What should our posture towards the city be? Is our primary role simply to populate heaven or is there more? What about the here and now? What about declining neighborhoods or degraded urban districts? Urban Ministry is far from simple being engaged in "spiritual activities" in the city. The gospel has far-reaching societal implications.
This course will significantly enlarge the student's view of ministry in the city. It is at this intersection where we even begin crossing over into other disciplines where the students may be involved in professionally. This course then transcends into many other jobs, careers, ministries, and professions whether it is deemed "ministry" or not.
After Pentecost the gospel traveled the Roman roads throughout the empire landing in cities in then the most urbanized region in the world. The early church was multicultural and urban. In many ways this course gets back to the ethos and urban milieu present in the first century church found in Acts and the NT epistles.
Since the city is the focal point for missional engagement, it is imperative for students to think through the implications for doing so in an urban environment.
This course narrows the focus specifically to ministry in urban areas. As a result it is context-driven. The city directly influences how ministry is to be done.
ities are the centers of culture and multiculturalism. Even in seemingly monocultural cities like Beijing or Shanghai there are also present myriads of tribes and ethnic groups that are not always readily visible to the naked eye.
Students will be exposed to new ways to creative engage the city with the gospel
Ministry by nature is hands-on. Throughout the semester students will learn skills to assist them in everyday ministry in the city.
