Foundations for Christian Mission, Mentor's Guide, MG04

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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

Christian Mission and the City

Welcome to the Mentor’s Guide for Lesson 3, Christian Mission and the City . The overall focus of this lesson is on the significance of the city to mission, built upon a biblical and exegetically informed vision of the city. As has been argued throughout this module, we are seeking to provide the students with a broad-based, biblical foundation for Christian Mission that helps them understand the parts in light of the whole. That is to say, our intention is to see the work of God in the world through history, and then, as best we can, understand the role and scope of mission through that history. This requires us to keep our focus on the “ the big picture ” rather than being lost in any given dimension of mission, however important it might be. The concept of the city and our task to both give prophetic witness to it and do justice and mercy within it is rooted in our grasp of the Church’s entire mission . J. A. Kirk offers a comprehensive summary of what he believes the Church’s tasks of mission should be in light of the theology of God’s working in the world we encounter there: The church’s mission can be summed up in five general tasks. The order in which they are listed is not intended to suggest priorities. Biblically speaking each is vitally important. By stressing one more than the others, different groups of Christians have tended to see them as alternatives. God, however, allows us no choice. 1. It is to be involved in stewarding the material resources of creation. This means encouraging a wise and harmonious use of the natural order created by God, by engaging in the numerous aspects of conservation and the elimination of pollution. The church will point to the creator’s gift of life for all which implies renouncing greed, and a restrained enjoyment of material goods by all in such a way that future generations will find life sustainable on earth. 2. It is to serve human beings without distinction and whatever their need. It has a compassionate task to aid refugees and the victims of drought and famine and to help set up development schemes, literacy campaigns, health education and housing programs. It has a particular responsibility to minister to the needs of the handicapped, old people, the bereaved, children

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