Cities are complex. There is so much need. So many opportunities and possibilities.

You know God is calling you to engage in the urban harvest. You know the task is too big to accomplish by yourself. You know you need a team, but where do you start?

Practical Urban Mission - Part 3

Today, we continue to look at the second essential element - discerning how God is already working so we can respond in prayer and action. Practising curiosity and attentiveness can help us “listen” to God.

The People Map is a visual tool that helps us listen.

Practical Urban Mission - Part 2

The current series, Practical Urban Mission, opened by introducing three essential elements in transformative urban outreach.

Today, we’ll look at a second essential element - 15 questions to help us practically “listen” and discern how God is already working so we can respond in prayer and action.

I have had a number of cross-cultural assignments in over the last 25 years.

The "what" was clear.

Less clear was the "how".

Each urban context is different. There are no guaranteed formulae to success. However, we are seeing patterns across different cities.

Practical Urban Mission - Part 1

God is at work, people are dissatisfied with the brokenness they see and experience, but the vast majority of residents in our cities are not responding to Jesus' Good News.

There is a disconnect here. How can we, as urban harvest workers, be more effective at connecting the dots?

Overcoming Challenges in Evangelism - Part 2 of 2

Evangelism is often framed as if God gave us the Great Commission from a distance and sent us off to make it happen on our own.

But IS God actually distant and uninvolved apart from giving us the command? Scripture speaks profoundly into this question in a liberating and life-giving way.

Overcoming Challenges in Evangelism - Part 1 of 2

Recently I wrote about some common challenges faced by both Christians and un-churched people relating to evangelism.

My personal wrestle with these challenges & Scripture led to two powerful paradigm shifts that resolved the tension and opened up exciting new possibilities.

Today we look at the first of these Scripturally-based paradigm shifts.

We recognise that the vast majority have said "No" to our evangelistic approaches and they are not changing their minds.

This creates challenges both for followers of Jesus and for seekers.

God's Gospel invitation is often framed primarily as an invitation to have sins forgiven, receive eternal life, and/or enjoy a more prosperous life. Each of these invitations distracts and confuses those we are inviting. These things might be by-products or consequences of God’s invitation, but they’re not the main thing. God’s central invitation is for us to step back into a surrendered and trusting relationship with Himself - the loving Father King.

God’s end-vision for Creation is a Biblically explicit, universal constant. He is restoring His Kingdom and bringing all things back into harmony and unity under His loving reign and rule. At the human level, He is inviting us to participate in His Kingdom as beloved Sons and Daughters who join with Him to help others do the same. In essence, this is discipleship that replicates.

The pressures of life and the demands of those around us are loud and persistent. So much of what we pour ourselves into is temporary. Only the things of God will endure. It’s important we periodically check the details of His invitation and make sure we are in sync with Him. God is offering a profound invitation to us.

Those of us in cities are constantly faced with two realities that should keep us curious and humble. Firstly, the incredible complexity of urban environments. Secondly, the awesomeness of God.