This is the second post from the ‘Cowtown to Urban Hipster’ series chronicling our transition from small college town campus ministry to large metro area with multiple campuses and 100k students. You can read #1 here. (Don’t miss the great discussion in the comments).
Evangelical Christians used to run from cities, or at least be midly disgusted at what takes place in them. That’s why all the states with big cities were blue states right? Well, except for Texas. Times are changing. The body of Christ is catching on…finally. As of right now more than 50% of the world’s population lives in urban centers and we’re catching on that cities are vital to seeing Christ made known on this planet.
Thus began my discovery of the world’s cities, the incredible brokenness within them and the multitude of college students needing Christ that make their home in the city. Here a few snippets of my life that have given me a heart for the city, perhaps they’ll challenge your thinking.
A couple of years ago I helped lead some students on a spring break trip to Mexico City. At the time it was the 2nd largest city in the world with over 1 million college students! I ate a lot of tacos and began to experience the vast multitudes of those that didn’t know Christ and might not ever hear. I followed that up with a trip to New York City for Jody’s 30th birthday where we visited Tim Keller’s church and got a glimpse of what the body of Christ was doing in the most hip, trendy city on the planet. I discovered that Jesus Christ was relevant there too.
I began to listen to people talk about cities. I would catch myself looking at photo’s of cities. I heard other staff members talk about the great cities of the world, Chicago, L.A., New York, Istanbul, Moscow (Russia..not Idaho 
).
Reading the last chapter in Jonah pushed me over the edge. You might remember it. Jonah has been sent to Nineveh (“that great city”) to tell the people to turn back to God. In the last chapter he’s sitting outside the city waiting for God’s judgment to rain down on the city. (We’ve never had thoughts like that right?) Problem was, nothing happened. God chose to demonstrate his lavish grace. At that point Jonah get’s mad at God because he caused the plant to die that was providing shade for him. God get’s the last word and Jonah get’s a sharp rebuke for caring more about a plant than the souls of the people of Nineveh.
At that time in my life the needs, creativity, brokenness, diversity and beauty of the city had captured my heart. God had/has led us to be a part of a city and to work to make him known in the city.
We’re still figuring all this out and learning to love the city, but if I could summarize my perspective now it would be something like these words I heard a while back. “God loves people more than plants. There are more people than plants in the city. God loves the city more than the wilderness.”
Is Christ relevant in the city? Is the city a place Campus Crusade (and other ministries) should be? What captures your heart and what makes you cringe about the city?
Photo courtesy of airicsson
Other LTI posts kinda like this one:
Waaaaaait a minute… are you implying that evangelical Christians are all Republicans with your blue state/big city comment?
You better be careful which churches you say that in around here.
Wait a minute. You can be a democrat and still be a Christian?! Hahahaha….yep, the diversity in political views, especially within evangelical Christianity in Portland is something I appreciate greatly.
yes, yes yes!! LOVE the city! fall in love and let Him break your heart and then show you His plans for redemption beyond our wildest imagination… you're in good company!
I think the disgust you described might be a kind of fear of the unknown, where there's more likely to be opponents to your faith. It's uncomfortable to be in an environment where your faith isn't automatically affirmed. To make matters worse, there are all these "sinners." Who would want to be surrounded by that?
Jesus! He did it. I'm excited about the prospect of meeting others who are passionate about whatever it may be–environmentalism, politics, pro-choice, gay marriage, etc etc. because for once in my middle-class caucasian upbringing I want to have conversations with people who care about something, instead of trying to educate apathetic marginalized Christians that they live in a broken world.
I remember when the early disciples faced opposition from the leaders in Israel in Acts 5. The leaders wanted to put them to death, but they changed their minds when a Pharisee argued that the apostles would not be stopped if their cause was truly God's. Connecting this passage with all the various "causes" people in Portland subscribe to, I am excited to labor for a cause that cannot be stopped, one that ends in our Lord's victory no matter the circumstances.
My father is deeply passionate about promoting Palestinian civil rights. However, he has seen a lot of futility in his work–things continue to get worse. I'd like to interact with more people in the city to give them hope for a cause that won't spoil or perish or fade. That's one thing that captures my heart about the city.
Love this series so far!
Yes, fear of the unknown is a reality…still is for me and my family. But the I also know that by putting myself in position for God to show up, even though it's a little risky has led to the greatest growth in my life and most joyous experiences of the beauty of the Gospel.
I don't want to be affirmed all the time, I want to be challenged (most of the time) and deeply reliant on the Holy Spirit to use me and direct my steps.
Have you read Eugene Peterson’s Under the Unpredictable Plant? It uses the story of Jonah to discuss loving the soil we (as ministers) have been given. It might be encouraging or otherwise edifying as you begin cherishing new soil. What you said about the Jonah 4 plant made me think about it, and it certainly fits the transition you’re in!
I haven't read it…but I'll check it out. Thanks Benson.