Foundations for Christian Mission, Student Workbook, SW04

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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

* Does it thrill you that Jesus is building us a city to dwell in forever? Be as honest as possible in your response. Do you understand mission as robbing the cities of the world in order to fill up and populate the New Jerusalem, the true mother of all believers?

Being a Chaplain or Playing Compromise?

The notion of the Church as the chaplain of the city is rooted in the instruction of the Lord through Jeremiah to the people of Judah before their captivity into Babylon. Rather than have them be discouraged and despondent in Babylon, God instructed them to raise their families within it, and to seek its welfare: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: [5] Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. [6] Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. [7] But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jer. 29.4-7). This case of the Babylonian captivity raises questions regarding the stance that believers ought to take in regard to a wicked and ungodly city. Rather than oppose it and stir up trouble within it, God advocates that his people build their families in the midst of the city, raise their families there, and to even multiply and grow there. The command to seek its welfare seems controversial; how can the well-being of the people of God be directly tied to the safety and security of Babylon, the symbol of idolatrous and rebelliousness before God? What does God’s instruction to the Israelites tell us about the nature of the people of God to the city, and what lessons can we learn from this for our application today?

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Staying Put or Moving Up and Out?

A major and growing African-American urban church is struggling with a decision about whether to stay in its current location, or move to a more advancing and upscale part of the community. With a dynamic pastor who is committed to the Word and the advance of the Kingdom, the church has steadily grown in number, influence, and resources. With a strong cache of leaders who are capable and submissive, and a congregation eager to serve, the leaders are seriously considering if they should move. Landlocked because of the property situation they are in, they