I. Key Questions:
- Why are there so many churches and ministries, especially in communities that have visible problems and pathologies? Do they contribute to the problem or the solution?
- Why are so many churches seemingly disconnected from each other in the urban context?
- Why is so much energy and passion expended in urban ministry, with so little results?
- Why are the resources of ministry so often “bottled up” in the suburbs, while the inner cities struggle for survival?
- How does one evaluate an urban ministry?
- When is the “performing of social services” counter-productive?
- How do we create genuine community in the City?
II. To Prepare: Bible Study
Read John 15 and James 2. John expresses important characteristics about the nature of Christ-centered community, including productivity, discipline, faithfulness, interconnectedness, love, friendship, blessing, external hostility and persecution, and the work of the Holy Spirit. James, perhaps his brother, addresses issues of favoritism, discrimination, moral purity, mercy, deeds and actions, and hospitality. You may want to identify these characteristics by their specific verses.
- What is the ultimate character of the urban ministry of which you are a part, or wish to be?
- Where do you find these characteristics in the experience of others in your life?
- Where do you find these characteristics in your own life?
- What do these chapters have in common with each other?
- What then is the “spirit” of hospitality from a Christian perspective?
- How does the ministry communicate a spirit of hospitality to those it serves?
- What communities are you a part of (or desire to be a part of)? How do (will) you influence and impart that spirit in the urban context?
- What defines “fruit” in your immediate or potential ministry? When should “unfruitful”urban ministry be terminated?
Continue with Session 5