural homestead for nearly three thousand souls. This should be the reality of a city made up of individuals who have been redeemed. Pentecost reversed the curse at Babel. Therefore, we should expect an eclectic make-up of God’s people within the city. Furthermore, the “Pentecost version of community exists for mission, not for itself,” which leads to the next point.

Knowing that God is the builder of cities and that cities are to be made up of a variety of cultural and ethnic diversity, it is also a reality that the city should be a place for families to be refreshed, renewed and restored. Unfortunately as we look at most cities the exact opposite seems to be true. However, knowing that a city of blessing awaits the people of God, there should be a present day blessing as well. After all, Christ is seated on the throne (Rev. 5). He is ruling and reigning right now and while all the realities that come through the redemption that is in His blood are “not yet,” there is definitely restoration “already.” Sin corrupted the first earthly family, but the Atonement made it possible for families to experience renewal and restoration. Again, our modern cities do not seem to reflect this reality as illegitimacy rates, divorce, crime, and decay are all rampant in most modern urban areas, but a quick observation of cities shows the majority of God’s people sinfully abandoning that which God has called them to reclaim. Bakke highlights the fact of cities becoming a place of nourishment for a family of which the man was off in military service. He writes, “The city would take care of the family and act as a substitute parent during his absence.”

The whole purpose behind the city being a place of restoration and refreshment to families is redemptive. Tim Kellar writes, “As we are to redeem human families by spreading within them the family of God, so we are to redeem human cities by spreading within them the city of God.” With that in mind Christian families should not run from the city for protection, rather they should run to it for redemption.

Knowing that the city is a place of restoration and refreshment for families, the reality of the city being a place of refuge is also a biblical reality. The very design of ancient cities made it clear that they were places of refuge that provided protection for the residents therein. The walls that surrounded the city were bulwarks which were not easily penetrated. In modern cities, walls of protection are not erected for the inhabitants, but the city is still to be a refuge for people.

Scripture provides a biblical mandate of compassion for the poor and their needs and the city appears to be the best place to fulfill such a mandate. Israel was all to aware of this. Olver reminds Christians of the Jewish Law, which made Israel's mandate of concern for the poor.

Tied closely to the city being a refuge is the reality of the city as a place for shelter for minorities, aliens, and strangers. Again, a reflection on Jerusalem after Pentecost provides us with an example of this reality. God’s people sheltered the strangers and met their needs within the confines of the city. They did what they had to do to make sure that the needs of the strangers and aliens were met. Luke records that God’s people “were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all as any had need” (Acts 2:45). Without a comprehensive immigration plan in place, God met the needs of those he had called into the city by means of the redemptive culture that came through the Cross of Christ.

Linked to provision for minorities, aliens and strangers is the reality that cities should be a place of hospitality. That is to say, cities should be a welcoming place because God’s redeemed people dwell within it. The Old Testament presents multiple pictures of cities made up of sinful, rebellious individuals who fail to practice hospitality. While we can reflect on the reality of these ancient accounts, the inhospitable acts in Judges 19:16-30 seem to reflect much of our modern cities where crime, sexual immorality, and general moral decay take the place of hospitable service for the alien and stranger. This should not be so for God’s people who were once alienated from God, but who were shown grace and mercy even while they were yet sinners (Rom 5:8). The city should be a reflection of the open arms with which Christians were received by God instead of being places of decadence, with individuals seeking to serve self in isolation instead of serving others within the community. While the cities of the world have become dumping grounds for the refuse of society, the reality that those who are seen as “refuse” are the ones whom Jesus seems to be asking the question, “Who is my neighbor?”

Cities are to be a place where the poor can survive. The city offers means of employment or social services, which are absent in areas without an urban center. The cumulative wealth of a city enables those who are lacking to find daily sustenance. Jesus states “you always have the poor with you” (Matt 26:11) and with that in mind, Christians in the city should look on the plight of the poor with compassion from the standpoint of being individuals who themselves are “poor in spirit” (Matt 5:3). Christians in the city need to remember that it is God who is the benefactor. They are simply called to be the instruments used to distribute his bountiful blessing of common grace. However, under sin, Christians tend to run from the city and its poverty and allow the exploitation of those whom they are called to defend. What Jesus laments over, his people often ignore! There should be no surprise then that government has taken over in providing welfare while the church is absent.

The city is to be a cultural and human development center. The variety of cultures and ethnicities within any given city provide a “concentration of human talent,” which should not be ignored. A city being redeemed by the Lord through His people is able to tap into the wealth of resources which individuals with different perspectives, talents, and experience bring to the table. Rather than “making a name for themselves” (Gen 11:4) a missional focus within the city harnesses the eclectic talent in order to produce “greater works of art science, technology and culture.”

A city left to itself will manifest idols of the heart seen in sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” (Gal 5:19-21). However, a redeemed people, who understand that God’s common grace is at work even in the lives of those who walk according to the flesh, will seize the opportunity to find a way, through the cultural mine of opportunity, to serve others, encourage the downtrodden, and provide an overall “shalom” for those who dwell within the city, which will provide fertile ground for the Gospel to “take root.”

While being a cultural and human development center, the city is also to be a blessing to the world. The city serves the world population in many ways including social justice, education, and place of economic development. However, with these services comes a responsibility to be a good steward of what has been entrusted. More often than not, the city becomes a place from which oppression flows rather than blessing and a course is set for the rest of the world. Jerusalem was to be a light to the nations. It was to be a beacon of hope in a dark world. However, it became a “filthy thing” (Lamentations 1:17) because of its inhabitants. Nonetheless, there is coming a time when the City of God will be the “light” by which the “nations will walk” (Rev 21:25). While the full reality of this is yet to come, the present reality of cities being a “light to the world” will come when the God’s people refuse to abandon the city and in turn hand it over to the kingdom of darkness. Christians need to understand and show their belief in the fact that the “earth is the Lords and all that is in it” (1 Cor 10:26).

Finally, there is a mandate for urban ministry in considering the fact that the city is to be a place of worship. It is here that the battle between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of God is most ferocious. While the city is a wealth of resources, it also provides a plethora of religious idolatry, which vies for men’s souls. The cults, false religions, new age thinking, agnostic fronts, and all other aspects of idolatry find their home within the city. There should be no surprise here. Satan has targeted cities because of their influence. While this is a reality that creates intense struggles within the city, full and final victory belongs to the Lord and all the “cities” of Babylon will one day be thrown down (Rev 18:21) because “salvation and glory and power belong to God” (Rev 19:1). That is to say, the cities of the world do not belong to Satan. His influence may be there but God is ultimately calling worshipers who have lived in the city (Rev 18:4) to join together as a great multitude to inhabit the New Jerusalem where they will “reign forever and ever” (Rev 22:5).

In conclusion, in every city throughout this world, a battle is raging. It is a battle between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light. However, the battle has already been won. When Christ gave his life to redeem a people, the ultimate reality of this redemption culminates in the “new heavens and new earth.” Therefore, despite the war, the city is actually a place of triumph and Christians need to look at it as a place which God loves and longs to redeem. God has not abandoned the city. James' “proof of faith” beckons the church to take action in the urban areas of the world. This is not an option. And while the church can be assured and confident in the expectant hope of future grace, it needs to remember that until He returns there is a mandate, which brings with it a serious penalty if neglected. Jesus states, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave me no food...” (Matthew 25:41-43). Here, Olver highlights the fact that there is not an option regarding the church's response to the needs of the poor, who are found in droves in cities around the world. In the end, while there is no question that there is a basis for urban minister, the real test comes in filling the mandate to “Go!”

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Jefferson Street Baptist Center

733 East Jefferson Street

Louisville, KY 40202

Phone: 502.584.6543

Email: info@jeffersonstreet.org

Fax: 502.584.4377

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