Why cities matter stephen um

That doesn't take away from the main thesis of the book, but it seemed like a stretch to try to assert that point. One big question I felt was never answered is what do they feel differentiates urban from rural - at what point is a city a "city" in the sense they're talking about.

Clearly they are writing from an American perspective and assuming that many Christian think in an anti-urban way, which I think is not as much the case as they might think. Overall though, it's a good book, particularly the second half. On the contrary, this is an important book for anyone who wants to have a deep spiritual and transformational impact on a city. It covers much of the same material as Keller did in "Center Church". In fact, Um and Buzzard acknowledge that they relied heavily on Keller.

If you really want to dig deep into urban transformation from a spiritual perspective, read Keller. Excellent sections: Ch 1 The "Keller lite" — the content of this book is not frivolous or unimportant or superficial or spurious. Some thoughts from the book: "Abandoning our worldview [and becoming secular] or privatizing our worldview [and being ineffective or withdrawn] are not the only options The city is where the people live.

And God loves people! And since cities are full of people, we know that God really loves cities. What is your city's history?

What are your city's values? What are your city's dreams? What are your city's fears? What is your city's ethos? Mar 26, Michael rated it it was amazing. A quick and easy read about urban ministry. Neatly organized into six chapters the authors highlight the growth of cities from the ancient world to the present.

In only 14 percent of the world population lived in cities. Today that figure has increased to The fact is that cities are here to stay. Some Christians have tried to avoid them, but cities are not inherently evil as evidenced by the biblical Jerusalem and ultimately the descen A quick and easy read about urban ministry.

Some Christians have tried to avoid them, but cities are not inherently evil as evidenced by the biblical Jerusalem and ultimately the descent of the New Jerusalem when the earth is made new.

Cities are in essence are places where human beings choose to live together. For some it may represent opportunity, and cities of course attract many people who are poor and come with inherent challenges and problems. Yet cities are also centers of influence, wealth, and culture. Every city is unique and has their own idols. The modern Christian with a heart for urban evangelism will do well to study their local city, including to pray to God for a heart for their city.

This was a helpful book that helped me better understand the unique challenges as well as opportunities of proclaiming the gospel to the world, which of necessity will be and must be in an urban context. A brief, digestible book on God's heart for the city and how the gospel--the good news that God did not leave us alone in our sin to face His wrath but sent His only Son Jesus to die in our place, rise again to defeat sin and death, and restore our relationship with God--shapes our attitudes to the city.

We can discern what the city obviously an amalgamation of subcultures and Babel-like narratives wants, aspires to, values, and fears. Some of these aspirations and values will need to be confr A brief, digestible book on God's heart for the city and how the gospel--the good news that God did not leave us alone in our sin to face His wrath but sent His only Son Jesus to die in our place, rise again to defeat sin and death, and restore our relationship with God--shapes our attitudes to the city.

Some of these aspirations and values will need to be confronted and critiqued. But the authors offer a city-loving vision for what it means to hate what brings a city down all the injustices and brokenness and offer a spirit-renewing, body-restoring hope. Jun 04, Geoff rated it it was amazing Shelves: echristian , christianity.

Excellent book on the reasons for a renewed focus on cities in Christian ministry. The authors both pull from their respective life-experiences and a wealth of statistical facts to make a coherent and compelling case for the necessity of engaging in ministry to promote the welfare of the urban centers and the people who flock to them in growing numbers every year.

An insightful and challenging read. Definitely recommended for Christians hoping to make an impact in the world, especially if they r Excellent book on the reasons for a renewed focus on cities in Christian ministry. Definitely recommended for Christians hoping to make an impact in the world, especially if they reside in or near a major metropolitan center.

Jul 05, Greg rated it really liked it Shelves: missiology , christian-living. A great book for both church planters and to anyone who wonders why city churches and urban ministries need to be a priority. Being from a small town and only living in towns that have been a little bit bigger, I learned a lot about the needs of the city and a desire to reach them because that is where more and more people are gathering and it is a place of influence and worship. This book is easily adaptable for other ministries as well.

I will use parts of it in addressing the needs of the col A great book for both church planters and to anyone who wonders why city churches and urban ministries need to be a priority. I will use parts of it in addressing the needs of the college campus which has many similar issues that relate to cities. Great read and well written. Sep 17, Aaron Carpenter rated it really liked it. Though I'm not entirely sure whether the authors are coming from an a-mil or post-mil perspective, they create a compelling argument for the church to refocus its priorities on urban church plants.

And not only an argument, but a plan for addressing the multifaceted challenges of the city. And not only cities proper - though that is their emphasis - but in any local ministry, this book offers a helpful guide for contextualized ministry and natural points of contact between the culture and the Go Though I'm not entirely sure whether the authors are coming from an a-mil or post-mil perspective, they create a compelling argument for the church to refocus its priorities on urban church plants.

And not only cities proper - though that is their emphasis - but in any local ministry, this book offers a helpful guide for contextualized ministry and natural points of contact between the culture and the Gospel. A bit redundant in places, but overall very helpful and encouraging read. Nov 19, Christina rated it it was amazing Shelves: the-city. This is a fantastic, readable and relatively short treatise on the importance of cities to our world, shaping culture and society, and why Christians should care about them.

As a lover of personal stories and the very practical and applicable, I would have only requested that the authors include more anecdotes of their experiences in their cities. Whether or not you agree with all its details, this book supplies what has been lacking. They do a terrific job in teasing out a rich biblical theology of cities that roots their cultural analysis in a thoughtful and faithful framework. After reading the book, I wanted to call a real estate agent and tell them to find me a place in the city.

Um and Buzzard show us that cities are not to be shunned but loved with the full breath of the Gospel. You will not be able to think about cities in the same old ways after reading this book. This book is a call to get a jumpstart on that civic future now, as we labor to secure an eternal city for others. We need Christians wherever there are people—rural, urban, and suburban—but urbanization is happening so quickly worldwide that the church is in need of a special summons to the cities.

These two pastors from Boston and the Bay helped renew my sense of call to the Twin Cities, and likely will do the same for you in your locale—or be the catalyst for some new civic venture God is moving you toward in our increasingly urban world. But you do need to know God loves the city, so the church should, too. The Characteristics of Cities 3. The Bible and the City 4. Contextualization in the City 5. The Storyline of the City 6. Ministry Vision for the City.

How will the church respond to this need and opportunity? With fresh insight, a compelling vision, and biblical reflection, Stephen Um and Justin Buzzard provide resources and answers to how the church can respond to this need.

This book will be an essential guide to discerning leaders who know that cities matter and want to engage those cities well. What has been lacking is a short, reasonably comprehensive, impassioned, and simply written survey of the trends and issues, combined with unwavering commitment to the eternal gospel and a transparent love for the city.

Whether or not you agree with all its details, this book supplies what has been lacking. Sodom and Gomorrah and upholds agrarian ideals i. Jesus himself often wandered in the wilderness. New York has a diversity of specialities for example, though obviously is finance heavy. As for the Bible, other than Jerusalem, cities are portrayed very negatively almost top to bottom in the Old Testament. Jesus did do a lot of small town type ministry. However, the early church was an almost exclusively urban movement.

And the usual case relies on an argument from that and the vision in Revelation of a New Jerusalem. Cain built the first city and it was reviled by the Holy One. I once lived with a roommate who was quite specific about being an Agnostic, and he displayed an equal level of disinterest in Atheism as he did Christianity. Cities fail because they are destined to do so. A city can be a center of functioning society with people in it.

God has not promised to save cities and nations but to create one nation out of all nations, His sheep who hear His voice and obey Him by His grace and for His Glory. James I agree with you the most among all the interesting comments. The Gospel of Christ that converts people and gives them an inheritance in the Celestial city also makes them suitable to flourish in the present evil age; that is; in the cities where we have been placed.

Cities are a special place to proclaim Christ and his kingdom. I believe that cities without a strong sense of humility and gratitude before God and a clear sense of divine purpose for mankind living in cities, will be just very boastful places filled with impressive buildings.

Love and the compassionate use of wealth, along with innovation and economic productivity, make a city sustainable and noble.