Foundations for Christian Mission, Mentor's Guide, MG04

/ 1 6 9

F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

self-dependence and rebellion into an image of refuge (i.e., the cities of Refuge), as well as the image of reconciliation , a place which can know and experience his forgiveness and blessing (i.e., Jonah and the experience of Nineveh). Because of the mercy and grace of Almighty God in Christ, hope exists for any city which repents in the face of his judgment, yields in the face of his demands, and seeks his mercy in the face of his punishment. Three critical reasons exist to sufficiently show why urban mission must be a priority for all mission activity today: the city is the seat of influence, power, and spiritual activity in the world, it is becoming a magnet for the oppressed, the broken, and the poor, and the city is seen as the picture of our spiritual destiny and inheritance. The city played an important role in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus’ own ministry of kingdom proclamation was rooted in city work, and his proclamation mandate centered around Jerusalem. Furthermore, Christianity was birthed in a city, and spread through the Roman empire in the first century via the great urban centers of the time (in places such as Damascus, Antioch, Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica, Athens, and Rome itself). Many of the same problems and opportunities connected with the cities of Jesus and the apostles’ day exist today in urban populations. The modern cities of the world are numerous in size, scope, and population, and serve as the national and world centers of government, education, health-care, information, entertainment, trade, commerce, business, industry, jurisprudence, the military, and religion. Cities are known today by their identity and focus, whether they are cultural, political and administrative, industrial, commercial, symbolic, or primary cities. The modern cities of the world serve as magnets for the oppressed, the broken, and the poor. The Bible reveals a clear and compelling witness concerning God’s heart for the poor, and if God is concerned for the poor, he likewise is concerned about the American inner city because of its staggering number of underclass and poor families. The city is the picture and symbol of our spiritual destiny and inheritance, the New Jerusalem, where God dwells and Christ is adored. The explicit goal of mission is to rob the cities of the world in order to fill up and populate the New Jerusalem, the true mother of all believers ( God’s final urban renewal project ). Because of the significance of the city both in Scripture and in the modern world, the city must remain at the hub of all missionary enterprise.

3