1. International Institute of Christian Discipleship
CS 08
Urban Mission 01 Version 2 (for Academic Settings)
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists ®

2. Objectives & Requirements
Grasp dynamic nature of urban life.
Express own feelings about urban life, and read Bible as an urban document.
Explore and plan specific strategies for reaching secular, urban people.
Apply lessons learned to own urban setting
Requirements:
Attend & participate in entire class
Submit written work

3. Urban Mission 101
Today over half the world lives in cities. How did we get where we are?

4. Urban Mission 101 Megacities Metropolitan areas Global cities
Megalopolis

5. Urban Mission 101 In 1800 3% of population was urban
At end of 20th century 47% was urban
By agglomerations of +1M
Approaching 5 Billion urban by 2030

6. Urban Mission 101
What has been the pattern in urban growth? When did it begin to change dramatically? What factors led to this? What would see to have been the movement pattern of the churches during this time? Why?

7. Urban Mission 101
What have been the changes in the city nearest you? What factors have led to this? How has your congregation related to these changes? Why?

8. Urban Mission 101
What changes on the part of your congregation should have happened?
Why?
What positive changes have other congregations in your area made?

9. Urban Mission 101
What migration patterns are recorded in the Scriptures?
What changes did urbanization appear to cause?
What was Gods part in these migrations?

10. Urban Mission 101
What are the barriers to movement in your neighborhood, around your church? How are these helpful? How are these unhelpful? How might they be changed?

11. The sociological view of cities The anthropological view of cities
Urban Mission 101
Both are necessary for balance
The sociological view of cities
The anthropological view of cities

12. Urban Mission 101 Social order may differ
Cities do not exist in opposition to rural areas
Cities differ from each other
Cities are parts of larger social structures

13. Urban Mission 101 Cities as geopolitical centers
Diversity the most dominant characteristic
Other class differences and groupings

14. Urban Mission 101 Other factors: Specialization Hierarchy Change
Networks

15. Urban Mission 101 Reflect on the society in which you grew up.
If you have moved from one to the other, how did you feel?
Where do you feel most comfortable today?

16. Urban Mission 101 Is your congregation essentially urban or rural?
Do you view the Bible as essentially a rural or urban book?

17. Urban Mission 101
Note these three myths about urban secular people. What takes the place of spiritual realities?

18. Urban Mission 101
Reflect on the ten common characteristics of secular people

19. Urban Mission 101 Provide numerous ministries of instruction
Invite people to dedicate their lives to Jesus
Help secular people find meaning

20. Urban Mission 101 Engage secular people in dialogue
Be a communicator, not a commentator
Address secular people’s doubts and questions
Provide opportunities to meet credible Christians

21. Urban Mission 101 Engage in ministries of affirmation
Provide support systems
Identify and reach receptive people
Offer culturally appropriate forms of worship

22. Urban Mission 101 Multiply units of church plantings
Offer ministries that meet felt needs
Engage secular people on their “turf”
A warning about technology
Think about diverse schedules

23. Urban Mission 101 Please share your proposal
Make this a community affair by further clarifying and enhancing the proposals
Close with prayer of commitment for all the proposals