Engaging Urban Affinities - Part 8

Today we're going to dig a little deeper into a powerful concept - being found BY spiritual hunger. This dynamic can transform how we engage with our urban villages.

Engaging Urban Affinities - Part 7

There are many ways to serve hunger for wholeness in an urban village. However, it's easy to create barriers to lasting spiritual fruit.

Here are five crucial questions for us to consider.

‘I am not interested in religion’, declared “Carol”, my Pilates-mate.

It was reported by the Singapore Department of Statistics (2020) that in Singapore, about 20% of the population is not affiliated with any religion, a figure which is steadily increasing.

The rising of trend of ‘no-religion’ presents opportunities.

Engaging Urban Affinities - Part 6

In this article we will talk about looking for spiritual hunger in an urban village.

By “spiritual hunger” I mean a desire that relates specifically to spiritual life. It might be a desire to know God, to walk with Him more closely, to understand the Bible, to grow spiritually, or a desire for greater inner peace or self-control.

Engaging Urban Affinities - Part 5

So much in effective urban mission involves listening and discerning.

In this article, I'm going to zoom in on seeking out the hunger that He is stirring up within the affinity. How can we be confident there is hunger for God's Kingdom? What might that hunger look like?

"That might work in African or Asian villages, but it can't happen here."

Yet in Finland, one of Europe's most secular and individualistic nations, a different story is emerging.

Engaging Urban Affinities - Part 4

In this series we're walking through a 4-step framework for engaging urban affinity groups.
This post continues “Step 2”. How do we discern how God is already at work in our urban villages? Observing and 'listening' are crucial steps before identifying how we might join Him and serve.

I've facilitated and coached a LOT of Discovery Bible Studies over the years and have probably made every mistake there is to make.

Here are seven mistakes I have seen have the biggest impact on helping people to discover and encounter God (or not).

Engaging Urban Affinities - Part 3

Identifying affinity groups helps us break the complexity of the city into bite-size chunks.

Understanding “Urban Villages” helps us take the next step in recognising the opportunities God has placed around us.

10 Ways to Kill a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) (and How to Avoid Them)

Have you ever watched someone try to dig with a shovel held upside down? Discovery Bible Study (DBS) is a powerful tool for helping people encounter God through His Story. When facilitated well, Word and Spirit speak powerfully to open hearts.

B.L.E.S.S. Before You Gather: A Simple Prayer Strategy for Christmas

Christmas is coming! Family gatherings, office parties, and other celebrations create opportunities for meaningful connection. Are we spiritually prepared for these opportunities?

Engaging Urban Affinities - Part 2

Cities are complex. It's easy to spread ourselves too thin across different activities, relationships and commitments.
As we seek to engage affinities in our city, we can often maximise our Kingdom contribution by starting where we are.