1) Urban mission is the evangelization of cities. It involves preaching the gospel to the poor, healing the brokenhearted, and liberating the oppressed. 2) There are barriers to urban mission like a lack of cooperation between churches. However, God never intended us to work alone and has placed many people in cities to partner with. 3) God's strategy for urban mission is for the church in cities to work as one body through partnerships and shared resources, rather than independently. When the church functions as one united body, the city can be reached more effectively.

1. Introduction to Urban Mission
“For I have much people in this city.”
Acts 18:10

2. Part I
Perceptions, Barriers and Strategies

3. SURVEY

4. Definitions
“City” “Inner City”
A center of population, The older and more
commerce, and culture; a populated and (usually)
town of significant size poorer central section of a
and importance. city.

5. Definitions
“Urban” “Rural”
Of, relating to, or located Of, relating to, or
in a city; Characteristic characteristic of the
of the city or city life. country.

6. Definitions
“Ghetto” “Community”
A section of a city A district or area with
occupied by a minority distinctive
group who live there characteristics.
especially because of
social, economic, or
legal pressure.

7. Definitions
“Downtown” “Suburb”
The lower part or the A usually residential
business center of a city area or community
or town. outlying a city.

8. Definitions
“Metropolis” “Cosmopolis”
A major city, especially A large city inhabited by
the chief city of a country people from many different
countries.
or region.

9. Definitions
“Micro-ministry” “Macro-studies”
Dealing with individuals A vast scope of
and their needs in the city. investigation—sociology,
anthropology, economics,
Charles Van Engen, God So Loves the City,
politics, etc.
pp. 246
Charles Van Engen, God So Loves the City,
pp. 246

10. PERCEPTIONS OF THE CITY

11. BARRIERS TO URBAN MISSION

12. A Major Hindrance
Lack of co-operation between churches,
and between church and para-church
organisations, resulting in waste of
limited resources.
“Christian Witness to Large Cities,” Lausanne Committee for World
Evangelization, 1980

13. EXEGETING THE CITY

14. The Church at Corinth
“For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to
hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.”
Acts 18:10

15. What is God’s mission to the city?

16. The Mission of Christ
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath
anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he
hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight
to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Lk. 4:18-19

17. WHAT IS URBAN MISSION?

18. Urban mission is the
evangelization of the city.
Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization
www.lausanne.org
Evangelize (euangelizo): to bring good news

19. Can our cities be saved?
“This know also, that in the last days
perilous times shall come.”
2 Tim. 3:1

20. Group Activity:
Mission Opportunities in the City
“For a great door and effectual is open to me
and there are many adversaries.”
1 Cor. 16:9

21. Conclusion:
The needs in the city are indeed too big for one
person or one congregation or organization.
But praise God! He never intended for us
to work alone!
God is with us AND he has much
people in the city.

22. Part II
No Schism

23. Definitions
“Koinonia”
“God is faithful, by whom
Communion, fellowship, ye were called unto the
sharing in common fellowship (koinonia) of
his Son Jesus Christ our
Lord.” 1 Cor. 1:9

24. Definitions
“Communion” “Fellowship”
The act or an instance of The condition of sharing
sharing, as of thoughts similar interests, ideals,
or feelings. or experiences, as by
reason of profession,
religion, or nationality.

25. God’s Urban Mission Strategy:
ONE BODY
building
ONE CHURCH
for
ONE CITY

26. An Ideal Relationship
The ideal relationship for the world Christian
community is one of interdependence with a
recognized system for shared decision-making and
resource allocation. Until that is resolved there will
continue to be tensions and resource imbalances.
Wilbert Shenk, Changing Frontiers of Mission, pp. 114

27. The Church at Rome
“And the night following the Lord stood by him and
said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast
testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear
witness also at Rome.” Acts 23:11

28. Can our body be healed?
“And whether one member suffer, all the members
suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the
members rejoice with it.” 1 Cor. 12:26

29. Group Activity:
Mission Partnerships in the City
“For we are labourers together
with God.” 1 Cor. 3:9

30. Conclusion:
God gave us a diversity of members so that there
would be no schism in the body (1 Cor. 12:25).
Schism comes when we think we can do it alone, that
we don’t need our other members to fully function.