Dr. Glenn A. Barth, Jr.
(Taken directly from pages 179-181 of his doctoral dissertation, A Centered Set
pproach to Urban Ministry, May 2008, Bakke Graduate University.)

In a local congregation, the question might be asked, why should our pastor or our members become engaged in a city transformation movement in our city? This is a fundamental question that every facilitator of a city reaching movement needs to be prepared to answer. Here are seven reasons for a local church to be involved.

1. Jesus’ prayer for our unity in John 17 makes it clear that this is a central issue to our Lord. If it is important enough to Jesus that he prays for us to be one, as He and the Father are one, who are we to actively resist his Lordship at this point? Second, Paul’s ministry has unity at the center. Paul is entrusted with a new revelation of the oneness of all who are in Christ: Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female. Given that we are only two thousand years from the time of our Lord’s incarnation, in the scope of eternity, this is still a new revelation to be lived out in a fresh way during our brief lives on earth. A city transformation movement gives us the opportunity to break out of the homogeneous unit principle and demonstrate oneness that crosses the barriers of race, gender, generation, and socioeconomic class.

2. God values the city. As noted in the values and principles of International Urban Associates (IUA):

"the Bible begins in a garden but ends in the city. We see more than 100 cities mentioned in the Bible and that Jesus wept over his own city (Luke 19:41). Biblically, we see that it is not enough to value only the persons of the city and not the place. We see that cities are places of refuge and grace for many, that structures which are efficient and just are gifts of common grace for many. We see that healthy persons benefit from healthy families and families benefit from healthy communities. We, therefore commit IUA to an ecological theology that is both creative and redemptive for persons and places. And so we seek both the spiritual transformation of persons and the social transformation of places, until our Lord comes or calls us."1

3. Caring for the least is a central theme throughout the Bible. God demonstrates “unrelenting concern for the poor, widows, migrants, unemployed (and underemployed), sick persons, prisoners, aliens, victims and refugees.” 2

4. Increased impact for our witness comes with raised visibility, which happens when Christians are engaged in prayerful, humble acts of service. When our actions are in line with our words, the impact of our witness is increased. It is strengthened further when we act together. The people who are served take notice. Leadership, both secular and sacred, take notice.

5. Fellowship and support for the pastor is a key benefit. Many pastors feel isolated in their calling even though they care for many people each day. Pastors are strengthened when they have other pastors who they can talk and pray with. 3

6. A healthier place to raise children is created when the church works together to create a safe, creative environment where people are valued, young and old, both poor and rich.

7. Knowing your allies is important when there are issues that need to be addressed. When Christians understand something needs to be changed and addressed quickly, but they are isolated, they will feel impotent. Empowerment comes when people know they are not alone.

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1 Ray Bakke, “The Biblical Values and Principles of International Urban Associates” (Chicago, International Urban Associates, 1990), 1.
2 Ibid., 1.
3Gary D. Kinnaman and Alfred H. Ells, Leaders that Last: How Covenant Friendships can Help Pastors Thrive (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2003).