This introductory course invites students from diverse backgrounds—whether from bustling urban centers in the Global South like Capetown, Mumbai or São Paulo, or from communities in the Global North such as London, New York or Toronto—to explore the evolution and nature of human communities through geographical, historical, religious, and sociological lenses. Drawing on the Missio Dei, or the mission of God, we examine how God's redemptive work unfolds in communities worldwide, calling us to participate in His ongoing mission of reconciliation and renewal. Special emphasis is placed on the sociology of global urban centers, where rapid growth in cities across Africa, Asia, and beyond shapes social structures, cultural dynamics, and everyday life. Students investigate community formation and change, patterns of cooperation within and between communities, strategies for claiming communities for Christ through holistic engagement, and the urgent need to address community and urban concerns. Central to the course is the concept of community transformation, which begins with personal and spiritual transformation—fostering inner renewal through faith in Christ—as the foundation for broader "community care" and the communitarian mission. This approach equips students to contribute to thriving communities by addressing vulnerabilities, promoting empathy, and advocating for gospel-centered change that restores relationships with God, others, and creation.
In an era where cities dominate modern life, as highlighted in Cities and Urban Life (Macionis and Parrillo, 2013), urban spaces converge "everything human—art, music, business, traditions, what we love and hate." This is especially true in the Global South, where cities in Africa and Asia are expanding at unprecedented rates, creating vibrant yet challenging environments for billions. By integrating the Missio Dei, this course helps students understand how God's mission intersects with these urban realities, offering tools to navigate and influence them. Students from both the Global North and South alike will gain sociological insights into urban centers—such as migration patterns, social inequalities, and cultural pluralism—empowering them to engage meaningfully in their own contexts. Through a focus on community transformation, students learn how personal spiritual growth sparks collective change, enhancing skills in community care like providing support for the vulnerable and fostering collaborative initiatives. This not only builds intercultural competence but also prepares students for a communitarian mission that prioritizes community well-being, making them agents of hope and freedom in Christ amid global urbanization.
As the world urbanizes rapidly, with a majority of people living in or migrating to communities and cities—particularly in the Global South—understanding these spaces is essential for joining God's mission. The Missio Dei reminds us that God is already at work in every community, inviting us to participate in His redemptive plan for reconciliation and flourishing. This course underscores the sociology of global urban centers, where issues like poverty, cultural diversity, and social fragmentation demand attention, offering opportunities to address them through faith-driven action. At its core, it emphasizes community transformation: starting with personal and spiritual transformation, where individuals experience renewal in Christ, this extends to community care—acts of support, empathy, and resource-sharing that tackle vulnerabilities—and fuels the communitarian mission of empowering communities to thrive in alignment with God's desires. For first-year students from varied global contexts, this knowledge equips them to build resilient communities, relocate thoughtfully to urban areas, and collaborate with God in bringing hope, freedom, and holistic restoration to people and places worldwide.
Grounded in a biblical worldview, the course draws on Scriptures like Romans 12:4-5 (NIV): "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." This illustrates how communities mirror the body of Christ, emphasizing unity amid diversity. We explore how the Missio Dei, seen in God's mission from Genesis to Revelation, calls for personal spiritual transformation as the starting point for community care and broader renewal.
Aligned with the Missio Dei, our aim is to discern how God is actively working in communities globally, from megacities in the Global South to suburbs in the North, and to join Him in that mission. Through sociological analysis of urban centers, students learn to identify opportunities for communitarian mission—advocating for gospel-centered community thriving that begins with individual transformation and extends to addressing social vulnerabilities through compassionate action.
Communities have deep historical roots, often predating modern cities, and many thrive when members support one another, evolving into advocacy networks in urban settings. The course examines these contexts, including the unique sociological dynamics of global urban centers like those in Asia and Africa, where rapid change influences daily life. This informs how community transformation—rooted in personal renewal—can adapt to local needs, fostering sustainable care and mission.
Every student, regardless of their background in the Global North or South, belongs to multiple communities: neighborhoods, churches, ethnic groups, workplaces, and more. This course highlights intercultural dynamics in urban sociology, showing how diverse communities intersect worldwide. It encourages participation in the Missio Dei by promoting community care that respects cultural differences, starting with spiritual transformation to build empathy and unity across borders.
Students receive hands-on tools for making a difference, such as assessing urban social structures, planning community initiatives, and implementing transformation strategies. Emphasizing the communitarian mission, the course teaches how personal spiritual growth leads to practical acts of community care—like supporting the elderly, homeless, or marginalized—equipping students to address real-world urban concerns in their home contexts.
Beyond theory, the course offers opportunities to apply concepts in students' lives, such as reflective exercises on personal transformation and community projects. By living out the Missio Dei in urban-focused scenarios, students experience spiritual and communal renewal, integrating sociology with faith to become transformed agents of community care and mission.
