The SIAFU Guidebook

Part I : Assembling God’s Warriors

53

Choose a Side, Make a Stand: Why You and Your Church Have an Important Part to Play in Your City’s Transformation

So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. ~ 1 Kings 18.20-21 In a fight as cosmic as the spiritual battle of the ages, and in a battle as important as the very survival of our cities, no urban church, or urban leader, or urban Christian can afford to sit on the sidelines, avoiding the conflict that ultimately will touch us all. You and your church must declare yourselves on the Lord’s side. Like young David, you must stir yourselves up against any and all opposition to the Kingdom of God, and make yourselves available to do whatever you can to represent the Nazarene with honor where you are. Let urban disciples of Jesus respond to his call, making themselves available to be used of the Lord to do whatever is necessary to see the Kingdom of God advanced, the Gospel declared, and the wholeness, freedom, and justice of God’s reign displayed in their good works in their neighborhoods, for Christ’s glory. No one can afford to neglect this call. Let all who can, enlist in this great army, allowing themselves to be equipped, so the great Captain of their salvation may deploy them wherever he will.